How to Make Your Home More Secure for Your Children

According to reports, 2.5 million children are injured or killed due to hazards in the home every year. Fortunately, you can prevent injuries by installing simple child safety devices in your home.

Here are some safety devices that you can use to provide a safe and secure home for your children.

Safety Latches and Locks

Safety latches and locks on your cabinets and drawers in the kitchen and bathroom will prevent children from gaining access to medication, toxic substances, and sharp devices. The safety locks must be easy to install and use, but strong enough to withstand the tugs of a determined child. While these devices do not guarantee 100 percent protection, they will make it difficult for your child to access harmful substances. Lock away any potentially dangerous substances – even those in child-proof packaging.

Safety Gates

Safety gates should be used when stairs pose a risk to your child’s safety. They will keep your child away from the staircase or rooms that present multiple hazards. The ideal gate would be one that is difficult for a child to dislodge, but easy for an adult to open and close. Screw-in gates are more secure than pressure gates for the top of the staircase. Also, check that the spaces on the gate are not large enough for your child’s head to fit into.

Door Locks

Locks on your doors will help to keep children from entering areas where there are possible dangers. Use them on the pool gate so that your children cannot gain access to the pool without adult supervision. The locks should be sturdy to keep children, but not so complex that you cannot open a door quickly in case of emergency.

Anti-Scald Devices

Over 1 million children are treated in emergency rooms for hot water burns. If you have young children, it’s a smart idea to install anti-scald devices on your faucets and shower heads to prevent burns from hot water. You may need a plumber to install the device for you. While you’re at it, set your water temperature to 120F to prevent burns.

Smoke Detectors

It’s not enough to install smoke detectors in your home. You must check them at least once a month to ensure that they’re working. Change the batteries when needed or use 10 year batteries if you’re likely to forget.

Window Guards and Safety Netting

Window guards and netting will help to prevent falls from the deck, balcony, and windows. You’ll have to check the guards to ensure that they remain secure. Install an easy to remove guard on at least one window in each room so you can easily exit through the window in case of a fire.

Security Alarms

Call in a professional to install a monitored security alarm to protect your home from burglars and other uninvited guests. Ideally, the alarm should ring in your home as well as at the monitoring station – this way you can send a clear message to the intruder that you’re aware of his presence.

Nothing is more important than ensuring your children’s safety. Follow the simple tips outlined above, and you’ll be one step closer to a kid friendly home.

John Bowen is a child psychologist. He loves to share great parenting tips on homeowner and family blogs. Visit this site for more home security ideas.

Originally published July 2, 2013

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Summer Tips For Kids At Home

Are your kids staying at home for the summer? Once your children get to a certain age, you can't really enroll them into an expensive daycare. There comes a point in every parent's life where they must learn to trust their children to stay at home alone. That time usually comes when there is a summer break for the kids but you have to go to work everyday. Here are some tips for parents to keep their children at home entertained and safe.

Chores

Some children do best where there is a structure. Summer gives many children a bunch of free time that they are not used to. Keep them busy with at least one chore to do every day, or at least every other day. Tell them to vacuum the carpet or dust the family room. Have a weekly inspection of their room at the end of the week. If you come home to a clean house, you can reward them with a treat or a little extra something that will make them happy. You can make a list for your child to do throughout the week and have them check it off at the end. There are endless possibilities to keep your child busy and to help keep the home clean for when you come home.

Art Projects

Many children get bored because they have nothing interesting to do at home when they are alone. Kids can't go out and buy the things that will keep them happy and stimulated. Do something to keep them entertained. Provide them with whatever they need to stay out of trouble for the summer. Buy them pencils and a sketch pad. If you know that your teen is well behaved and clean, buy them paints. You will be surprised with that your children can do with a little encouragement and the right tools.

Safety

Staying home alone for the summer isn't without any danger. Strangers can come up to the home and knock on the door while you are gone. Teach your children not to answer the door for any stranger, and not to make any sign that they might be inside. It is also wise to tell your children not to go outside at all unless you are home to supervise them. It might seem a bit restrictive to now allow them in the backyard, but it is better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your kids.

If you have home security systems from companies like Smith Monitoring, your child can have access to a panic button. This way, if someone strange is at the door and isn't going away, your child can easily press the panic button on your home alarm. Of course, make sure your children know their address and how to call 9-1-1. Have a designated safe spot in the house for your child to go to in case of a burglar entering the home. A good place is a closet that has a lot of stuff in it for them to hide among.

About the Author: Andrea is a writer, blogger, and artist. Check out her blogs to read up on all things pets, family, and the home.

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5 Activities Your Kids Can Do This Summer To Cure Boredom

It's almost here. May is already upon us and that means summer is a mere few more weeks away. Summer is great for your kids, but not so great for you. As a big kid, you have to go to your grown-up job. As a little kid, your young ones get to stay up late watching TV and eating junk food all day long. While this is fun for about a day, your kids are sure to become bored with it. Here are 5 activities your kids can do this summer to make sure boredom doesn't strike their summer life.

1. Play outside

Too many kids are obsessed with technology. They have iPads, Kindles, iPhones, computers, and all other little devices that do nothing but enable them to veg out on the couch for hours on end. Your kids probably do this all the time, but you know that they will get bored with it. Instead of allowing them 'wireless device time' for eight hours out of a day, give them the option to go play outside. Set up a basketball court behind your house or give them a soccer ball that they can kick around in the backyard. If they have a babysitter, the pool is always a great option for long summer days when you are stuck at the office.

2. Grab a book

Your kids will probably give you a weird look when you suggest this one. But if they get to read it on their Kindle or iPad, they might be more inclined. There are a ton of exciting books that your kids can read depending on their age. From The Hunger Games to Harry Potter, there is something that is bound to attract their attention in some way. Reading always passes the time faster than watching a ton of TV. Plus, it's good for their intellectual development!

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