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Some of us might consider ourselves as grownups and therefore feel that getting a kid is the natural next step. Others not so much. Hey, no matter your future plans we don’t judge.\u00a0But if you feel adult\u00a0enough to bring a little person into your life (forever), you got to make sure that not only you are up to the task but also your apartment. Why? Because if you’ve ever been around kids you’ll known they are more resourceful and crafty than they look.\u00a0They can often find trouble in a place you wouldn\u2019t even think of. For homeowners and renters alike, this can spell a whole lot of trouble if your apartment isn\u2019t kid proof. Most apartments and living spaces are constructed with adults in mind, but if you now have a kid roaming around your home, you need to make sure the landscape is safe for them.<\/p>\n
When you own a home, it is often easy enough to change things about the home to make kid-proofing easier. However, when you are renting (and thus have more restrictions about what you can and cannot do), it can be more difficult. Stress not, here’s a couple of tips to help transform your bachelor pad to a kid safe place.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 1. Keep cupboards locked<\/b><\/p>\n This one you probably know about, since it’s pretty much self explanatory.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0As soon as children are able to crawl and stand up, there is a good chance they are looking for places to explore and get into. One of their first targets are cupboards, which can often contain harmful chemicals under the sink, or heavy pans or plates that could cause injury to your child or damage to your apartment. Many different devices exist that can \u201cchild-proof\u201d your cupboards and can be bought from most stores. If you don\u2019t feel like purchasing anything or can\u2019t find them, a rubber band wrapped around the handles can often suffice.<\/p>\n 2. Tether larger and heavy items<\/b><\/p>\n From when children are learning to stand up and walk, they often grab onto anything and everything to help them get up. Things like TVs, tables, bookshelves, and more should be sturdy and stabilized to make sure that the child cannot pull them down when they try to hoist themselves into a standing position. Also, remove all heavy items from the tops of dressers or bookshelves so they will not fall off onto your child if he or she tugs on the furniture.<\/span><\/p>\n 3. Cover the electrical sockets<\/b><\/p>\n Electrical sockets can be extremely dangerous to children and any that are within a child\u2019s reach in your home, should be covered. There are a number of different ways to cover these sockets but the most common method is to buy plug protector covers that are often made of plastic which will prevent your child from electrocuting themselves. Also, electrical cords and cables can also be a safety hazard for children, so you should make sure they are tied up or safely hidden.<\/span><\/p>\n 4. Watch the balcony<\/b><\/p>\n While many single family homes or condos may have a backyard, most apartments have some sort of a balcony. For many apartment owners, this is your only outdoor space, which likely means you and your family may spend a considerable amount of time out there. You should make sure there is absolutely no way that your child can fall off the balcony or go on the balcony when you are not with them. If you don\u2019t have a balcony (and are still high up), do not leave any children unattended near open windows, for obvious reasons.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 5. Get low\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Thinking like a baby can really help you be able to recognize things you should alter in your home to make it safe for babies. By getting low on the floor, and seeing the world as they say it (no matter how dumb that might sound), you could possibly see things you need to change that you may have missed otherwise. This could be anything from loose tops on doorstops to an exposed nail or anything else that children may find in the crevices on the floor that you would never normally see.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 6. Put up barricades<\/b><\/p>\n