Child Safety First: Kid-Proof Your Interior Design Schemes
by Kate McIntyrekate.mcIntyre@interiordesignschoolreview.com
According to an article on HGTV.com, more than 2 million people a year are injured or killed in accidents that happen in their own homes. If your interior design clients have children, one of your most important jobs as an interior designer is to make their homes as safe as possible for the smallest members of the family.
Play it Safe: Kid-Friendly Interior Design
The Home Safety Council reports that falls are the top source of injury in homes in the U.S., followed by poisonings and burns. Children are particularly susceptible because of their boundless energy and curiosity. Here are some tips for child-friendly interior decorating:- Either choose furniture designed without sharp, pointed corners or install corner protectors on problem items like coffee tables and end tables
- Look out for sharp corners on fireplace hearths, and cover them if necessary
- Make sure that all rugs have anti-slip mats underneath them to prevent them from sliding as a child runs across them
- Include an out-of-the-way lockable cabinet in your interior decorating scheme for poisonous substances such as cleaning supplies, and make sure that the home is adequately supplied with both smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
- Rather than incorporating open flames from candles, consider using battery-powered candles instead
Maximize Your Interior Design Skills
Attending an interior design school degree program will help you to learn about ways to maximize your expertise to expand your client base. Knowing how to design for families with children is a great place to start. Interior design clients with children will greatly appreciate working with someone who can produce great designs for their home while also looking out for the safety of their family.Sources: About the Author
Kate McIntyre is a writer in Portland, Oregon. She holds a B.A. from Harvard University and an M.F.A. in fiction writing from Oregon State University.
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