No matter how old your kids are, you will need to ensure that your home does what it is supposed to do to protect them from harm. Older homes generally contain more sources of danger, but you can never feel safe enough when it is your loved ones’ safety in question. There are plenty of things you should pay attention to before you start your renovation project ready for the arrival of your baby, or to deal with the risks teenagers are ready to take. Below you will find a few things to look at before you can consider your home safe for kids.

Plug Sockets

If you have plug sockets in the house within easy reach for your kids, it might be time to cover them up. If your children are going to be unsupervised for more than a couple of seconds in any room, you will need to ensure that they cannot try to touch or play with the electrical sockets. Once your baby turns into a toddler or starts crawling, you will need to find a way to protect your electricity from their curiosity and prevent accidents. There are some great plugs you can install that are childproof, so you don’t have to worry about what your little ones are up to.

Automatic Foyer Illumination

If your kids decide to wander about the house at night, being up to no good, the last thing you want to do is take them to the emergency room because they tripped or fell down the stairs. You can now get plug in motion sensor lights that will illuminate your corridor and the dark corners of the house. In case you have kids who are scared of the night, this will help them see what is around them, so they can go to the toilet in the middle of the night without waking you up.

CO2 Monitor

No matter if you are letting your kids cook for themselves or their friends after school, or you are just allowing them to experiment in the kitchen, you will need to get a CO2 monitor installed. It will detect the gas in the air and alert people in the house, so you can prevent O2 poisoning, due to the lack of ventilation, or a broken kitchen appliance. This device will only cost you a couple of dollars and still allow you to stay safe from some of the most common causes of home accidents. If you happen to leave your older kids at home, you will need to have this device to help them stay safe while cooking for themselves. Teens tend to forget things and get distracted, especially if they are on social media while cooking.

Air Purifiers

In case you have family members with respiratory condition or illnesses, allergies, it is your responsibility to prevent the triggers from entering your home. If your child has asthma, you will need to keep the house well ventilated to prevent mold, but monitoring the air quality is equally important. There are some great plug-in air purifiers that will get rid of pollen and other pollution, automatically, keeping your home safe and healthy. Alternatively, you could get plants that will purify your indoor air, too.

Smoke Detector

You might have raised your kids well, and they never started smoking, but accidents can happen, especially when their friends are around. You need to know that the area of the brain responsible for risk perception is not fully developed until early adulthood. This means that kids will not think twice before they place a candle next to the curtain, or leaving it unattended. To prevent accidents and damage, you will need to install a smoke detector, so the fire can be put out in time before it escalates.

Fire Alarm

Apart from the smoke detector that will turn on when you burn the cake or turkey in the oven, you will also need a fire alarm and a kitchen kit that will allow you to put out fires. A kit usually includes blankets and chemical spray, and you can even get a device that is linked to your local fire station and alert them if things get out of control.

Appliance Safety Checks

When you have kids, keeping your appliances safe should be your top priority. A leak on your kettle can cause an electrical fire. Your washing machine that is blocked by limescale can also be a fire hazard. It might be a good idea to get an electrical safety test carried out by a qualified electrician every 6-12 months, so you can rest assured that you are not putting your kids; life in danger. Even a blown fuse can result in a lot of trouble, so it might be time to get a professional look at your fuse box and upgrade it if necessary.

Heating System Maintenance

One of the main causes of accidents and home emergencies is neglected heating and air conditioning system. If yours is at least a couple of years old and is no longer under warranty maintenance, you will need to talk to a local AC Repair company to ensure it is safe and not under too much pressure. Even changing the filters can reduce your risk of overheating and blockages that can potentially cause low air quality, breakdowns, or even more serious problems.  

Panic Button

If you happen to leave your kids at home for a certain amount of time, or you have older family members with a long term health condition, you will need to ensure that you will be able to get there in time when they need you. It might be a good idea to get a panic button installed in your bathroom and in the kitchen, so you can get help as soon as possible. Place the panic buttons within easy reach for small kids and people with mobility issues. If you leave your kids home for the first time, you can also give them a personal alarm that will alert you that they feel unsafe and in danger.

Home Camera

If you want to show your kids that you trust them and leave them at home for a couple of hours, your best bet is to get a home monitor that will allow you to remotely keep an eye on them. You can use your smart home system to check in with your kids while you are out, and they will be able to communicate with you through the video whenever they need advice or would like to ask you something. This will give you the peace of mind that you are doing everything you can to protect them.

Staircase Guard

Once your baby starts climbing or walking, your main concern will be the stairs. Kids don’t understand danger, until they experience the consequences. You will need to keep them safe, as they don’t understand danger yet. You can get a stair gate installed to prevent your child from climbing up and down without you supervising them. It is recommended that you read reviews before you buy the gate, as kids can be very innovative when it comes to doing things they are not supposed to.

If you are a parent, your kids’ safety and wellbeing will be your top priority. It is crucial that you make your home as safe as possible for small and big kids who might not fully understand danger yet.