The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1480126
What expecting parents can do to make their homes safer New parents face a host of new and unique challeng- es when they bring their ba- bies home for the first time. Lack of sleep and dirty dia- pers are two well-known chal- lenges parents must confront when caring for newborns. While those hurdles must be cleared after babies are born, other potential issues can be dealt with while parents are awaiting the arrival of their children. Prior to getting pregnant, parents expecting for the first time may not have giv- en much thought to how safe their home is for children. But with a baby on the way, safe- ty must be the utmost prior- ity at home. Home injuries pose a bigger threat than ex- pecting parents may realize, as Stanford Children's Health reports that roughly 2,000 children ages 14 and under die each year as a result of injuries sustained at home. Thankfully, many home in- juries can be prevented. Ex- pecting parents can get a head-start on being moms and dads by taking various steps to make their homes safer before their babies are born. • Conceal cables and cords. Cables and cords pique kids' curiosity. Pulling on cables and cords can put young chil- dren in the path of falling ob- jects or increase their risk for injuries involving electrical wires and outlets. Cable and cord concealers are inexpen- sive and easily installed. Of- ten used to cover cords hang- ing down from mounted tele- visions, concealers also can be used to hide cords com- ing from computers, lamps and other items that can pose a threat to young children. • Avoid hand-me-down kids' furniture. When fur- nishing a children's nursery, it's best for parents to avoid hand-me-down furniture. The older a piece of furniture is, the less likely it is that the item will meet current safe- ty guidelines. Some parents may be tempted to let their children sleep in the same crib they slept in as kids de- cades ago, but it's safer to eschew nostalgia in favor of products that meet the latest safety standards. • Get rid of potential chok- ing hazards. The National Safety Council and the Na- tional Center for Injury Pre- vention indicate that airway obstruction injuries are the leading cause of unintentional injury-related deaths among infants less than 12 months old. Prior to bringing their babies home, expecting par- ents can remove all small trin- kets and other items that curi- ous children may want to put in their mouths. When buying toys for kids, read the packag- ing to make sure each item is safe for babies and avoid buy- ing or accepting any gifts with small pieces. • Store all medicines on high shelves behind cabinet doors. Vitamins and med- icines should be stored on high shelves behind cabinet doors. If kids can see them, they'll likely try to grab them. In fact, the NSC reports that children ages 19 and under ac- count for roughly 8,000 fall-re- lated emergency room visits every day. Hiding medicines on high shelves behind closed cabinet doors reduces the risk that kids will be poisoned and suffer a fall-related injury. Expecting parents will soon have a lot on their plate. Taking steps to safeguard a home before their babies are born can make the transition to parenthood that much eas- ier. Turn your yard into a vacation-worthy oasis Warm weather means more time to relax outdoors. For those homeowners lucky enough to have entertaining spaces outside, spring and summer provides plenty of op- portunities to enjoy fresh air under the sun or stars. Over the last few years, fam- ilies have become especially familiar with what works about their yards and where there is room for improvement. Pan- demic-related travel restric- tions and early stay-at-home mandates resulted in plenty of time spent in backyards on staycations. Even though ma- ny such restrictions have been lifted, homeowners may have seen the benefits of having functional respites right out- side their doors. A backyard renovation can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $50,000. The American Soci- ety of Landscape Architects suggests homeowners bud- get the cost of a major land- scaping project at between 5 and 10 percent of their home's value. Large or small, here are ways to make an outdoor oa- sis at home. CREATE LIVING PRIVACY Living in close proximity to neighbors may make privacy harder to come by. Wood or vi- nyl fences, however effective, may not provide the all-natural look many people desire. Ver- tical gardening, which trains easy-care vines like English ivy, Clematis or various climb- ing roses to grow on trellis or fencing adds greenery and pri- vacy. Hedges and fast-grow- ing shrubs also can be used for natural barriers. INSTALL A POOL Pools are the ultimate spots to cool off on hot days. An elaborately shaped in-ground pool can blend in with the landscape and offer the ulti- mate hang-out zone. However, above-ground pools also serve the purpose and are more bud- get-friendly. Stock tank pools are popular among those who want minimal pool expendi- ture or have small spaces to work with. Stock tanks are metal vessels traditionally used as watering holes for live- stock. They also can be "adult kiddie pools" when combined with some plumbing. Galva- nized steel frames make them sturdy. With floats and other accessories, they can become the perfect oasis. PROVIDE OUTDOOR ATMOSPHERE Create a bespoke bistro vibe by using freestanding planters and posts along with hanging lights to make an in- timate outdoor hangout spot at night. For those with perma- nent structures, like a deck or a gazebo, lights can be strung across the area or on railings or edging. EXTEND THE LIVING SPACE Decks and patios can help make outdoor entertaining ar- eas more comfortable by elim- inating the need to sit on the grass or gravel. Plus, they add another "room" to the home. When paired with weather- proof patio furniture, such as sofas, loungers and tables, a private seating area can be crafted and utilized for any number of entertaining de- sires. HANG A HAMMOCK Few things evoke feelings of relaxation better than a hammock. Fitted between two trees (or two posts if trees are sparse), a ham - mock is an ideal place to gr- ab a nap or read a book. Additional oasis-inspired ideas include outdoor kitch- ens, letting up lanterns, cas- cading water features, and bird feeders to attract the sounds of nature. GUIDE TO OUTDOOR LIGHTING Lighting is an essential component of interior and exterior home design. Not only does lighting add style and make spaces more appealing, when done cor- rectly, it also makes a home safer and more functional. Homeowners who plan to utilize outdoor spaces like backyards, front porches and walkways to the fullest should think carefully about lighting. These guidelines can assist with select- ing outdoor lighting fixtures. SECURITY LIGHTING Flood lights and security lights are a good investment for those who want to beef up visibility and security around the home. These lights are high-inten- sity and designed to illuminate large areas. The brightness and reach can serve as a preventive measure to keep animals and even criminals away. Mo- tion-sensor lights will immediately en- gage if something crosses the path of the sensor. Some lights will remain on from dusk until dawn. Lowes Home Im- provement suggests using the correct wattage on outdoor security lights so they flood an area thoroughly without affecting neighboring properties. WALL, POST AND CEILING LIGHTS Outdoor lighting fixtures beyond security options come in a variety of styles, according to Lamps USA. Wall lights are mounted to the outdoor wall of the home. These typically flank door- ways or the garage. Post lights are of- ten installed on the posts of decks and porches, or are free-standing on properties, providing visibility but al- so style. Ceiling-mounted lights may be above doorways or installed in any structure that has an overhead area. Warm-colored temperature bulbs in these fixtures can create an inviting at- mosphere that is not too bright and jar- ring, especially when multiple lighting fixtures are working together. When selecting lighting for wall-mounted fix- tures, experts suggest sizing up if you are not sure of the size to pick, as lights will look much smaller in scale from a distance. ACCENT AND LANDSCAPE LIGHTING A bevy of accent lighting choices are available. Accent lighting is designed to enhance the mood and appearance of certain elements of a landscape. Ac- cent lighting is not intended to add bright light. For example, upward-di- rected lights can be cast on trees or shrubs to accentuate their shapes. Ac- cent lighting also may call out a struc- ture, such as a garden or a fountain. While accent lighting may be hard- wired, homeowners who want the lux- ury of changing lighting can opt for so- lar fixtures, which are more mobile but not as bright. ADDITIONAL POINTERS When shopping for bulbs, consid- er the number of lumens. A standard 100 -watt bulb produces around 1,600 lumens. Security lights should range from 700 to 1,300 lumens for optimal brightness. Other lights needn't be so bright. Furthermore, ensure that any fix- tures that are being used are safety-rat- ed for outdoors. Wet-rated fixtures are designed to withstand direct exposure to outdoor elements, advises the design experts at Schoolhouse, a lighting and lifestyle goods company. Damp-rated fixtures are built for outdoor locations protected from harsh weather. Look for the product details or work with an electrician to choose the right lighting choices. The Press-Dispatch Fall Home Improvement Wednesday, September 28, 2022 F-7