When you first become a parent, you go through the many motions of preparing your house for the baby. Many mummies experience the “nesting” period, where they have this uncontrollable need to ensure the home is ready to welcome the new member of the family.
Once the baby arrives, a new round of changes starts to happen. At 6 months, you start weaning your baby and starting them on solids. At 9 months, they learn to stand. At a year, they’re already toddling around the house. This is when the real child-proofing has to happen.
That minimalist metal coffee table you love so much? The sharp edges now have to be covered with rubberised stoppers. The gorgeous vintage lamp you found on one of your pre-baby travels? It has to go now.
But child-proofing your home doesn’t have to be all that expensive or painful. In fact, the experience can be quite empowering if you follow the right steps.
Here’s how to child-proof your home with 5 easy steps:
1. Keep your house properly segregated
Most homes are already configured in a way that the rooms are very obviously segregated. However, with modern design, many parents might have opted to have a more open layout for their homes.
While the open kitchen might have been a good idea when you did not have kids, introducing children to a household with no segregation between the kitchen and other rooms can be dangerous.
The kitchen and bathroom areas should be properly cordoned off. This can easily be done by installing baby gates and child-proof locks. Don’t allow your kids into areas where there is open water or fire source.
2. Use cordless appliances
One thing most parents are certainly guilty of is the use of electronics all over the house. This means there is plenty of exposed wiring all over the place – posing a great risk to our kids when they start to walk around on their own.
It is important that you don’t leave your electronics lying around with wires tangled up or dangling everywhere. It is also crucial not to leave electrical sockets open.
Reduce the risk of home accidents by using appliances that are cordless or wireless, including using a cordless vacuum so you can clean your house with ease without worrying about your child tripping on a wire or suffering from strangulation.
The Panasonic 200W Power Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner MC-BJ980W147/R147 is perfect for parents who wish to keep the house safe AND clean at the same time. Its long battery life allows for usage of up to approximately 65 minutes. While vacuuming, parents also don’t have to worry about children tripping over any cords, making cleaning less stressful!
The vacuum cleaner is charged similarly to a handphone, making it easy for parents to unplug and stow away safely when not in use.
3. Keep the house dust-free
Many allergens come about when the house is not kept in clean conditions. When you have a home that is dust-free, it can improve your entire household’s well-being and health.
You can do this with frequent cleaning, made easier with a cordless vacuum that can reach even the hard-to-reach spots, like Panasonic’s 200W Power Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner MC-BJ980W147/R147 which cleans at lightning speed and reaches even the smallest corners and edges. The cordless vacuum cleaner also comes with several attachments such as a mattress nozzle, crevice nozzle, dusting brush, and a vacuum hose.
Not to mention, it has a House Dust Sensor (Mite Sensor) function, detecting even the smallest of particles. When dirt is detected, the vacuum will inform you through its lamp function. Red means dust is detected while blue means that the area is clean.
It is also lightweight so it can be carried from room to room with no hassle! If your rooms have different textures, such as tiling, wood flooring or carpet, the Panasonic 200W Power Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner runs seamlessly over each surface with its unique V-shaped brush.
4. Switch to organic household products
Use products that do not contain toxic or poisonous substances. Stay away from phthalates, ammonia, chlorine or sodium hydroxide.
Why are so many brands now switching their products to be made of organic ingredients? Many household products contain toxic or poisonous substances that are harmful to children.
But with new organic products in the market popping up, parents can ensure their households are clean and pest-free without worrying about their child’s health.
5. Ensure all furniture units are screwed down
This is a given for all households with toddlers. Toddlers who are still learning to walk will grasp onto furniture to maintain their balance. If your cupboard or shelving unit is not screwed down or to the wall, it could easily fall onto your child and harm them.
It is best to have all the furniture screwed down and minimise the risk of accidents happening at home.
So these are 5 easy tips on how to child-proof your home to make it safer for the kids. Got any more tips to add on? Let us know!
Learn more about the Panasonic 200W Power Cordless Stick Vacuum here.