Living Bathroom

Although any house cannot be 100% child safe there are some simple precautions parents can take to reduce the risk of accident or injury of your infant children within the home. Here we look at some of the key dangers present within the common bathroom and living room environments along with what steps you can take to minimise the risks.

Living Room

The living room is arguably one of the most problematic areas within the home to fully protect your child from. Given people's living rooms are ordinarily the hub of the house and constantly used and items moved, you need to constantly remain vigilant of the dangers. One of the best ways to spot dangers in your living room is to get down to your child height and survey the area.

One of the most common incidents which occur in living rooms are burns resulting from fire. To help prevent and alert you of this, install smoke detector alarms in key areas of your home whilst also installing circuit breakers and fitting any fires with protective guards. If you have electrical plug sockets which are not in use, it would be wise to purchase some plastic plug covers which prevent little fingers or foreign objects from being input into the sockets. Ensure you unplug any electrical fires during hot periods when they are not required for extended periods. Always choose furniture which is made from fire retardant foam and upholstery and ensure that matches and lighter mechanisms are well out of children's reach

Bathroom

Several commonly documented accidents occurring in the bathroom derive from scalds resulting from hot water, poisoning and falls in the bath or shower. To reduce these risks make a point of placing all medicines and other dangerous and sharp objects in a locked cabinet away from a child's reach. Plastic, enamel and cast-iron bath tubs are a significant fall risk and the purchase of a suction non-slip bath mat will serve to reduce the risk of your child slipping over in the bath or shower. For hygienic reasons it is also a good idea to secure the toilet seat. Take note of any low-level windows which a child may be able to access and ensure they are locked. When running a bath for your child always ensure that you add hot water to cold water and always check the temperature yourself before placing your child into the bath.

Finally, ensure that any keys or locks cannot be accessed by your child to prevent them from locking themselves in the room.