The moment you have been waiting for has finally arrived – moving day! You may want to celebrate early for all of the time and hard work you’ve invested into prepping for a move, but you still need to take precautions on the day of, especially for your children. Your child’s safety is always the number one priority, so take some time to keep them away from any potential moving hazards.
Here are 6 safety tips to childproof your home on moving day.
Baby Gates: With movers constantly in-and-out of the house, lifting heavy items and boxes at a fast it is crucial that children are out of the way. Utilize safety gates to keep your children away from these areas. Until the professional movers have finished loading your belongings into the moving truck, it’s best to keep your children in a place where they can freely play.
Chemicals: When packing and moving, be careful to put cleaning products and other chemicals away from a child’s reach. Transporting such chemicals and liquids should be one of the first things to move away. This can range from cleaning supplies to toiletries to laundry detergent to medications. Also, you may want to consider child safety lids or locks for such products.
Sharp Objects: Scissors, box cutters, knives and other sharp objects are likely to be used during the moving process, especially when unpacking boxes. Instead of leaving such objects laying around, take the extra step to securely put them away. Also, consider putting sharp objects in an area you know will be far away from a child’s reach.
Furniture: Move your furniture first, if possible. Dismantle your bookshelves, dressers, and cabinets and pack their separate furniture pieces away. Also, cover your couches and chairs with a moving blanket before putting them into the moving truck. Moving out the large furniture early prevents the risk of your child harming the furniture or themselves.
Loose Cords and Outlets: To prevent any electrical accidents, safeguard your electric outlets with a cover. Dangling cords from lamps, electric chargers, and other devices should also be wrapped up to prevent any tripping in the moving process. Both of these hazards should be handled before calling in the professional movers.
Entertainment: Make sure that your kids are busy on the day of the move. Preoccupy them by providing them toys or allowing them to play child-friendly video games on your cell phone or tablet. You can also take turns with someone to watch over your children while somebody else is helping with the move.
Childproofing your home is one of the best approaches to consider when moving with children. It will help keep your mind at ease and prevent any potential injuries from occurring. When in doubt, just take an additional step to make sure that everybody’s safety has been reassured.