When the little grandchildren come

Many of today's grandparents are young at heart, fit, and active. Often not raised in an authoritarian manner themselves, they are more tolerant and understanding in their interactions with younger generations. It's no wonder that grandparents and grandchildren are closer than ever before. To ensure that visits to Grandma and Grandpa's are relaxed and accident-free, here are a few tips on how to make your house grandchild-proof with simple means.

Children up to three years old should not climb stairs alone, as they cannot properly judge heights. If you don't want to install a wooden or metal safety gate, you can also protect little climbers with a fabric gate that can be easily stored away afterwards. Fixed gate bars should be positioned so that a child's head cannot fit through them.

Furniture is also great for climbing and can't always be mounted securely to prevent tipping. It's best to spread toys out on the floor and store them in low boxes or lower drawers.

The edges of tables or chairs can be softened with cushion protectors, which are available in furniture stores, hardware stores, or online. For unexpected guests, foam or cushions can also be attached to the furniture corners with adhesive tape.

As everyone knows, toddlers find electrical outlets fascinating. Here, covers with a rotating mechanism protect the little explorer. If you need a quick fix, sealing them with packing tape or duct tape will also do the trick. And while you're at it, check for dangling power cords. These are also proven tripping hazards. Exposed rugs also pose a tripping risk if they aren't secured to a non-slip backing.

In the kitchen, the colorful bottles of cleaning products tempt little explorers to try them. It's best to store these in upper cabinets or drawers. Safety guards for the base cabinets are also easy to install. For the stove, there are protective grilles that attach to the front of the cooktop.