Your child’s room ought to be the place where they feel safest, but there are plenty of potential hazards parents need to be aware of. Here’s how to combat any potential dangers and make your child’s room completely safe.
Finding the right window locks
Windows need to be secured in a way that your child can not open if unsupervised. 7 out of every 10 children whose room is located on the 1st floor and in the US, and 5,000 children fall from windows each year. All parents should be aware that falls are common, but with the right window locks, they are easily preventable.
Casement Windows
Casement windows are also known as crank windows, they open outward by turning a handle anticlockwise or clockwise. Security 201, who are a business based in West Sussex who specialise in window locks. They suggest that mortice locks are the best for Casement windows. However, they also suggest other alternatives, such as wood Casement and Fanlight Lock W106.
Hung Windows
Single or double hung windows are pushed both upwards and downwards. Security 201 recommend Sash Stop W121 and the Sash Window Lock W107. However, for added safety you could include a Window Stop and Window Guard.
Reed Brothers Security state that most window locks are relatively inexpensive, simple to install, and easy to operate. However, if you’re not 100% sure it will be best to consult with a professional.
Sliding Windows
Unlike hung windows, sliding windows are opened horizontally. As well as installing a Window Stop and Window Guard, parents should really consider installing a charley bar. Not only can these be used as a window lock, they will also prevent any small children or pets inadvertently opening the window. According to PreDoors.com, charley bars are also easy to install, meaning it’s something you can do yourself without the help of professionals.
Securing and clearing furniture in the room
It’s important to take a blanket or pillows approach to safety in your child’s room in order to make it a safe place for them to spend time alone. This involves thinking about every piece of furniture in the room and the possible dangers that furniture represents.
Making the crib safe
For younger children sleeping in a crib, keeping them safe if incredibly important. This might mean buying a new crib, as some older ones have traditional drop-sides, which don’t meet the latest safety standards. They also may have broken or damaged edges.
Concerned parents should avoid putting pillows and soft bedding into the crib of really young children. As many as 900 infants suffocate in soft bedding each year.
It’s not just about which crib you buy but also where you place the crib. Even if you have heeded the advice above and have suitable window locks, they can still prove hazardous to young ones— cords, blinds, and drapes pose a strangulation hazard. In fact, anything with loose wires or cords should be kept out of reach from the crib, including the baby monitor or mobile.
Make drawers and cupboards safe
Drawers are a huge threat in children’s rooms. In the US, thousands of children head to the emergency room each year after being hit by falling furniture. In the worst cases, it can be fatal. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) record an average of six deaths each year associated with furniture tipover. Approximately 80% were to children under the age of
five.
To avoid this, make sure you buy sturdy drawers and cupboards and secure them to the wall. Although it’s perfectly natural for toddlers to explore, make sure you lock drawers, doors, and cabinets where possible—or at least keep them closed.
You can also discourage children from climbing on drawers, and avoid placing toys on top of high shelves, where your child might try to climb in order to retrieve them.
Choking hazards
Children will naturally put things in their mouth, it’s a natural part of growing and exploring. However, it does mean that parents have to be extra vigilant when spotting choking hazards.
Don’t leave small toys out for your child to play with. Likewise, look for other, less obvious, hazards in the room like buttons, beads and jewelry. These are questions all parents must ask themselves.
Of course, although you can minimise the risk, it’s not always preventable. For those parents that just won’t be able to sleep without knowing they have done all they can, perhaps investing in a choke tube tester might be the answer. These devices are designed to the dimensions of a young child’s windpipe, any object or toy that can fit down the cylinder is therefore dangerous. The Safetots Choke Tester is a cheap contraction that is suitable for children under three years of age.
Anna Marikar, mum of four and seasoned blogger, has spent over a decade sharing her parenting journey and passion for kid-friendly crafts and free printables.
Her easy-to-follow craft ideas and practical parenting advice have transformed In The Playroom into a cherished resource for parents.
What a great list! We’ve spent the hours too to think of all the areas in the house that might need some extra protection and thought. Glad people are putting some great lists together like this one to help educate people on all the curves and corners that prove dangerous for a curious little one. Keep it up – looking forward to learning more!
Such a nice post! Helpful too for newcomer parents to set up their kid room. Thanks to post great article like this. Keep sharing.