If you are a parent, your main concern in life is almost certainly the safety and well-being of your family. Particularly if you have small kids, you probably feel like you can’t do enough to make your home safe for them.

It is good to feel this way because it means that you are a conscientious parent. While you don’t want to let fear overwhelm you, there are measures that you can take that will help give you peace of mind and make sure that your home is as safe as possible for your little ones.

Ensuring overall home security

The last thing you need as a parent is to live in a home that has poor security. While the crime rate in Edmonton isn’t the absolute highest in the world, it is still a major city and you should be vigilant about keeping your property safe. 

This means several things:

  • Getting the right security system. These days, security systems are very advanced. Many of them are smart and allow for remote monitoring and even control. Regardless of where you might be, you can monitor all of the parts of your house and address any security issues right away.
  • Ensuring that you have good quality locks on doors and windows. Thieves are getting smarter all the time, so you should be sure that you have solid deadbolt locks on all your doors. Even your windows can leave you vulnerable to security risks, so choosing the right windows for Edmonton homes is vital. And they should have strong locks, as well.
  • Maintaining privacy is important. In the evening, it is a good idea to keep shades down so that people cannot see into your house. If potential burglars see something worth stealing, they will be more likely to want to rob you.

Cover or block off any areas you don’t want kids near

This might sound obvious, but you would be surprised at the number of things that many parents don’t think about before they become problematic. This can include:

  • Electrical outlets. Most outlets are designed so that people cannot get inside them, but kids can play with objects and generally get too close to live wires, which can have catastrophic consequences. Be sure to cover any outlets not being used.
  • Stairs. Always have gates at the tops and bottoms of stairs so that toddlers don’t run the risk of falling down them. You see how much they tend to topple over even on flat surfaces as they learn to walk; you don’t want this happening down a flight of stairs!
  • Rooms with delicate items. You should also install gates in front of any rooms where you don’t want the kids entering. Even if falling isn’t a potential issue, you don’t want your child accidentally knocking over your favorite vase.
  • Kitchen cupboards. Kids love to get into things. Cupboards are full of items that are new to them and which they might love to rip out and play with, just like their toys. This could wreak havoc on your home, and potentially cause injuries. There are easy ways to secure cupboards so that kids can’t get into them.

Invest in solid flooring material

Your floors will get a lot of traffic regardless of whether or not you have kids. With kids, you should be especially careful about choosing the right types and quality. Many people love the idea of having wood floors, but this isn’t necessarily a great idea if you have small children. Wood floors can easily become stained and damaged and thereby lose their aesthetic value.

Wall-to-wall carpets are another thing that you should avoid. Although they might sound like a good idea for families because they are soft and comfortable, they are not necessarily the best bet because kids are inevitably going to spill a lot of things.

It’s best to go with a good, solid material like laminate or vinyl. These materials are durable and can be cleaned easily.

Create dedicated play areas

Establishing dedicated play areas in the house can be a good idea for several reasons. For one thing, your kids will learn lessons early on about certain places being established only for particular purposes. This concept will be useful for them later on. This is not to suggest that you should never let your kids come into the bedroom and play, but establishing a general sense of boundaries is beneficial for development.

Another advantage of dedicated areas is that it helps you maintain order over your house. Your stress levels will lower, and you will feel like you are more in control of what happens inside your home. These areas don’t have to be completely separated from the rest of the family – you should keep an eye on your kids. But make an area that they know is theirs, and it will be good for everyone.

You’ll still have messes, but they can be easier to handle

Even if you create the perfect environment for raising a family, you will inevitably have some bumps along the way. This is all part of the job. But you can make life much easier for yourself, your kids, and your spouse by taking these simple measures to ensure safety and cleanliness. Then you can get to the fun part.