Protecting children in the home is a top priority for parents, grandparents, and caregivers. Young children are naturally curious and tend to explore their environment with their hands, making it essential to take proactive measures to eliminate potential hazards and minimise the risk of injury. In this article, West Coast Elevators will share valuable tips and guidelines on how to childproof your home and elevator, creating a secure and worry-free environment for your little ones.
The Importance of Childproofing
Children are natural explorers and use their hands to learn about their surroundings. It’s important to create a safe environment for them by keeping hazardous objects out of reach, like electrical cords, knives, scissors, matches, batteries, and other potentially harmful items. We recommend securing these items in cabinets with child safety locks to prevent accidents. Additionally, we should be aware of potential choking hazards like blind cords, plastic bags, and packaging.
Safety in the Kitchen
The kitchen can be a tricky area to keep child-safe due to potential hazards like hot appliances and sharp objects. To further ensure your child’s safety, it’s important to keep them away from stoves and use guards to prevent burns from hot liquids. Be mindful to keep kettles and pots with boiling water out of reach, and always supervise your child in this area.Â
In addition, consider using plug-in covers to prevent little ones from poking into power outlets and always remember to unplug appliances when not in use. These precautions can help create a safer environment for your child in the kitchen.
The Dangers of Household Chemicals
While certain household items may seem harmless to adults, they can be highly toxic to young children. Cleaning products, chemicals, and medicines should be stored out of reach in a locked cupboard or cabinet to prevent accidental poisoning. It’s also important to educate children about the potential dangers of these items and discourage them from playing with them.
Safety Around Water
Water can be enticing for children, making it crucial to take appropriate steps to prevent access to pools, spas, dams, or ponds. If you have a permanent or inflatable pool with water deeper than 30cm, it is a legal requirement to have a four-sided fence with a self-closing and self-latching gate. As a parent or caregiver, you will be aware of the importance of never leaving your child unattended near water and ensuring that they are within arm’s reach at all times. Always supervise children in the bath or shower to prevent them from turning on the hot water tap.
Addressing Furniture Risks
Furniture can pose a significant danger to curious toddlers who love to climb and explore. To prevent incidents, secure tall furniture, such as bookshelves and tallboys, to the walls. Use corner guards and edge protectors on furniture with sharp corners and edges to avoid injuries. TVs and other heavy objects should be anchored correctly to prevent them from tipping over.
Introducing LEO, the Elevator Child-locking Device
At West Coast Elevators, we understand the importance of keeping children safe around elevators, which is why we have developed Lock Elevator Operation (LEO), an elevator child-locking device. This innovative device allows you to lock the elevator doors with a simple touch, preventing children from opening the door or operating the lift. LEO is equipped with a red LED light, which indicates when the device is activated, providing peace of mind that the lift is disabled. The device can be installed on any landing door(s) and inside the cabin, and it is compatible with all our residential and commercial lift products except for the Crystal Mini Lift.
The safety of children is paramount, and it is essential to take proactive measures to childproof your home and elevator. By implementing the tips and guidelines mentioned above, along with our elevator child-locking device, you can have peace of mind that your little ones are safe in their home environment. For more information on LEO or any of our lift products, contact West Coast Elevators. Our team will be happy to assist you in creating a secure and safe home elevator experience for your family.
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