10 ways to childproof your home

11 Mar 2014

For many young couples, the prospect of starting a family is what prompts their first home purchase, but if you’re about to bring home a new baby, you need to make sure the property will provide a safe and loving environment. 

Install safety gates at the top and bottom of all stairways and keep them properly closed at all times.

This is according to Berry Everitt, MD of the Chas Everitt International property group, who has some advice on how to create a child-friendly home. Get tips... 

1. Install safety gates at the top and bottom of all stairways and keep them properly closed at all times.
 
2. Install plastic safety guardsin all unused plug points to keep out curious little fingers, and put snap locks on all ground-level cupboard doors.
 
3. Make sure any nappy or cleaning buckets havelockable lids, and install snap locks on toilet lids too. Small children are top heavy and can easily drown in little water.
 
4. If you have a pool, it’s best to have both a fence with a locked and alarmed gate and a safety net. Small children should also not be allowed to play in a paddling pool without supervision, and the pool should be emptied immediately after use. 
 
5. Make sure all bookcases and storage cabinets are firmly fixed to the wall with brackets so that they do not fall over if used as standing aids by a child learning to walk.
 
6. Make sure deck or balcony railings are close enough together so that a child can’t squeeze between them. If they are not, plastic mesh at least one metre high should be firmly fixed to the vertical railings and the floor.
 
7. Store medicines and chemical cleanersin closed, preferably locked cupboards, well out of reach of any furniture children can climb on.
 
8. In the kitchen, be careful not to let pot and pan handles project over the edge of the stove, and never leave a chair or stool near the stove.
 
9. If you have glass sliding doors, place bright stickers or decorative decals low down on the glass so that children can easily see when they’re closed.
 
10. And finally, keep children out of tool sheds and garages, and keep your car locked even when parked in the driveway.

DIY designer outdoor furniture

Forget my last feature for DIY outdoor furniture, this is definitely one garden suite that I want to build. The outdoor patio suite probably costs a small fortune but is a simple DIY project that anyone could tackle. I would probably use Meranti for the construction, but you could just as easily use any reclaimed timber you manage to get your hands on.

Seen on Architectural Digest, this patio set is shown in one of Cindy Crawford's holiday homes. Take a close look at the design and you will immediately see that this is most definitely a DIY do-able project for even a beginner!

While your could use PAR and laminated pine for this project, my personal opinion is that this design deserves something a bit better than pine. An affordable and far better timber than pine is meranti. This semi-hardwood is far better suited to the design of this outdoor patio set and is stronger than pine, and because you can buy wider planks, it actually works out only slightly more expensive and will last far longer.

If the budget allows, you might even consider looking at using teak for this project.

I based the measurements for the diagrams below on the range of meranti planks available from Esstee Timbers. If you plan on making this project for yourself, get in touch with your local timber merchant to see what sizes they supply.

SEAT BACK

SEAT BASE

SEAT ARM

SEAT ARM PANEL

To join the individual panels together you could use your preferred joining technique, which can include pocketholes, dowels or biscuits.

Do use exterior wood glue when making any furniture that will go outdoors.

Seal or varnish the piece after assembly to ensure protection from the elements. Plascon Woodcare has a range of preservative and sealers that can be used on any wood.

If you do make this project, feel free to share with us. We might just be able to organise a tool hamper for the best project.

- See more at: http://www.home-dzine.co.za/diy/diy-designer-patio.htm#sthash.Tb954DRr.dpuf