How to childproof your London home
We’re sure we don’t need to tell you that London is a wonderful place to bring up your kids, but childproofing your property in the capital comes with a set of challenges unique to city life. Below, we’ve put together some tips to help you keep your home safe for your family:
…if you have a garden
Gardens in London aren’t famous for their size. However, if you do happen to have enough space then a dedicated area for your children, sectioned off with hedges or fencing, can be a great way to keep them safe outdoors and stop their toys from taking over. Make sure any sharp objects are out of reach and check for broken glass or rubbish that may have been thrown over your wall if your garden is near a walkway. Test older garden walls for stability and childproof any gates to help keep kids safely contained.
…if you have a period property
Undoubtedly one of the main attractions of Victorian and Edwardian properties are their fireplaces with original features. However, if you have kids running around it’s a slightly different story. Of course, you’ll need to buy a fire gate with enough space to keep your child away from sparks and embers as well as housing your tools. A more aesthetically pleasing solution may be to say goodbye to fires for a while. Instead you could leave your fireplace empty, letting its period features take centre stage, or fill it with logs, books or souvenirs and mementos depending on your taste in interiors.
Period-style windows can also be risky for little ones. Window restrictors are essential for sash windows to ensure that they don’t manage to open them and fall out, or accidentally catch their hands or fingers.
Older buildings often have steep, uneven staircases which can be difficult to childproof as there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Trying to see your staircase through your child’s eyes can help – get down onto their level and have a careful look for loose nails, uneven steps or large gaps in your bannisters. A carpet or a runner might be a good investment, as it will minimise the risk of any falls thanks to wooden floors.
…if you have a new build
New build homes occasionally have ‘snags’, examples of poor workmanship. Cupboard doors or draws that don’t close properly are one to watch out for, so conduct an audit of your kitchen and bathroom to ensure any dangerous household items are securely stored away. Double check your window handles to ensure that your windows can properly shut or be fixed in place when your kids are around. Finally, we’d recommend examining your skirting boards or stairs to ensure that there are no sharp edges for kids to catch themselves on.
If you’d like to learn more about how to make your home family-friendly, take a look at our blog for tips on interiors, healthy homes and more.
*this is a sponsored post.
