When you prepare your home for the arrival of a baby, you immediately think of the nursery, but the reality is that children grow up very quickly and will soon take over the rest of the house.
If you have lived in your home for some time before the children arrive, there are simple things you can do to prepare your home.

Creating a safe environment

Children are by nature curious so it is important to secure certain aspects of the home, such as

• Blinds/curtain cords: make sure you have safety devices for cords and cords around windows in all rooms, not just the bedroom.
• Sockets and wires: install socket protectors, especially for power points near the floor. Place electrical wiring behind furniture where possible.
• Stairs: install safety gates while your children are still small.
• Store chemicals and cleaning products: make sure you have a place for cleaning products and other toxic chemicals that is inaccessible to children.

Creating a relaxing and fun environment

Consider the creation of a small play area near the kitchen, or in the living room, often the main hubs of activity in the house, so that children can see you and interact with you, or play alone while you go about your business in the house.

Be aware of objects around the house. In theory, teaching children to respect your belongings and not to touch precious objects is fine, but the reality is that accidents happen, and the time to learn requires precautions.
Remember to keep sensitive items high or away from children, or even lock up valuable items.

Managing noise

Children are very often noisy, and noise can become a problem after a while. Consider soft furnishings to absorb some of the noise, such as floor mats if you have wooden floors, thick curtains, or furniture filled with books or linens that can act as sound insulators.

What have you done in your home to make it more child-friendly? Share your tips with us!