How to: Childproof your home
Our helpful guide to childproofing your home
For tiny children, a house offers a million thrilling gems to explore, poke, climb and chew. So it’s worth getting in there early and child-proofing your home now – it’ll help keep your baby safe and save you a few grey hairs too. Here’s a quick guide to the basics...
Soften edges – avoid bangs on the head by attaching cushioned corner guards and edge protector strips to any hard edges
Stop doors slamming on little fingers – grab some door hinge guards or foam semi-circles to stop doors closing
Wiley wires - unplug electrical appliances when you’re not using them. Never run leads or cables under carpets or rugs – you won't be able to see if they become damaged. And keep an eye out for signs of loose wiring, faulty plugs or sockets - scorch marks or flickering lights are warning signs. Always replace worn, damaged or taped up leads and cables.
Safe stairs – you can choose from a whole world of stair-gates, but safest of all are ones that drill into the wall.
Lock kitchen cupboards - colourful bottles of bleach, dishwasher tablets and sprays are just begging to be played with. So store them far away from prying hands, and snap on cupboard and drawer locks.
Fires and heaters – when kids and fires are both present, fireguards are required by law. It’s also a good idea to keep a fire-extinguisher in the house, just in case. And make sure you fit and regularly test smoke alarms.