How to Childproof Your Home for Holiday Guests

The holidays are a time for family to come together and enjoy each other’s company. It’s exciting but also stressful. Especially if you’re hosting the holidays with guests who have children.

Childproofing your home ahead of time can alleviate that stress. Plus, it will prevent potential accidents.

In this article, we’ll discuss the importance of childproofing your home for the holidays. We’ll also provide some quick and easy ways you can make your home safer for your guests.

What Does Child Proofing Mean?

Childproofing means taking steps to prevent injury or damage that may be caused by young children. There are all kinds of potential problem areas in a home—especially during the holidays.

That’s why it’s important to take these precautions.

Before your home fills up with guests who might have small children, make sure it’s a safe space. Especially around the holidays, when many people travel and stay together in one house.

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Why Child Proof?

Accidents happen all too often around the holidays, and children are no exception. A child who is left unsupervised can easily get into trouble or hurt themselves if they’re not properly watched.

And it’s nearly impossible to watch a child nonstop.

The most common injuries that occur in homes during this time of year include:

• Burns from ovens, stoves, candles or heaters
• Falling down stairs
• Electrical hazards, like decorative lights
• Cuts from sharp objects

How to Childproof Your Home for the Holidays

Once you’ve decided that child-proofing is necessary, there are several quick and easy ways you can make your home safer inside.

Electrical

Electrical outlets should be covered or turned off when not in use.

Cords should be hidden or unplugged to prevent children from becoming entangled, which is another common injury during the holidays. When plugged-in cords are left out and easily accessible, it’s not safe for children.

Additionally, outlets near the floor should have childproof plugs. These stop children from inserting foreign objects into them.

Stairs

Stair gates should be installed. These can easily prevent accidental falls down the stairs, which is one of the most common injuries around this time of year.

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Bathroom Safety

Bathtubs and toilets need to have a secure childproof cover or lid on them so that small children can’t fall in.

Furniture

Be sure there are no hard or sharp edges on furniture, decorations, stair steps, corners or appliances. These could all too easily cause injury.

Kids may be playing in spaces they aren’t familiar with. You’ll need to make sure any sharp or dangerous edges are covered.

Burns

Stovetops and ovens should be turned off when they’re not in use.

When you are cooking, it can be fun to invite children to help. However, take care to watch over them while they pitch in. Especially when preparing a large holiday meal, there’s a lot going on. It would be easy for a child to get burned.

If you have a fireplace or wood-burning stove, keep them locked up at all times to prevent children from playing with fire.

Appliances

Keep dangerous kitchen appliances out of reach, such as knives, electric can openers and other small appliances.

In Conclusion

These are just some simple ways that you can childproof your home for the holidays.

If you’re hosting guests who have small children, be sure to include these in your preparations and make their stay as safe and happy as possible!

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