Home safety, expert advice

“A modern apartment is fraught with many dangers for a child, and the main one among them is open windows. Therefore, parents with small children should think about equipping windows with special protective systems, since almost everyone can afford them.

There are several ways to make windows safe. One of the most effective is the installation of functionality constraints, such as lockable handles. They are easy to find in the assortment of window companies, purchase in construction hypermarkets or order online.

A handle with a lock is installed instead of the usual one, and for this it is not at all necessary to resort to the help of professionals. You just need to unscrew two screws, remove the old handle, put a new one in its place and fix the product with the same screws. Just 10 minutes of work, and you no longer have to jump up from your seat when the child comes to the window.

In addition, a new type of window barrier is currently being tested. The design is a thin lattice that is attached to the profile from the outside and does not allow the child to fall out of the window, even if he opens the sash. What is important, unlike the deaf metal gratings loved by the residents of the first floors, this barrier does not darken the room, does not block escape routes and does not impede access to the apartment for firefighters, Emergencies Ministry employees and police officers. Adults can freely open the structure, and when the baby grows up – remove it on their own, ”shares his advice Anton Karyavkin, head of the technical center of the strategic direction“ Construction ”of REHAU in Eastern Europe.

“When it comes to the safety of children in the home, many of us immediately begin to sort out measures aimed at reducing injuries in our heads: hide all sharp objects and household chemicals, close the sockets, do not let us grab a hot iron. But what is often left unattended is protection from drafts, although they are the main sources of colds in both babies and their parents.

“Isn’t the problem solved by ventilating the rooms one by one, without opening all the windows at once?” – readers may logically ask. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Standard situation: sealed plastic windows are installed in the apartment, it is winter outside, so they are all closed. But it still blows, especially on the floor where the child likes to play. The reason lies in the so-called draft effect.

It is possible to reduce the effect of the “cold inner glass” by using double-glazed windows consisting of two energy-saving glasses. Due to a special silver-based coating, such glasses act as a transparent filter: they transmit visible light well, but reflect back heat from radiators and household appliances back into the room, ”says Yulia Smirnova, Marketing Communications Specialist at Guardian.

The most comfortable place for a child should be his nursery. After all, it is there that he spends most of his time. Therefore, check if the furniture is securely installed and / or fixed, if there are any sharp corners next to the bed (silicone pads will help to cope with them). Sockets are a separate item. They must be closed with special plugs or purchase a special case for a surge protector and a protective box for the outlet. It will be safer this way!

Also, it will not be superfluous to check the reliability of the fastening of cabinets and shelves, because a child (especially a hyperactive and inquisitive) will definitely want to climb up to find out what is interesting there. Therefore, it is important that the shelves do not tip over on the baby and accidentally injure him.

Pay particular attention to interior doors and cabinet doors. So that during the game the kid does not accidentally pinch his hand, it is better to purchase and install a special door shock absorber and blocker. Thanks to the door shock absorber, the doors will not be able to slam shut, and the lock, in principle, will not allow the child to open the cabinet doors.

And so that the young researcher does not accidentally go out into the entrance and onto the street, the front door also needs to be equipped with a special lock, which will not be so easy to open.

What is the most favorite place in a play house? Of course the kitchen! Especially when the mother is busy with something and the child has a bunch of ideas where one can adapt certain kitchen utensils or even household appliances. You should be on your guard here!

You should start by making your stove safe. This can be achieved by installing special clamps on the handles of the plate and a protective screen on the plate itself. By the way, this screen is made of transparent heat-resistant plastic, lightweight and safe.

A special latch must also be installed on the oven, which will not allow the child to open the oven and get burned by the hot air.

Household chemicals, vinegar, bulk goods, piercing and cutting objects are best placed in the farthest top cabinet. After all, every mother knows that it is these items that arouse genuine interest in the baby.

A special latch lock can be installed on the refrigerator. And the child will not be able to play around with the refrigerator doors, and you will not be tempted by harmful delicacies once again.

Moving on to the bathroom. In principle, it is generally not recommended to leave the baby alone while taking water procedures. But if suddenly you started to cry, and the child decided to arrange a field for games in the bathroom, then it is better if everything is safe and comfortable there.

Shampoos, soaps, shaving products, household chemicals and other products are best hidden under lock and key so that the child has no way to get to them. A special anti-slip rubber mat must be placed on the bottom of the bath. It will not be superfluous to lay some kind of water-repellent carpet on the tiled floor. Also, be sure to check that mirrors, shelves and cabinets are securely in place, and that electrical appliances are turned off and stored in a drawer.

And so that your new phone does not suffer, say, the fate of being drowned in the toilet, you can (even need to!) Purchase a special device (a plastic belt buckle that securely fixes the toilet lid).

The balcony is also a dangerous area for children. It is necessary to ensure that the exit to the balcony is reliably protected. For example, lattice security gates are perfect for these purposes, which will close automatically, even if you suddenly forget about them yourself.

If you live in a country house and you have a staircase, then you need to install a security gate at the entrance to the staircase.

But, most importantly, do not leave your fidget alone for a long time, so that he does not have the temptation to climb a window, open a balcony or knock over a rack.