Many people who own luxury homes have children or are planning to have children in the near future. Most of those people know the basics of childproofing a home: keep sharp objects out of reach, put plastic covers on all open outlets, a
nd so on. But a luxury home presents some unique challenges when it comes to childproofing. With that in mind, here are a few extra steps that luxury homeowners should consider when protecting their young children.
Covering your Pool
One of the most common features that luxury homes have is a pool. Whether it is indoors or outdoors, heated or unheated, you need to make sure that it is always properly covered to make sure that children and pets don’t fall in. Your pool should always be properly covered when it is not in use, even during seasons where you are likely to use it every week. When choosing your cover, make sure to go with a hard plastic lid rather than a soft tarp if you have the option. That way, if a child does wander onto the surface of the pool, there is less of a chance to falling in. Automatic covers can be helpful, too, but you need to make sure your children stay away from the pool when they are scheduled to close.
Stairwells and Blind Spots
Most houses have stairwells, but luxury homes are more likely to have more of them due to their size. They are also more likely to have twists and turns where children can fall off or otherwise harm themselves. You should gate off stairs at both the top and bottom wherever possible. Spiral staircases tend to be more dangerous than straight ones because they are harder for small children to navigate properly. You should also make sure that you are familiar with any blind spots or hideaways in your house. These are most common in luxury homes that were built a long time ago, but some more modern homes also have them.
Outlets and Old Wiring
For the most part, luxury homes tend to have good wiring. This is not always the case, though, and you should check the history of your house if it is available to make sure that old wiring has been properly replaced. Modern wiring has fail safes that help reduce the risk of electrical shock, even if a child manages to put something into the outlet. Older electrical outlets are a greater danger to children, and a simple plastic cover isn’t necessarily going to stop an inquisitive child. If you have an older home, make sure that all of your wiring has been updated within the last 20 years. If it hasn’t, take the time to make sure those adjustments get made.
Luxury homes require a special touch. They have unique needs when it comes to both care and maintenance. If you plan to bring children into one of these homes, you can help yourself and your family by taking a few extra steps to ensure better childproofing an a happier household.