National Kids and Pets Day is observed annually on April 26th.
National Kids and Pets Day is both a day to celebrate the bonds children and pets can share and a day remember safety where our pets and children are concerned.
There are many benefits of having a pet in a child’s life. From fostering natural nurturing abilities to developing responsibilities, pets have a lifelong impact on a child’s development.
It is also important to remember that small children as well as the pets may not know their limitations and should not be left alone with each other. They should always be supervised to prevent injury to both the child and the animal. — HT: National Calendar
Kids and pets bring a lot of happiness, but they also bring a lot of chaos and potential accidents into a home. Sadly, some fail to factor in kids and pets when they go to buy a home.
Buying a home is particularly stressful, but definitely not as stressful as moving in and finding that there are some aspects that you failed to take into consideration. Alternatively, remedies to accommodate children and pets can become expensive or quickly sour the euphoria of being in your new home.
Here are a few examples:
For your children:
Are there sharp edges on cabinets, counters, or doors that are on the level of your child’s head?
According to government studies, the kitchen and bathroom are the most dangerous rooms in the house and sharp corners account for 25% or more of all accidents to children hitting their face or neck. It is easily to remedy some of the potential hazards after the fact, but knowing in advance is much better. Forewarned is forearmed.
Do stairs exist in the home? Are they slippery or carpeted, especially if they lead to a basement area?
Reuters Health reported in October 2017, “More than 1 million Americans injure themselves on stairs each year, according to a study in the American Journal of Emergency Medicine… and the direct and indirect costs of non-fatal stair injuries total about $92 billion annually.”
Electrical outlets – Again, taking note of every potential hazard will help keep your little ones safe. A bag full of plastic safety plugs will reduce the possibility of your child sticking something in the outlet and getting shocked.
An analysis of U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) data over a recent 10 year period found: 24,000+ children under 10 years old were treated in emergency rooms for incidents related to electrical receptacles – about 7 children per day.
For your pets — Does the fencing contain any holes (even small ones) that will need to be repaired or does it have entire fence panels that a large dog can push over and easily escape?
As a realtor, it is a privilege to help people find a home that works perfectly for their family. Some families are still growing and being prepared for potential hazards over the next few years will likely save you a lot of heartache.
When you are ready to look for your new safety-conscious home, call us and let us help you in your search 3047-635-0303.
Helping Protect Your Most Valuable Assets,
Mark Escalera, MRP – Cheyenne Realtor
