Home security and home safety for kids

Making the home a comfortable and safe environment is what we all strive for, especially if there are kids in the house. Whether it’s a foster home, a grandparent’s house or family home, making sure that your home is as safe as possible can be challenging. When school holidays arrive or unexpected school closures occur, being prepared with good home security for children will mean one less worry during stressful times. Here are all the important things to think about to help you be on top of home safety, with children in mind.

Babies and toddlers

It goes without saying that adult supervision is needed at all times, but especially when there are babies around. Growing, rolling, crawling and taking their first steps; for them it’s a whole new world, but for parents it shows just how many dangers there are in your living room alone! Here are some safety points to be thinking about when baby-proofing – and toddler-proofing – your home:

• Safety guards are needed for stairs and balconies or any entry to higher levels

• Make sure windows are locked and where needed, install window guards to prevent any mini explorers climbing up (especially upper storeys). Keep any blind cords tucked away out of reach

• Always review cot safety by checking barriers are locked up and that nothing unsafe is in the cot or under blankets. Follow the safe-sleep guidelines for babies

• Use baby monitors during the night and for naptimes to be responsive at a moment’s notice. A security camera with an app for visual monitoring is more reliable

• Keep prams and play seats on wheels locked when not in use, and always use the straps when out walking

• Be clued up on baby first aid and choking advice

CPR and first aid

Make sure you’re up to date with first aid and CPR knowledge. There are plenty of helpful videos online but always reference NHS guidelines first. The info takes you through CPR on adults to children.

Have you got a first aid kit in the home and car? Always have a fully stocked first aid kit and a good medical drawer or cupboard to be well prepared for injuries and illnesses at home.

Home security

Our home is our sanctuary, especially for kids. It’s also a place where children can develop, grow, learn and discover. The place where relationships strengthen and a place that is safe. But is it secure? Unfortunately, the world has its dangers that can find their way into the most loving of homes and there are ways we can help better defend ourselves using smart security systems.

Surveillance and making homes secure has never been so easy as of today, thanks to technology. A home security camera can give you instant access to video footage right to your mobile or any device, anytime, anywhere to help you check up on your home and kids. If you’ve left children with a babysitter or they’re asleep at nighttime, you can check in just by viewing on an app. You can see and hear what’s happening at home in an instant.

Electrical safety

• Especially for younger children, you need to make sure you’re covering plug sockets, switching things off and not leaving dangerous wires lying around.

• Replace or repair worn cords and appliances

• Use safety caps for plug sockets if not in use

• Don’t leave wires and cables on the floor, have them attached to walls neatly where possible

• Switch off appliances and sockets when not in use

• Get an electrician to install safety switches that cut power off to avoid electrocution

• Avoid using extension cords as much as possible to avoid tripping and injuries

• Don’t overload outlets, make sure there aren’t too many devices plugged in at once to avoid overheating, small explosions and fire. Look for power strips as alternatives

• Keep all electrics away from water and drinks; don’t allow children near them with liquids

Kitchen safety for children

• Keep children away from hobs, hot surfaces, hot liquids and fire to prevent burns and scalds

• For younger, inquisitive children, make sure hazardous and dangerous items are locked or hidden away in high cupboards and out of reach, such as batteries and medicines

• Make sure child steps aren’t free to use in the kitchen

• If you’re teaching children to wash their hands, make sure sharp and dangerous objects are out of bounds and use knife guards

• If children are helping with fun activities like baking, keep hygiene standards maintained and make sure they’re protected when using any equipment and cutlery. Again, make sure they’re never handling hot liquids, surfaces and sharp objects

• Use appropriate highchairs with secure straps when feeding babies and toddlers and always supervise them when eating

• Make sure recycled items like glass are securely hidden away in recycle containers and are frequently disposed of in outside recycling bins

Garden safety

• Make sure sheds are locked and secure

• If you’ve been gardening or working outdoors, always clear up and lock away tools. Never leave them unattended

• If lawn mowing or working with dangerous equipment, make sure children are far away and understand the dangers

• Always unplug tools, lawnmowers and work drills etc. when taking breaks

• Keep on top of plants in the garden to make sure no nasty or poisonous plants are growing. Research deadly plants and remove from your garden if present

• Make sure back gates and doors are locked and fully secure, especially when outside in the garden

• Help keep children more secure when playing in gardens by keeping fences high and sturdy. Don’t make it easy for trespassers to enter or for your children to run off

• Install outdoor security cameras that are weatherproof with apps to monitor – you can use our SimpliCam outside by pairing it with the Outdoor Kit

Living room safety

• Don’t leave obstacles lying around for children to trip up on, or indeed for adults too

• Make sure furniture is sturdy. Bookcases and tall units may need to be braced to walls

• Brace or strap modern, flat-screen televisions to walls

• Just like electrical safety, make sure wires and cables are neatly hidden and not easily grabbed. Attach to walls if possible

• Switch off all unused appliances and plug sockets and use safety caps

• Use sharp edge protectors for furniture such as coffee table and TV stands

Bathroom safety

• Try to have hot water delivered to the bathroom at a maximum of 50 degrees Celsius whilst still mixing with cold water for baths and hand washing

• Always supervise children when bathing

• Keep bath products high up and unreachable

• Keep razors, nail clippers etc. high up or locked away

• Bleach and cleaning products should never be accessible or on the floor next to toilets

• If there are child steps to help them with washing hands and brushing teeth etc., again make sure they can only reach safe products

Children and pets at home

• It’s important to explain pet safety with children from an early age but also to supervise them near pets for the safety of both

• If you have babies and toddlers, make sure pet food is securely hidden and that fresh bowls of pet food are only put out when pets are due feeding

• Make sure they understand what they’re not allowed to do and how pets can retaliate e.g. don’t pull too hard on dog’s ears or poke animals’ eyes.

Making homes safer for kids is easy to do as long as you keep checking and upholding these tips. We can all do our best in making sure children are safe at home and have all the safeguards and protections in place but when it comes to home security, we need to make sure we have the right software and tools that are designed with high security in mind. The outside by pairing it with the Warwick home security system is designed for homes of all sizes and secures all entry points to your home as it comes with seven entry sensors to protect doors and windows. A SimpliCam is also included to check in on kids at home or in another room so you can have peace of mind that you’re making your home more secure.