Residential rental properties have different markets. It depends on several factors such as floor space, number of rooms, location, etc. For rentals that can accommodate families, there are things that a landlord should expect, and one of those is the possibility of housing children.

For parents looking to rent a home where they will raise their children, one of their top priorities is to find a living space where their children will be safe. Children have so much youthful energy, so landlords can expect that there will be a lot of running and playing around the home. That is why child-proofing the rental home is a decision that landlords must consider.

Child-proofing a rental home benefits the landlord because it will decrease landlord liability. Having a child-safe property will prevent accidents that could threaten the children’s lives. Here are a few ways that landlords can child-proof their rental homes.

Baby gates

Baby gates can create a safe division between rooms. Parents can’t keep an eye on their children 24/7. Baby gates can ensure that children can stay in one safe zone while the parents are busy with other chores in the house.

Different baby gates are available in the market. Some can be installed temporarily and can be transferred from one spot to another. Those kinds are a good option because there will be no need to install hardware on doorframes, and parents can put them up only when necessary.

Electrical outlets

If adults can die from electrocution, what more children who are more fragile? Children are curious about the things they see around them, even mere electric outlets. They would stick their mouth and fingers in their slots, which can lead to fatal electrocution.

Cheap plastic inserts to cover electric sockets are available in home department stores. Spending a few bucks on several of those plastic inserts will be worth it.

Furniture bumper guards

Sharp corners and edges on furniture are also a safety hazard. Children can run into them and puncture their eyes, bruise their bodies, or cut their skin. Putting rubberized bumper guards on the sharp edges of tables or countertops can prevent those from happening.

Locks on cabinets

Another home item that often piques a kid’s curiosity is cabinet doors. They will pull it open and push it close just for fun. However, they might grab dangerous contents of drawers and cabinets. These compartments often contain items like scissors, knives, tools, needles, and other sharp objects. It may also have small knickknacks like buttons that children could swallow and choke on.

Putting up locks in cabinets can prevent that. If the landlord is hesitant to install hardware and screws or allowing parents to do it themselves, there are alternatives. Adhesive cabinet locks or those magnetic ones with peel-safe adhesive are good options. They can serve their purpose without causing damage to furniture.

Heavy furniture

For fully-furnished units, some pieces of furniture are a tipping hazard. When kids climb or pull heavy furniture, there is a tendency that it could tip over them. Landlords must avoid having such pieces of furniture in the rental unit because when they crash over a child, it could be fatal.

The landlord must remind tenants to install straps or anchors that can hold heavy furniture in place. That way, even if the child will climb up the heavy piece of furniture, the uneven weight distribution will not make it tip over.

Cleaning products and corrosive chemicals

A great way to prevent children from gaining access to poisonous chemicals like cleaning agents is to have upper shelves or cabinets that they cannot reach.

Appliances and Water Heaters

For appliances like ovens, it’s best to purchase ones with built-in safety locks. It is a common feature in home appliances these days. The tenants should also be aware of how to activate the safety features of the home appliances.

Dialing down water heaters and going for anti-scald faucets can protect children from water-related burning incidents.

Aside from decreasing liability for child-related accidents, another benefit landlords can get from making the property kid-friendly and child-proofed is that it would entice young families to rent. As a rental agent publishing a listing on Padleads, marketing the property as a safe place for children would give you a competitive edge in the market. Parents often decide based on what would be best for their children, so you can expect that the same applies when they are choosing a rental home.