Safety first…
Supervision is the best way to prevent accidents, but it’s simply impossible to watch your child every second of the day! Thankfully, hundreds of child safety products are available to reduce the risk in every part of the home – you’ll find a good range in your local nursery department or store. The Supernanny team has also tracked down these essentials for children aged 0-5…
Cabinets and drawers…
Cabinet and drawer latches keep curious toddlers out of cabinets and drawers by preventing doors and drawers from opening fully – some will also stop the from closing on tiny fingers. For ease of fitting, choose latches that mount with adhesive so you don’t have to drill holes and can remove them later on without damaging the surface. For increased security, choose magnet locks. A refrigerator lock will keep kids from accessing what’s in the refrigerator, while a toilet lock stops your child from lifting up the seat.
Doors…
Door slam protectors clip over the edge of doors to prevent little fingers from becoming trapped. Doorknob covers are also a great reasonably priced investment and prevent toddlers and preschoolers from getting outside or into any rooms in the house that are off-limits – adults can open the door by using their finger and thumb to pinch the sides in and grip the doorknob.
Protective covers…
Corner cushions cover up sharp corners on furniture and benches. They can reduce the impact if a child falls, and are easily screwed or stuck into place and you can get options designed for glass shelves and tables. Alternately, you could use a soft table edge bumper. If you have a stone fireplace hearth, prevent nasty knocks with a hearth cushion. Stove knob covers keep low-level stove knob off limits for toddlers and pre-schoolers.
Furniture…
It’s not just doors you need to worry about: kids may try to climb up large items of furniture. Secure it to the walls with anti-tip brackets. Do the same for your TV with a TV anti-tip strap.
Electrics…
Plug outlet covers stop children from poking or playing with sockets and unplugging electrical equipment. They’re cheap and easy to fit and remove and you can get some that are designed for sockets that are in use, which allow you to plug and unplug electrical appliances while preventing access to live outlets. Shock shield clips are another good buy – they incorporate a rubber guard so your child can’t touch the live prongs if he does manage to pull out the plug halfway. Other handy power safety products include cord shorteners – these are reels into which you wind long lengths of cable (for example, the phone cable or the cable that runs from your nursery monitor) to shorten it so your baby or toddler isn’t tempted to grab it and tug something down onto her head. Using a power strip to run several appliances? A power strip cover is the perfect solution. DVD and video guards will prevent her from ‘mailing’ her toys through the slot!
Nightlights…
…provide a reassuring glow for children who are afraid of the dark. They are also useful for lighting the way to the toilet, stairs or other rooms during the night. You can protect little fingers from burns by using specially designed shock shield nightlights which safely enclose the lightbulb and remain cool to the touch, and prevent your child from accessing the live prongs.
Windows…
Window latches should be fitted to all upstairs windows, and any other window that a child could climb through. They prevent windows from opening more than a few inches, to reduce the risk of falls. And keep cords for blinds safely stowed in a specially designed drawcord cover.
Safety gates…
…are essential for keeping little ones away from the stairs and out of hazardous rooms such as the kitchen. They’re designed for children up to 2 or 3 – older children may be able to climb over. Most large stores with a nursery department will have a selection: choose from gates you fix in place or pressure mount (don’t use these at the top of a flight of stairs). If you have fireplaces, install a hearth gate. Make outdoor balcony railings safer with a rail net that stops your child from getting trapped between widely-spaced bars.
Bath time…
Slip resistant bath mats will prevent slips and slides in the bathroom and are available in bright, colorful designs; alternately, use temperature-sensing appliqués which come in cute designs. Shampoo eye shields are so simple, but can truly transform the bathtime experience for soap-sensitive kids. Give them a go if your child screams at the sight of shampoo. A padded faucet cover prevents your child from turning on the faucet or banging his head on it if he slips; while a thermometer will tell you if the bath water is too hot.