Through a Child’s Eyes- Child Safety

I was a late bloomer into the land of parenting.  It is not because I do not love children, I love them immensely. I guess I always wanted to be ready to be a good parent, if that is possible.

My wife would laugh at me because the neighborhood kids would come to our door and ask - “can Donny come out and play?”  I was usually always up for a snowball fight, some football, pick-up basketball or a baseball game. I was even up for an occasional bout of “Kick the Can”.

But I always had a little voice that said “wait”, maybe because I was still too much like them. Maybe I was not ready for the commitment.

What I enjoy most about young children is their curiosity and their honesty (for the most part). The world is one big adventure and learning and finding boundaries is an everyday event. They will make mistakes and that is okay, you just do not want the ones that will hurt or kill them.

                                             Child Safety Wenatchee Home Inspection

So one of the things I do when performing a home inspection is look at the home through a child’s eyes. What can a kid do in the home? What avoidable dangers can I make the homeowner understand or think about? Almost no one will correct all the items I will point out but if they are at least provided that information they can be aware. We can never remove all risks.

This came to mind during a recent home inspection and I was pointing out the balusters for a railing were too wide. My client said well was that code when the home was built? I reply probably but what if a child gets their head stuck in there does it matter what code was in force? The client replies “probably not, but they will never do that again”. We both had a little laugh but the point was made.

                                           Baluster Spacing Chelan Home Inspection

Building codes had a requirement of 6 inches for balusters, but they were having problems with young children getting their heads stuck in between the balusters. This forced them to change the building code.

                                                Children Wenatchee Home Inspections

Sometimes just because a home was built to a standard of the day does not make it safe for our loved ones. I feel it does not hurt to at least provide that information.

SafeKids.org

 

“If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur.”

Red Adair


NCW Home Inspections, LLC  is a Licensed Washington State Home Inspection service located in Wenatchee Washington serving Chelan County, Douglas County, Kittitas County, Okanogan County and Grant County Washington and the cities of Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Cashmere, Oroville, Cle Elum, East Wenatchee, Quincy and many more…  

Your Wenatchee and Chelan Professional Real Estate, Home and Structural Pest Inspection Service
www.ncwhomeinspections.com                                               509-670-9572

 
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14 Comments on Through a Child’s Eyes- Child Safety

JAN
26
1,914,855 Points 386 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Donald, maybe they should be wider so that only adult heads would get stuck in them.  Just kidding!  You make a really important point here - just because it's code doesn't necessarily mean it's safe. 
6:13am • #1
200,340 Points 22 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Don, 6" is too wide... it should be 4". I saw a video on TV where some little kid got his head stuck in the back of one of those little plastic lawn chairs. it was kinda funny and the fire department came and cut him out, but it goes to show you that kids will be kids, and anything can happen! Good catch!!
6:15am • #2
917,907 Points 179 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Don, the funny thing is that it used to be fairly standard building practice to make the spacings less than 4"---especially in the 30's and 40's---then for some reason it started getting wider and wider.
6:43am • #3
568,210 Points 140 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

The point is to inform. I will point this out ansd explain it was likely "ok" at the time. Like you said, now they are aware. 
6:52am • #4
293,498 Points 66 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Patricia, Code change and evolve to enhance safety and our better understanding. 

Fred, Kids love to do this kind of stuff.

Charlie, I have seen that also but I have seen where the rails where awfully low. Maybe because everyone was smaller then ; )

Jim, Yep give the information and let them decide.
7:54am • #5
126,132 Points

At one time wider than 6" was allowed. The head wounldn't get stuck but the whole body would fall through.
8:35am • #6

Great safety information to keep in mind for clients with children, new parents, and military families that may have one parent at home to supervise many children at once during long deployments. The more insight real estate agents have, the better. Thanks for this post!
10:30am • #7
229,297 Points Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Don -- thanks for the reminder that some of these safety issues continue to change, as different views come to the fore.  Hope you enjoy your weekend!
11:08am • #8
293,498 Points 66 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Rob, The requirements have changed over time.

Christina, I always ask my clients if they will have small children around. They may want to take it more seriously if they do.

Steven, Thanks, A little "child" in everyone is a good thing, I think ; ) 
11:17am • #9
977,390 Points 352 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Haven't we seen that little girl's face before, playing with a garage door?  Remember the Leave It To Beaver episode when he got his head stuck in someone's bannister?
1:22pm • #10
293,498 Points 66 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Jay, Yep, That is my little star. I just thought she was so cute and fun she needed to be in another post.
7:29pm • #11
1,352,832 Points 42 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Don - I love the photo.  As parents, we need to look at safety through a child's eyes.
10:11pm • #12
JAN
27
546,529 Points 121 Featured Posts Called Shot Master
Donald. While you cannot protect children from every danger, you can make changed like building codes that reduce mishaps. Just try to buy an old crib or an old jolly jumper! Times change.
3:36am • #13
293,498 Points 66 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Christine, Thank you. As a parent if anything happens you never stop looking at yourself and wondering what else you could of done.

Valerie, Code are revised every 3 years to look at all sorts of issues or to clarify them.
8:39am • #14


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