At last! You have found your new home in the Algarve! You've spent time looking into suitable neighbourhoods
with the best facilities to suit your family.
Children and animals are considered to be important members of the family. So, now you need to make sure that your home is a secure haven for your children and all of your furry friends.
Having a safe home to live in is top on the list, but child-proofing your home and having a pet-friendly home can be pretty daunting. However, we've done all of the legwork for you in terms of creating a
secure home for your family and pets.
Have fun reading and learning some ideas to help you keep your home safe for your family and pets!
Safe-Proofing Your Home
You may believe that the safety of your
Algarve home is self-evident. However, there are numerous nooks and crannies that a baby, child, or pet could get into that you may not have considered. So, let’s look at some ways to childproof your home. Not only child-proof but also making your home a pet-friendly house.
Softening Those Sharp Corners
The first and most obvious step in baby-proofing a home is to soften sharp corners: babies, toddlers, and animals like waddling and running from one room to another. So, if your home has sharp corners and low tables, the best way to protect your children and pets is to keep those corners guarded. Even items you might not consider can pose a threat to small children and pets, like:
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Door frames
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Heater covers
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Keys in door locks
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Kitchen counters
Any of the above could cause your child unintentional injury. So, you could use foam pads and maybe move tables into corners out of the way of potential harm.
Keep Your Drawers Locked
Keep your babies and toddlers from going into cupboards and drawers with the help of a variety of locks and latches. Every single cupboard and drawer is a favourite place for exploring little hands. For example:
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Kitchen cabinet
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Bedroom cupboard
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Laundry room cupboard
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Bathroom closet and the list goes on
It’s recommended that you invest in childproof locks for baby-proofing your home and keeping your bundle of joy safe.
Use Safety Gates
Baby gates are ideal for baby-proofing your home. Today, with more people working from home, baby gates could be an excellent way to create separate spaces in your home. First, however, make certain that the gates you install are safe and appropriate for the developmental stage of your infant or toddler. Where should you instal safety gates? Here are some tips:
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Place a safety gate at the top of each flight of stairs
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Also, place a safety gate at the bottom of a staircase
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Place safety gates to the outdoors
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These small details can ensure the safety of your toddlers, puppies, and kittens!
Look At Your Lighting
All homes have shadowy and dark spaces. Replace lightbulbs as needed, and if necessary, install lights in these areas. Installing floor night lights is another option if your child is not tall enough to reach a light switch.
Check Your Carpets and Rugs
Carpets and rugs can be a potential tripping hazard for small children and pets. Remove them or ensure that they have non-slip backing or are securely fastened to the floor.
Keep Household Equipment Out of Harm’s Way
Any household appliances are dangerous to have lying around. For example:
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Hair dryers
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Food processors
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Clothes irons
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Any appliances with cords
These appliances can be easily pulled down by accident and pose a serious risk. Therefore when not in use, keep them unplugged and put away, and never leave them unattended during heating or cooling.
Keep Medicines Out of Reach
You don't want to leave your medicines out where children and pets can get at them, even if they're in "child-proof" bottles. It's not worth the risk! Even medications sold over the counter and herbal supplements can be dangerous. Treat them all as poisons, and put them under lock and key up high in a safe place. Remember that kids are drawn to "pills" that look like candy, so be careful!
Accessibility to Washing Machines and Dryers
A washing machine and dryer pose a hazard to curious children. Remove any "footholds" that a child could use to climb onto the top of a top-loading washing machine and dryer.
Tumble dryers are a warm and inviting place to curl up and relax. Children should be warned of the dangers, and the dryer door should never be left open.
Store Chemicals and Cleaning Products Safely
Chemicals and cleaning products are often sold in very colourful packaging. Children are drawn to these colours. However, if bitten into, the contents of these materials can be inhaled or swallowed. Always take the time to store away cleaning products after use and keep them out of reach of children and pets.
Keep Sinks and Cleaning Buckets Empty
It may sound dramatic, but accidents happen in a blink of an eye. Make sure you don't leave these items unattended, and always drain water away or clear them after using them.
Keep Them Safe!
We hope that we have covered some tips for baby-proofing your Algarve home! Keep everyone from your children to your furry friends safe!
When purchasing or renting a
property in the Algarve, it’s always good to do a walk-through with other family members. This will help you get a different perspective and determine spots or areas you may have missed.
We know that
planning your new home to accommodate all of your loved ones and their necessities is a hard task, so don’t be afraid to ask for help, and don’t be too hard on yourself if you think you have missed something; it’s always better to be safe than regret it later!
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