When you have kids, a lot of things in your life have to change. You’ll find that your routine is completely upheaved, you may have to adapt to new working arrangements and your social life takes less of a priority. Another element of your life that will change is your home. You’re going to have to adapt your property to be more child-friendly, especially during the younger years of your little ones’ lives. But what can you do to achieve this? Here are some changes you might want to take into consideration!
Wooden Floors
Carpets are luscious. They look and feel luxurious. They can help to give your home a more cozy atmosphere. But anyone with kids will be able to tell you that carpets become pretty high maintenance when it comes to maintaining them when you have children. Carpets are harder to clean than other types of flooring. This is mainly due to them being made up of fibers that can trap dirt, hold stains and generally wear down and start looking worse for wear. Wooden floors, on the other hand, are much easier to clean and to replace or repair if serious damage is done. It’s easier to change a couple of slats than to have to take up and replace a whole carpet. Look into hardwood flooring options that will make your life that bit easier.
Invest in a Carpet Cleaner
If you do decide to have carpets, you should invest in a carpet cleaner. Sure, a vacuum will pick up surface dirt, such as dried mud or crumbs. But dirt can burrow further into the pile. A carpet cleaning machine will clean the carpet and lift dirt and stains out. They come with a high price tag, but for how much use you’ll get out of them, they’re more than worth the investment.
Secure Furniture to Walls
When you live alone or with other adults, you don’t generally have to worry about anyone climbing on the furniture. But for children, bookshelves, cupboards, and other furniture can quickly start to look like a fun climbing frame. Make sure that all furniture is secured to walls to prevent accidents. While children should be supervised and shouldn’t be allowed to climb up or pull furniture, it can help to prevent accidents while your attention is diverted.
Take Care With Blinds
Does your house have blinds fitted to the windows? Make sure to pay attention to their strings. These can pose a hazard to children, who could easily get tangled up in them. Sadly, this type of situation has proven fatal for some children. So, make sure that strings are tied up and kept out of the way of your little ones. Alternatively, have your blinds removed and opt for curtains instead.
These are just a few steps that will help to move your home towards becoming a more child-friendly environment. Each can make all the difference, so give them a try!
