Childproofing Your Home? Here’s 8 Things You Need to Buy Right Now
Once children come into your life, everything changes. Those little bundles of joy are the center of your world, but their curiosity and vulnerability can also be a source of constant worry in the home. Keeping your little ones safe from accidents and injury at home can sometimes feel like a phenomenal task.
It’s no secret that children love to run around, leap off couches, bang into things and regularly fall over. That’s not to mention their seemingly magical ability to be drawn to everything they should avoid.
There are a wealth of products on the market designed to transform your home into a child-safe haven. Unfortunately, many of them can also leave your home looking a little like a daycare center. The safety of your children will always come first, but there’s nothing wrong with wanting to retain some semblance of style in your home at the same time.
We that in mind, this article shares our 8 favorite childproofing products discussed in Episode Three of our How To Home Podcast “Childproofing Your Home”.
1. Hiccapop Foam Bed Bumpers
Once your little angel has graduated to a grown-up bed, the inevitable risk of falls increases. If your child rolls too far in their sleep and there’s nothing to stop them, the phrase “things that go bump in the night” will take on a whole new meaning.
If you want to keep your child safe from falling out of bed without making them look caged, these bed bumpers from Hiccapop are the perfect solution. Designed to be fitted underneath the bed sheets, they are very discreet and don’t stand out like an eyesore in the room.
Once installed, these comfy foam bumpers act as a subtle barrier that stops your child from rolling right over the edges and falling to the floor. If they turn over in their sleep, the sensation of a raised lip at the edge of the bed subconsciously prevents them from moving any further and coming out of bed altogether.
Non-skid bottoms ensure that the bumpers stay firm and will not slip off easily, so you can feel confident your child is safe even if they toss and turn energetically in their sleep. They are simple to install in only a few minutes without the need for tools and will fit all standard sized mattresses.
At a Glance:
- Fitted under the bed sheets so they don’t stand out
- Prevent your child from rolling out of bed
- Soft material protects against bumps and bruises
- Non-skid bottoms mean they stay firmly in place
- Easy to install in mere minutes
2. Sleep Aid Red LED Night Light for Bedroom with Dusk to Dawn Auto Sensor
As any parent will know, children very rarely sleep right through the night. Your little ones will often wake up needing the bathroom or seeking comfort after a bad dream, so how do you keep them safe from tripping over or banging into something in the dark?
Night lights are the obvious solution. Many of these produce blue or white colored light, though, which can disturb your child’s sleep because blue and white light reduces the production of melatonin, the hormone that is responsible for making us feel sleepy and regulating our sleep cycle. Essentially, these light colors make the brain believe it is daytime, which doesn’t bode well if you want your child to settle down and get a good night’s rest.
That’s where these Sleep Aid Red LED Nightlights come in handy. Red colored light has been proven not to interfere with the production of melatonin, so you can illuminate your child’s bedroom without disrupting their sleep cycle or yours. The soothing red light helps your little one to drift off into a deep sleep and won’t disturb them during the night.
These LED nightlights are bright enough to gently illuminate the entire room and include a built-in dusk to dawn sensor that automatically switches them on when it gets dark.
They plug easily into the wall outlet without blocking the plug next to them, so you won’t need to keep removing them every time you want to plug another device in.
There’s no need to worry about energy costs with these night lights, either. The LEDs within are super-efficient, lasting for around 30,000 hours and costing merely cents a month to run. All you need to do is plug them in, forget about them, and enjoy safer, more restful nights for both you and your child.
At a Glance:
- Super-easy to install
- Red light promotes relaxation and doesn’t disrupt sleep
- Gently illuminates your child’s room
- Built-in dusk to dawn sensor
- Doesn’t block neighboring wall outlets
- Highly energy efficient
3. 4moms Temperature Sensing Spout Cover
Bathtime for your baby or toddler comes with many dangers. Some of the most worrisome are potential burns from scalding water and injuries caused by slipping and banging their heads against the spout. Luckily, the 4Moms Spout Cover helps you to easily prevent such accidents, so you can bath your child with less anxiety.
The 4Moms Spout Cover allows you to quickly see whether water coming out is at a safe temperature for your child’s sensitive skin. It fits securely over your current spout and uses a specialized sensor to monitor the water temperature. As you adjust the faucet, the water temperature is displayed on an easy-to-read, color-coded LCD screen. You have a choice of temperature settings in either Celsius or Fahrenheit. These are quick and simple to switch between by pressing and holding down the power button.
The “comfort zone” is displayed in green, but should the temperature be too cold or too hot, the screen color changes to blue or red respectively. Also, an audible alarm will sound if the water becomes too hot, which is useful if you’re otherwise distracted or your child plays with the taps while you’ve nipped out of the room. As an added bonus, the 4Moms Spout Cover is made from soft foam, so it will protect your little one from nasty bruises should they slip and bang their head against the faucet.
At a Glance:
- Fits snugly over your existing spout
- Easy to use
- Monitor clearly displays current water temperature
- Choice of Celsius or Fahrenheit readings
- Color-changing LCD screen and audible warning alarm
- Soft foam material protects against head bumps
4. Skyla Homes – Clear Corner Protectors
Once you have kids, it seems that even the most unassuming of objects become a source of danger. All of a sudden, your previously innocent-looking dining table or nightstand turns into a minefield of pointy corners, ready to cut open a head or poke into your little ones eye.
Thankfully, we have found the perfect product to help you rest a little easier as your child runs wild through your home – Skyla Homes Clear Corner Protectors. These neat little protectors are made from non-toxic, soft and long-lasting material that fit securely over any sharp corners, defending your little ones from accident and injury. They are quick and simple to apply, just peel off the covering to reveal the super-strong adhesive beneath and firmly stick on.
One of the best things about these corner protectors is that they are barely visible when applied, so you won’t lose the aesthetic appeal of your furniture. They are also certified as choke-proof, so in the unlikely event they come off, they won’t become a risk themselves.
At a Glance:
- Simple to apply
- Non-toxic material
- Strong adhesive lasts a long time
- Protects against accidents and injuries
- Almost invisible, so you retain aesthetics of furniture
- Choke-proof
5. Clear Child Proof Electrical Outlet Protector Safety Caps
It often seems that children make a natural bee-line towards anything that can hurt them. The potential risk posed by unprotected electrical outlets is huge and must be considered if you have young children in the home.
The best way to defend your kids against injury is to use clear electrical outlet protector caps. These simple plastic devices are very easy to use, all you need to do is insert them into any unused electrical outlets and walk away with peace of mind.
The clear plastic design means they will blend into your home without attracting any unwanted attention from your kids or visitors. Sold in packs of 32 pieces or more, these outlet protectors are an effective, simple and economical choice to keep your children safe from electrical hazards.
At a Glance:
- Keeps electrical outlets covered
- Simple to install
- Clear plastic blends into your home
- Inexpensive for a large quantity
6. Little Nomad Play Mat Floor Tiles
Toddlers and young children are famously clumsy. While learning to put one foot in front of the other without falling on your face is all part of growing up, seeing your child go crashing to the floor is enough to give parents a minor heart attack. This is especially true if your home has hard floors. Stone, wood and tile flooring looks beautiful, but poses an increased risk of injury if your child takes a tumble.
Luckily, laying unsightly bright-colored play mats all over your home isn’t the only way to protect your precious ones from bumps and bruises. Little Nomad creates stunning, aesthetically pleasing floor mat tiles which are so attractive, your visitors will think you have a beautiful new rug! They come in gorgeous geometric patterns and soft pastel colors that compliment your home, rather than make it look like a daycare center.
Made from non-toxic EVA foam, each 2ft x 2ft tile fits perfectly into those around them, leaving barely any visible trace of a join. You can easily customize the size and shape to match your floor space, as well as mix up the designs should you wish.
These mats don’t just protect against falls. They also wipe clean and do a great job of cushioning your knees when playing with the kids. In our eyes, Little Nomad Play Mat Floor Tiles offer a beautiful solution to keep your children safe and your home looking stylish.
At a Glance:
- Protects against bruises and injuries from falls
- Beautiful designs look like decorative rugs
- Wipe-clean
- Can be customized to fit any space
- Manufactured from non-toxic EVA foam
7. Munchkin White Hot Inflatable Duck Tub
Once your little one has grown out of the baby tub and is ready for the big bath, this Munchkin White Hot Inflatable Duck Tub will make the transition much safer, and easier. This fun blow-up duck is the perfect size for babies aged between 6 and 24 months; allowing you to keep them contained and reduce the risk of them sliding under the water. The base of the tub is textured to limit slipping and make sure baby is secure, while the inflatable design ensures it is soft and comfortable.
The most impressive feature of this product, however, is its innovative “white hot technology”. This turns the base of the tub white to let you know if the water inside is too hot, changing to blue once a safe temperature has been reached. Thus taking the guesswork out of bath time once and for all!
Furthermore, you won’t have to strain yourself by lifting a heavy, water-filled duck when bath time is over. Simply open the conveniently placed drain in the base and leave it to do its thing.
At a Glance:
- Enables safe transition from baby bath to adult tub
- Textured base reduces risk of slipping under the water
- “White hot technology” changes color to indicate safe water temperature
- Convenient drain in base means you don’t have to lift when filled
8. Munchkin Xtraguard Dual Action Multi Use Latches
Given the chance, babies and toddlers just love to get into all your cabinets, drawers, appliances and even the toilet. Preventing your kids from getting into these places they shouldn’t is vitally important to keep them safe. A great way to do this is to use Munchkin Xtraguard Dual Action Multi Use Latches.
These latches feature two blocks with an adhesive base, connected by a strap that will only be released when two buttons are pressed. The latches are easy to open for adults, and you’ll soon find yourself doing it without a second thought. For babies and toddlers, though, these latches are simply impossible to figure out, which is exactly what you want.
They are easy to install without the need for any special tools, you just need to peel off the cover to reveal the sticky backing and apply. Additionally, because the strap is super-flexible, they can be effortlessly applied around corners. This is very useful if you want to secure a fridge door or toilet seat, for example. Whilst these latches certainly aren’t invisible, they don’t look offensive in the home, either. The design is fairly sleek and streamlined, so you can keep your kids out of dangerous spaces in relative style.
At a Glance:
- Simple to apply
- Flexible strap means they can be used around corners
- Two button press is easy for adults to use
- Effectively prevents kids from opening cabinets, appliances and even the toilet.
- Design is relatively inoffensive
Final Thoughts
Childproofing your home will make you see terrible dangers in places where you wouldn’t have batted an eyelid before. It is an unfortunate fact that your little angels have an incredible talent to get into places they shouldn’t and thereby potentially causing themselves serious injury as a result. Thankfully, taking action to childproof your home doesn’t need to be difficult. Nor does it have to drastically change your home’s appearance.
As the items featured in this article have shown, there are many effective yet subtle childproofing products available on the market today. All of these options will help keep your little ones safe from danger and allow you to preserve some pride in your home.
