Apartments can be an excellent place for a child to grow up, but some apartments can come with their own dangers as well. If you have a child and living in an apartment, there are some steps you should take to ensure your apartment is safe for your child. Growing up will come with its fair share of bumps and bruises; you should do everything possible to mitigate unnecessary risks. Use these helpful tips to make sure your apartment is safe for your child.
Cords and Sockets
Because a maintenance crew or a landlord manages apartments, they may not always be kept up to your standards. If you live in an older apartment building, the electrical sockets and wiring could pose more of a risk to children than if you lived in a new apartment building. One of the most important things you can do to ensure your apartment is safe for your child is to make sure all electrical outlets are covered and all cords secured and safe. You should also make sure your child knows that they should not touch any cords or electrical outlets.
Dangerous Areas
Windows and doors can pose risks for young children who are just learning to walk and want to explore their surroundings. You need to take extra caution with these areas to ensure the safety of your child. If you live on an upper floor of an apartment building, you should make sure that all of your windows have childproof locks if they are in the reach of children. Gates or bars over the windows could provide an extra layer of protection. If you have a balcony, you should make sure that all the openings are sealed adequately with either netting, gates, or wood. You should also keep in mind that children may try to climb on patio furniture, and this could potentially be dangerous. You should never leave children alone on the balcony under any circumstances.
Plants, Chemicals, and Medicine
Children have a habit of putting things into their mouths. This is one thing that children do that can unknowingly put them in danger. While there are obvious things to keep out of reach in your apartment, such as your medicine, there are other things that could be toxic to children that you might not know to keep out of their reach. Some plants can be harmful when they are eaten; these include many common and popular house plants. You should know what plants in your house and your apartment building could be harmful to your children and your pets. You should also be aware of any chipping paint in your apartment building, especially if you live in an older apartment. Sometimes paint can contain lead, which is harmful to children if they are eating any of the paint chips. If you notice any chipping paint in your apartment, speak to your landlord or maintenance person right away.
Strangers
Even if you have discussed stranger danger with your child, this concept may be a little more confusing when you live in an apartment building. When you move into your apartment, it is a good idea to introduce yourself and your child to the neighbors around your apartment unit. This will help your child to differentiate between who is a neighbor and who is a stranger. This also lets your neighbors know that you have a young child living with you, and they will be more likely to be on the lookout for any potential dangers around your apartment. Also, make sure your child knows not to go to anybody else’s apartment without your permission. Never allow your children to play unattended in any common areas of the apartment building.
