If you’re planning a renovation to improve the look of your home or give it a fresh look, it’s important that you learn how to keep your child safe during the process. Because kids are naturally curious, it’s crucial that you ensure their safety while work is going on around the house. This article will teach you how to keep your child safe during renovation.
- Communicate With The Kids
Make sure that your kids are aware of the dangers in their environment. Kids will be curious about everything around them, and it’s crucial that they remain vigilant about all safety hazards. Make sure that you inform your kids about these dangers and remind them to keep themselves safe always.
There’s also the issue of comfort when strangers are around during the work. Explain to the kids what’s going on and what to expect during this time. Inform them how long the renovation will take place. This is especially crucial when you have teenagers who need privacy.
- Keep The Kids Out Of The Renovation Area
If the contractor didn’t create a division in the work site, you can create one yourself and explain to your kids the boundary line. If you have little ones, it’s best to use a DIY baby gate to keep the kids in a safe area while the renovation process is ongoing. This boundary line will ensure that your kids can safely play away from tools, electricity, and fumes, which can be harmful. Make sure that you have plenty of toys in the kids’ area so that they’ll have enough activities to do while work is going on.
- Inform Your Contractor
If your kids are at home while work is going on, ensure that your contractor knows that there are children around the home to make them more careful. Kids like to watch and, sometimes, ask many questions, so ensure that the workers know of the kids’ designated play area.
- Get Older Kids Involved
Kids like to get involved regardless of age, and older children may be more than excited to lend a helping hand, especially in designing the house. Ask your children for their choice of colors for their rooms to make the process more exciting for them. This is a great time to learn more about their interests and see if the path of home designing is something that they’d consider taking on in the future.
- Ensure Safety From Electric Shocks
One of the biggest risks during a home renovation is electricity. Electricity can easily kill anyone. Thus, it’s important to know that even a small electrical shock can cause severe injuries and even death if a person is injured. Even if the power is shut off, it’s important for your children to stay within reach of an adult, who’ll supervise their activities. Never allow the children to help themselves with any appliances or anything else inside the room.
- Keep Your Kids Supervised
Another thing that you need to ensure is keeping an eye on your kids always. Dust, tools, wires, equipment, and noise are just some of the things you can find in a renovation site. Don’t expect carpenters to prioritize creating a child-safe place while they’re working. Thus, it’s your responsibility to watch over them while renovation work is being done.
- Keep The Floors Safe
Although your contractor shouldn’t leave without cleaning their work area, it’s best to check the floors for safety each day. Expect that there will be dirt, debris, or dust around the work area. Thus, inspect the floor before allowing your kids to enter the area. Also, avoid walking around barefoot while your home is undergoing renovation.
- Keep Waste Away
Because kids are curious, they can take notice of new things around the home, even if it’s waste. Thus, it’s important to keep trash in the proper bin and avoid letting your child play with it. Home renovation trash includes sharp metals, chemical containers, and chemical residue. Keep your child safe by limiting their access to waste materials
- Be Wary Of Allergies
If your home renovation project involves paints and primers, you may have some considerations to keep in mind, especially when you have kids around. You may want to go for products that have low volatile organic compounds or odorless paint to help reduce the occurrence of allergies. Carpets also come with formaldehyde, which can be dangerous when inhaled. However, opening your windows and using air filters may reduce the danger of inhaling dangerous fumes.
- Get The Right Contractors
Ensure that you choose the right contractors who are qualified to do the job. Ask for references from friends and family who may have had renovation work done in the past. Experienced contracts know exactly what they’re doing, and they may even suggest alternative spaces for keeping the kids safe.
- Have A Bathroom Or Kitchen Alternative
If you’re doing a kitchen renovation, you may have to find another place to put the microwave and refrigerator. Your kids would want to have snacks during the day, and it’s best to keep food and refrigerator nearby to satisfy your kids’ hunger immediately, even in the middle of a kitchen renovation. You can have these appliances moved to the basement, living room, garage, or your spare room, which you can easily access.
- Know The Dangers Of Unfinished Areas
Even when the workers are away and tools are kept away, there are still many dangers in an unfinished work space. A room is considered dangerous when essential safety measures are missing. For example, wall socket covers that aren’t installed or exposed metals can mean danger. Thus, it’s best to keep your kids informed and keep them away from the renovation area until work is finished.
Final Thoughts
Home renovation can be stressful and disturbing for your kids, who see strangers coming in and out of the house. However, with some planning before renovation, it’s still possible to keep your regular family routine despite the expected chaos inside your home. Keeping the kids away from the renovation site and giving them toys to keep them busy during the process can help keep them safe and well during a home renovation.
