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Raising kids in St. Louis, one of the biggest cities of Missouri can be hectic for many reasons. Safe neighborhoods, nurseries, house maintenance- there are already many things to worry about when you have curious toddlers to raise. Not to mention the added risk of being surrounded by electricity and electrical equipment unsafe for kids. Whether it is phone chargers, extension cables, power outlets, or any other electrical device, all of this equipment has become ingrained in our way of life.

However, when children are around, we must exercise extra caution while utilizing electrical devices and wiring. A split second of carelessness may have severe repercussions. Therefore, it is best to be especially cautious when it comes to the protection of children at home.

Insight

When we discuss kid-proofing a house in St. Louis, the first thing that comes to mind is a kid sticking his finger into an electrical socket. Isn’t that so? This is the most sensitive zone, where children often attempt to use their intelligence. However, as we all know, electric current travels very fast, and any direct contact can cause mild discomfort to disfigurement or disability, as well as death.

While you cannot confine children to a specific area, you can establish a safe zone for them by installing appropriate electrical equipment and safety measures throughout your house. While the ideal course of action is to have a well-planned electrical system built, you can begin by covering all electrical outlets and ensuring that all cables are adequately insulated to prevent any electrical mishaps.

Ideally, all cables should be kept out of reach of small kids. Also, a home inspection can be a great way to find and fix if any problems already exist. A professional electrician in St. Louis, MO, can help you with inspection and fixing with their expertise.

So, without further ado, let us discuss the tips to kid-proof your house!

Kid-Proofing House Tips

Electrical Sockets 

Babies and toddlers are intrigued by electrical outlets and often insert their fingers, keys, pens, or similar objects into them. And you are aware of how lethal it may be. Thus, the simplest method of preventing shocks caused by electrical plugs is to cover them with plastic covers readily available in the market. Alternatively, you may have shuttered sockets fitted to resolve this issue permanently. Havells offers a selection of shuttered sockets that are both simple to install and visually pleasing.

Cables and Wires

Apart from electrical outlets, cables and cords are the second most frequent source of electrical shock for children. Frequently, children attempt to mimic their parents by inserting cables or plugs into sockets, which can be hazardous.

Apart from this, unsecured wires or cables strewn on the floor can be a significant source of trip hazards for youngsters. The quickest solution to make your home more child friendly to this issue is duct tape to secure these cables to the room’s corners and walls. Alternatively, these cables can be shortened to the necessary length.

Wires used in the house should be adequately insulated to ensure the safety of children. Historically, rubber and polymer were used to insulate wires. However, some companies have begun using halogen to insulate wires. Since halogen is a dangerous gas that quickly catches fire, you should use a halogen-protected wire.

These wires are highly recommended for installation in high-rise structures since they accommodate a more significant number of people and therefore need the greatest level of safety. Also, you can insulate the wires with a PVC covering, which works nicely. An expert electrician in St. Louis can help you out when choosing and implementing them.

Additional Electrical Devices

Children love climbing over television screens, mesmerized by their vibrant colors. As a result, parents must ensure that their television sets are securely attached to the wall using anti-tipping hardware. In addition, appliances such as electric trimmers, hairdryers, and water heaters should be used with caution in restrooms.

Due to the excellent conductivity of water, caution should be used while utilizing small equipment near bathtubs or sinks. You must never leave these devices alone while children are around. All light fixtures and electrical outlets must be securely enclosed and kept away from the shower area. Additionally, in the kitchen, equipment such as the microwave, air fryer, and toasters must be disconnected after use to prevent children from accidentally turning them on.

Additional Tips

Apart from baby-proofing, the most comprehensive protection against electric shock in a house is a well-planned electrical system consisting of high-quality flame retardant wires and cables, a miniature circuit breaker (MCB), a safety device, and a residual current circuit breaker (RCCB). In addition, Havells provides a comprehensive variety of residential switchgear, which you can install to guarantee the safety of your family members at home. Most homes in St. Louis, MO already have them.

Any defective or damp wiring increases the likelihood that an electric current will flow through an individual’s body when they come into touch. However, by selecting the appropriate circuit breakers, you can safeguard against any electrical accident. In addition, if a current leak occurs due to faulty wiring, the safety switch will come to your rescue by instantly cutting power.

Similarly, an RCCB is beneficial when a structure lacks earthing. An RCCB is a differential current detecting device that incorporates a switch that instantly shuts off in the event of a leakage fault and does not re-energize via neutral.

Though most electrical hazards can be mitigated via circuit breakers and appropriate insulation, it is always advisable to contact a professional to guarantee the greatest protection against electrical issues. A well-designed electrical system ensures that no severe harm occurs due to accidental contact with live wires.

Conclusion

Never forget that a single piece of faulty wiring can result in small breakouts, damage, and even loss of life and property in St. Louis, Missouri. When it comes to safeguarding your children, knowledge is critical. Even a single piece of helpful information can result in the prevention of an accident. As a result, it is critical to double-check your child-proofing efforts, get down on your hands and knees in every area of your house, and examine things through the eyes of a child.

Decorating your home to be stylish, on-trend, and kid-friendly at the same time can be a challenge! If you are like me, and love to include delicate furnishings such as glass coffee tables, crystal vases, and porcelain statues, you could definitely be faced with a dilemma! The thought of your décor being knocked down by children and pets, and even causing them some harm along the way, makes us what to give up on our home’s décor right away. With the right eye, and a little attention to detail, you won’t need to sacrifice style for comfort or safety with these 5 easy tricks:

Arrange a Smart Seating Area

The most important part of a family living room is the seating, having somewhere for every member of the family to sit. A large 3-seater sofa, mixed with a smaller sofa or armchair should create plenty of room, but an even better way to make use of available space is to have an L-shaped chaise sofa. This design can be placed up against the wall and fitted into a corner in smaller living rooms, or placed in the center of a large living room to create a more cozy, and defined seating area.

Style By Henderson

Use Ottomans Instead of Coffee Tables

Yes, you are going to have to swap your lovely glass coffee table for an ottoman! No worries, ottomans can still be both trendy and very multifunctional. Use them as a place to serve drinks, and dessert, and also as a footstool or even a storage solution – some contain hidden storage compartments to keep magazines, and electronics. Pick your ottoman out in a fabric that is easy to clean, but tie it in to your room’s existing décor to keep a consistent feel.

Digs By Katie

Keep Tidy with Lots of Storage Options

To avoid a family living room looking like a playroom, it is going to need plenty of storage. Tidy up the room by placing bookcases against the walls or install built in shelving units. These are great to store books, attractive storage boxes, and also to put your favourite keepsakes on display. Make sure to keep the lowest shelves free for boxes to store kids’ toys and games. This way, they can easily reach the shelves to clean up or take our their games.

Design Manifest

Install High Shelves to Avoid Breakages

If you love to place decorative items on display, keep them on shelves that are above adult waist level to avoid kids grabbing them and causing breakages. Place precious items on tall bookcases or even install floating shelves for a look that is modern and minimalistic, yet safe for the whole family.

Sterling Publishing

Keep Cozy with Soft Flooring

Rich, dark hardwood is by far my favourite type of flooring, although it’s very prone to scratches, and wear and tear, especially in high-traffic areas such as the living room. You can always protect your hardwood by rolling out a large, durable outdoor rug to cover your whole living room, even underneath your sofas. These rugs are built for spills, dirt, and stains, so no worries when it comes to maintenance. If you are worried about little ones taking a tumble, a deep pile rug is your best bet to for a soft, and warm flooring option. Whatever you choose, make sure to protect your existing flooring to avoid the hassle of fixing scratches, and water damage on good quality hardwood floors.

Jodie Rosen