Do you have a designated play room? Whether it's the family room that everyone shares or a special nook of the home that you've set aside for your little one, be sure that you've taken the steps to make it a safe area for play. The following tips, along with our other home safety tips, will help make your family's play space more secure so that you can concentrate on having fun.
Get a Baby's Eye View
Seeing a room from your baby's perspective is a good way to check for hazards that you may otherwise miss. At floor level, you'll notice things on low shelves or under furniture that need to be moved up out of reach. Pay special attention to small items that pose choking hazards. You'll also notice the many cords that a modern home requires, and become aware of how tempting they can seem to little hands. Be sure to make these inaccessible to your little one.
Watch the ExitsMost rooms will have two types of exits that need to be safeguarded: windows and doors.
Windows may not seem like the typical exit to an adult, but can be very tempting for a child. Use a window lock to help keep the windows from opening higher than they should.
Doors to basements or garages should also be secured with a door lock. If your play room has a regular door leading to the rest of the house, keep it from becoming unintentionally locked and from causing injury with a finger pinch preventer.
Kids Love Climbing
If your play area moonlights as the family's television room or library, be aware of the risks heavy furniture presents. Furniture wall straps are a simple way to help keep those pieces up against the wall where they belong. Televisions themselves can also present dangers. The new flat screen models are easy for a toddler to topple and should be secured to the wall with a TV lock.
If your furniture has doors, as with many TV cabinets, use a cabinet door lock to help keep those doors closed when the electronics aren't being used.
Be Sharp About Edges
Watch for sharp edges on all furniture, but especially on tables. Be sure to cover them appropriately. Your teetering toddler learning to walk will naturally bump into these pieces and grab at them for support. Softening the edges can reduce the risk of injury.
Invest in an Everything BoxNot only does this help you to start teaching about putting away toys, but helps keep the space safe for adults as well. Little building blocks may stimulate the young mind, but they're also painful to adult feet. Give your child a place to store their small- and medium-sized toys…it will most likely be jumbled together inside the box, but there’ll be more room on the floor for play.
