Selfbuilder_and_Homemaker_-_September_-_October_2019

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keep toys that may need monitoring
during child-play out of reach. If you’re
feeling a little creative, spruce up old
cabinets with colourful paint or attach
wooden crates to the wall to create a fun,
farmhouse feel.
While it may be your child’s dream
come true to have stuffed toys scattered
all over the home, it’s not ideal when it
comes to tripping hazards. To combat
this, designate a stuffed animal bin in
their bedroom – ensuring they’re all in
one place and aren’t taking over the
entire house.


SELECT CHILD-FRIENDLY STRUCTURAL SURFACES
Children with sticky hands are often
magnetically attracted to walls and freshly
cleaned carpets, but there are some


measures you can take to minimise the
mucky handprints and free-hand artwork.
Semi-gloss paint is great for painting
areas where your children spend a lot of
time. Be it food, marker pen, chalk or
anything else your child may love to
spread over the walls, this paint can
simply be wiped clean – leaving
paintwork looking as good as new.
When it comes to flooring, wooden
floors are a popular option for parents. Its
non-toxic qualities and easy maintenance
make it a perfect choice for those with
messy young ones. Alternatively, laminate
flooring offers a more budget-friendly
solution, while still delivering the same
luxurious feel. Like wooden flooring, it’s
scratch resistant, so won’t be damaged
by plastic toys.

However, both of these flooring
choices can be slippery, particularly if
your child wanders around the home in
socks or has a habit of running around the
house. Falls are one of the most reported
injuries for children in the home, so
consider purchasing an area rug with a
non-slip mat underneath to combat trips
and tumbles – with the added benefit of
providing a warm and comfortable
designated play area.
While you may feel confident that
you’ve done a great job of childproofing
your home, with so many considerations
to account for it’s easy to miss something.
However, equipped with these tips, you’ll
be well on your way to designing a safe
haven for little ones to explore and play
in, with minimal risk.

Consider buying


a rug with a


non-slip mat


underneath


september/october 2019 http://www.sbhonline.co.uk 13
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