With so many baby products on the market today it is hard to work out what is essential and what is nothing more than a cleverly marketed gadget you don’t need. Here’s some advice on what’s essential and what’s useful.
Safety Barriers
If your child likes to explore, you’ll need to put something on the doors and windows to stop them pushing the adventure too far! Grilles and/or screens on windows and doors are an important safety feature that can be built into your home. These no longer have to make your home look like a prison; modern products provide discreet security while providing a clear view from your windows. Security product manufacturers like Stylewise Security specialise in safety screens that won’t clash with your interior design or stick out like a sore thumb. Baby safety gates are also an excellent way of keeping your child safe. These are particularly handy at the top of stairs or to keep kids out of rooms where safety hazards exist, like the kitchen or bathroom.
Child Resistant Locks and Catches
There are a multitude of cleverly designed locks and catches to keep kids out of cupboards. These should be applied to every cupboard where dangerous substances are stored. The cupboard under the sink usually contains cleaning agents so should have a lock applied. Bathroom cabinets are a must and anywhere medications are stored. What may seem harmless can be very dangerous if eaten by a baby or small child, things like vitamins, fertiliser pellets and lotions can be deadly. Be thorough and vigilant with keeping things under lock and key. Most child resistant locks are inexpensive and can be easily installed, but always make sure they comply with safety standards and regulations.
Stove Guards
Children are curious beings and they love to touch while they explore. Saucepans on stoves are a real hazard to kids. Many a child has pulled on a saucepan handle only to end up in the burns unit of their local hospital. While turning handles inward is a good idea, installing a stove guard is even better one. Once the guard is fitted your child will not be able to reach saucepans or dangerous hot plates. Stove guards are designed to fit most makes of modern stoves. They are heat resistant and usually coated in a chrome finish which means they will not make your kitchen look unattractive.
Door Knob Covers
These clever little plastic devices are designed to fit over the top of door knobs making it impossible for small children to twist and open the door. When a child attempts to open the door the door knob cover will simply spin around. Adults can easily open doors by squeezing the cover so as to grip the door handle. Like most other child safety devices on the market today, door knob covers are sleek and modern and blend with any home décor. They are a cinch to install, you simply snap them on. They are also inexpensive. So, if you need to keep kids out of certain rooms you should definitely consider installing door knob covers.
Safety products for children are generally inexpensive and are designed to fit in with your décor. Most are easy to install and when you consider the peace of mind they will bring you, they are a very worthwhile investment.