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Childproof home
Prevent accidents and poisoning in the home
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With these measures you can protect your child
Your child is now at an age when he wants to discover the world. With learning to walk, the range of motion expands from one day to the next. Full of curiosity, your child now goes exploring. It is not yet aware of any dangers and is probably even quite impetuous on the road.However, parents can defuse dangerous points with foresight. Read here how you can banish the risk of accidents and take precautions to ensure that your child grows up safely and unharmed.
What can you do to avoid accidents?
There are potential dangers lurking at home and in the nearby environment for young children. To identify hidden risks, you should see the home through your children's eyes: A shelf quickly becomes a climbing tower, a carpet a tripping hazard and the contents of the trash can become play material. If you make yourself aware of these and similar dangers, you can easily banish them.
The following tips will help make your home more childproof
Sockets magically attract small children. Here belong necessarily childproof locks in.
Power lines should be flush-mounted, the supply lines to lamps or other electrical devices should be mounted firmly and trip-proof.
Be mindful of extension cords. Your child can get caught on them or trip. A cable is also dangerous if your child tries to hold on to it. Loose cables should be laid tightly or fastened with cable clamps.
When buying electrical appliances, you should look for quality seals and tested safety.
Furniture sometimes toddlers consider as climbing toys. Shelves and small furniture should be fixed to the wall to prevent tipping.
The most interesting toys are best stored well within reach of your child far below.
Drawers, even at the desk, equip with a lock so that they do not slip out.
Valuable and particularly dangerous items are best stored in higher areas out of reach of your child.
Edges of furniture can be padded, in any case along the walkways.
Rugs and carpets must be laid non-slip.
The windows provide best with lockable handles, so that your child can not open them and lean out.
If children under 3 years play with small parts, there is a risk of suffocation. Pay attention to age-appropriate toys.
A snooze light helps your child to find his way at night, not to bump or fall down.
Place all electrical appliances such as coffee makers or kettles out of your child's reach.
Do not let the cords hang down.
The dishwasher and oven should always be closed.
Stow sharp knives and scissors inaccessible.
Splashing fat or water can make the floor very slippery - be careful, slip!
When cooking, turn the pan handles backwards, because they are quickly torn down. The stove best still secure with a stove grid.
Most of all older ovens need a window protection, because they quickly become too hot!
Cleaning and cleaning agents belong necessarily out of reach for your child in a lockable cabinet. They quickly lead to poisoning and chemical burns.
The trash can should be out of reach for your child.
Never leave your child alone in the bath unsupervised! Even in low water toddlers can drown.
Use anti-slip mats - even in the bath.
The taps can be equipped with shock absorbers.
Attention to the correct water temperature of max. 37 degrees. You can secure the mixer tap with a temperature controller, so that the water does not exceed 50 degrees hot and lead to scalding.
To be on the safe side, remove the hair dryer immediately after use from the power supply and put it away quickly!
Store razor blades and electrical appliances out of reach of your child.
Close medicines and cleaning products in a cabinet that is out of reach of your child.
Remove slippery tablecloths.
Protect televisions, computers and flat screens from tipping over.
Never leave alcohol and cigarettes out in the open.
Store matches and lighters in a locked area.
Put carpets non-slip, runners prefer to put away.
Dispose of poisonous houseplants. Cover potting soil with flower pot grids.
Do not use heavy and wobbly decorations.
Provide windows and balcony doors with child locks.
Do not let your child unsupervised on the balcony and ensure that he does not climb on the railing. Make sure you have a child-proof balcony railing.
Place the iron to cool down always high and thus out of reach for your child.
Secure the stairs with a grid!
If the steps are carpeted, this should be laid particularly firmly.
The handrail should be easily accessible at child height and lead all the way down.
Garden ponds and other dangerous areas are best fenced.
Avoid poisonous plants and shrubs.
Secure lawn mowers and other dangerous garden tools from your child.
Make your outdoor electrical outlets childproof as well.
When it comes to toys, look for safe and child-friendly products that are appropriate for your child's age and developmental stage.
The material should be free of harmful substances and stable.
Avoid small toys such as marbles or beads at the age up to 3 years. There is a risk of suffocation if your child swallows the individual parts.
Check the toy regularly for damage, such as cracks or sharp edges on wooden parts.
When it comes to pens and paints, look for toxic-free products and give your child only non-toxic glues for crafting.
Caution: Danger of poisoning and chemical burns
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As soon as your child can walk, the home risk of poisoning and chemical burns increases. Poisonings can be caused by medications, tobacco, cigarettes, caustic cleaners, varnishes, paints, poisonous plants or alcoholic beverages, among other things. Don't leave anything within your child's reach, and be sure to use childproof caps. Medications belong in a locked medicine cabinet.
More informationLinks for further reading
The German Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA) has published a parents' guide to accident prevention in childhood, which is available for free download on its website.
