Tips for childproofing your doors

When you welcome a new baby into your home, it is both exciting and a bit scary. For the first few months, your baby will not even be able to hold its own head up which means that you have time to childproof your home. Some of the areas you will want to focus on include power outlets, sharp corners and, of course, doors. Little fingers have a way of getting stuck in small spaces like doors. Here are some essential door safety tips to keep your little ones from getting hurt.

Prevent slamming

The most common accident occurs when a child’s hand or fingers get caught in a slamming door. This does not mean that somebody has to physically slam the door in order for this accident to occur. The child could simply have their hand on the frame when a gust of wind blows the door shut. If you have more than one child, they could think it’s funny to slam doors until one of them gets hurt. The quick and easy solution to this comes in the form of slam stoppers. They are buffers between the frame and the door. They are wrapped around the exterior edge to prevent the door from closing completely. Therefore, there will always be space for those tiny fingers to escape unscathed.

Hinge strips

Hinge strips are easy-to-use clip-on strips that you attach to the hinges on your doors.   This prevents children from getting their fingers stuck without impacting the use of the door itself. With these strips in place, you will still be able to open and close the door as usual. It also will not cause any damage to the door or hardware and you can eventually remove them when they are no longer needed.

Close your doors

You cannot completely prevent your children from exploring every corner of your home but, if they cannot yet reach the door handle, then you can simply keep your doors shut in order to reduce risk. It’s not only good for preventing injured fingers, but it can also keep children away from other potential dangers in the room. You can even fit latches on certain doors like your fridge, freezer, cabinets, and drawers. Magnetic locks are handy and easy to install.

Make glass more visible

It’s easy for accidents to occur when doors consist solely or mostly of glass. The key to preventing such accidents is by making it clear to see when the door is open or closed. Stickers can be used to make glass more visible. While stickers might sound unattractive, if you choose the right decals, you can even make this practical solution a stylish addition at the same time! Another option is to use plastic guard rails to keep young ones from hurting themselves on glass doors. The key is to make sure that it’s clear to see when the door is closed in order to prevent injury

Child-proof doorknobs

If you want an even greater level of safety, you could look into fitting child-proof doorknobs. Once installed, these doorknobs only turn if they are squeezed or pushed (depending on the model and make you choose). Small children do not have the strength, hand size, or dexterity to open doors with these kinds of knobs. It might take some time getting used to, but it’s a worthwhile investment if you want maximum peace of mind. The best part about these safety tips is the fact that they will still allow your little ones to explore and satisfy their curiosity without the risk of hurting themselves on your doors. Remember, while you are making your home safe, there’s nothing you can do about other environments like the homes of your family members and friends. If a particular relative has agreed to babysit or regularly care for your child while you’re at work, you might want to invest in childproofing their home too. Think about where your child will spend most of their time and make sure that any preventable risks are addressed. Just because you have a child, this does not mean that you have to sacrifice your style. Many of these ideas are great because they are effective and they don’t affect the visual beauty of the door. In fact, investing in a high-quality door is advisable since you want a durable door that will withstand the frequent use that goes along with having a young child in the house. At The Door Boutique, we stock a wide range of luxury European-style interior doors. When you want to transform and improve any space in your home or office, you are sure to find the perfect fit right here! Call for more information about our impressive range of doors and stylish hardware.