How to Make Sure Your Home is Safe for Children

Ensuring that your Rumson home is safe for children doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. It’s about taking a step back, seeing your home from their viewpoint, and making small but meaningful adjustments.

Whether you’re welcoming a new baby or adapting to the needs of a curious toddler, a few thoughtful changes can make a notable difference. Read on to break down what you can do, room by room, to create a space that’s comfortable for everyone.

Before diving into any specific areas, take a moment to look at your home from your child’s point of view. What’s at their eye level? What might seem like a toy but isn’t? By getting down on their level, you can spot potential hazards you might not notice as an adult. This mindset will guide everything you do to make your Rumson home more child-friendly.

Focus on simple questions: Are there sharp edges within reach? Could they pull something heavy onto themselves? Are there items they could swallow or small spaces where they might get stuck? Thinking like this will give you a clear starting point.

The living room is generally where children spend most of their time, so it’s a key area to childproof. Start with the furniture. Coffee tables, TV stands, and other low furniture can have sharp corners that are easy to bump into. Adding corner protectors or edge guards is a quick fix that can prevent scrapes and bruises.

Next, take a look at your electronics. Flat-screen TVs should be securely mounted to the wall or anchored to prevent tipping. The same goes for bookshelves and other tall furniture — use brackets or anti-tip straps to keep them stable. And don’t forget cords! Use cord organizers to keep them out of sight and out of reach.

Finally, consider how you store items in this room. Keep small objects like remote controls, candles, and breakable décor well out of reach. Opt for storage bins with lids for toys, which also doubles as a way to keep things tidy.

Kitchens can be one of the riskiest areas for young children, but small adjustments can make a big impact. Start with the basics: Install childproof latches on cabinets and drawers that hold dangerous items, such as cleaning supplies, knives, or small appliances. Keep these items stored high when possible, even with the latches in place.

Stove safety is another critical focus. Use stove knob covers to prevent little hands from turning the burners on. If your stove has a front-facing control panel, make sure to lock it when not in use. While cooking, always use the back burners and turn the pot handles inward to avoid accidental spills.

Also, think about how you store food. Heavy or fragile items, such as canned goods or glass containers, should be stored on lower shelves so they’re easier to access without causing injury. And don’t forget to secure trash cans — kids are naturally curious and may explore areas you’d prefer they avoid.

Bathrooms come with their own set of challenges, but simple changes can make them much safer. Start by adding a slip-resistant bath mat to prevent falls. When it comes to the bathtub itself, consider a soft spout cover to protect against bumps, and always test the water temperature. Installing an anti-scald device on your faucet can provide extra peace of mind.

Keep all toiletries, medicines, and cleaning supplies locked away or stored high out of reach. A medicine lockbox can be particularly useful for extra peace of mind. 

Hallways and staircases are often overlooked, but they’re crucial areas to childproof. Use safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs to prevent falls, and choose hardware-mounted gates for added security. Avoid pressure-mounted gates on top of stairs, as they’re less stable and could come loose.

Ensure that stair railings are secure and that the spacing between balusters is no more than four inches to prevent a child from squeezing through. For added safety, consider installing a handrail at a lower height that your child can easily reach as they learn to navigate stairs.

Keep hallways clear of clutter to avoid tripping hazards. If you have rugs in these areas, use non-slip backing or rug pads to keep them in place.

If your home includes outdoor space, it’s worth giving these areas the same attention. Start with the basics: Check that fences and gates are stable, with no gaps a child could slip through. If you have a pool, install a fence around it with a self-closing, self-latching gate.

Inspect your play equipment. Make sure swings, slides, and other fixtures are in good condition, with no sharp edges, splinters, or rust. Soft surfaces like rubber mats or mulch under play areas can help cushion falls.

Don’t forget about smaller hazards, like garden tools, fertilizers, or pesticides. These should be stored in a locked shed or garage, out of sight and out of reach. Lastly, keep an eye on plants in your yard — some common varieties can be toxic if ingested.

While it’s essential to childproof your home, teaching kids about safety is just as important. Start early by setting simple, clear rules they can understand, like not touching the stove or keeping small toys out of their mouths. Reinforce these rules with consistency and positive reinforcement.

Encourage them to ask questions and involve them in safety measures as they grow older. For example, show them how to use a handrail on the stairs or explain why certain items are off-limits. The more they understand, the more likely they are to make safer choices.

Making your home safe for children might seem like a big project, but taking it step by step makes it manageable. And remember, this isn’t about perfection — it’s about creating a space where your child can thrive, explore, and stay out of harm’s way.

By putting in the effort now, you’re giving yourself peace of mind and your child the freedom to grow. After all, a safe home is a happy home.

Get started on your journey in Rumson, NJ, real estate with trusted broker associate Kathy Grabowy.