Dossier: Pregnancy

Tips for a child-friendly home

You’ll have to child-proof your home when your child starts to crawl at the latest. But it’s worthwhile rethinking your living situation and making it suitable for children at an early stage. There are also sources of danger for babies that are easy to eliminate.

photo: Sanitas

Furniture and fittings

When you’re preparing the room, opt for non-toxic paints, flooring and furniture. It’s also important that any furniture and decorative elements are sturdy and stable, because it doesn’t take long for children to start pulling themselves up on them.

Changing table

Never leave your baby unsupervised on a changing table. To prevent falls, the changing table should have high side guards and be stable.

Sleeping arrangements

Don’t use a pillow for babies under the age of one and don’t leave scarves or clothes with ties in the bed. Danger of suffocation is one of the greatest risks for young children. If children like to climb, it’s a good idea to lay a mattress on the floor in front of the cot to cushion falls.

Drawers and cupboards

Secure drawers and cupboards with safety locks and pull-out stops. This stops the child from getting their fingers jammed and from taking everything out.

Doors and stairs

Use door stoppers to prevent fingers from being jammed. Safety gates prevent children from leaving a room unsupervised and heading for the stairs.

Sockets

Sockets with integrated child-proofing are available. However, it’s quick and easy to fit existing sockets with child-proofing elements.

Corners and edges

When you’re buying new furniture, look for rounded corners and edges, if possible. Special protective caps can be attached to corners to help prevent bruises, tears and injuries.

Dangerous objects

Knives, scissors, detergents, medicines, alcohol and plastic bags (risk of suffocation) and small parts that could be swallowed should be stored out of reach of children or in lockable cupboards.

Carpets and tablecloths

Use anti-slip underlays to prevent children slipping or tripping. Don’t use tablecloths, because young children like to pull on these, and hot drinks or falling objects can cause injuries.

Curtain rails

Check how your curtains are attached to the rail. Children love to pull on curtains, so there’s a risk that the rail may fall on the child.

Electrical devices

Make sure your child can’t reach any electrical devices and their cables.

Kitchen

Risk factors include electrical devices, such as the toaster, kettle, microwave, and, above all, the oven. A hob guard and safety lock on the oven door protect small hands against burns, while covers on the hob knobs stop children from switching on the oven.

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