5 Ways to Childproof Your Home
Whether you have lived in your current home for decades or have just moved in, it is vital for the safety of your children that you inspect every nook and cranny for ways to make improvements. This post will describe five ways that you can make your home safer for children of all ages. Some home improvements are small and require little effort, but others need a little more elbow grease. No matter the size of the project, every step you take to make your home a safer place for your children will pay off in the long run – especially in peace of mind. As you are probably well aware, children always have a way of knowing what they are not supposed to do or touch and then proceeding to do or touch it anyhow! The following are our top 5 tips for making your home a safer place:
1. Install Gates
Though this may seem like a no-brainer to some, others are not so convinced or are not utilizing them in as many places as they could. Baby gates are most commonly seen at the top and bottom of stairs. This is to keep children from falling down, or climbing up and then falling down, stairs in the home.
However, another great use for baby gates is to keep your young ones out of rooms that you consider to not be childproof. For example, this may mean separating your child from the kitchen or bathroom. Though baby gates are in investment, it may be cheaper for you to install a gate than to make your entire kitchen or bathroom childproof.
2. Use Bumpers
Your furniture may have some pointy or hard edges. Though this is not something you have to think about until your kids can get up and start moving, it is something that you cannot afford to forget to do. Amazon is just one great resource for finding foam corner guards.
The New York Times reported that in 2009 alone, over 140,000 children were sent to the hospital due to coffee table related injuries alone. If you have childproofed your home and attained some of these foam baby bumpers, yet your child still manages to hit his head, here is an excellent resource you can use to see if he needs to go to the hospital.
3. Update Your Windows
Your windows may pose more of a threat to your children than you think. If your windows are old and have a tendency of falling shut, your little one’s fingers may be in danger. If your windows are not equipped with the proper locks, little ones may end up with the window and opening it. Though one may assume that screens offer sufficient protection between your child and the outdoors, you are wrong.
According to Time.com, a surprising 5200 children fall from windows each year. And, approximately 80% of those windows were reported to have functional screens. If you are looking into installing new windows, RWC can help you get the job done right. If installing newer, safer windows are not in your budget, just make sure that your windows lock securely and that you have no furniture butted up against them. This will keep your children from climbing around and playing with your windows.
4. Keep Chemicals Out of Reach
Your little one will try to get into anything and everything they can. If you have cabinets or drawers that are within your child’s grasp, it is critical that you purchase and install child safety latches. These latches will not allow your child to gain access to the cabinet or drawer, keeping him away from its contents. These can be purchased at Babies ‘R’ Us as well as several other retailers.
If your cabinets do not allow for the use of child safety latches, perhaps it is time for you to make a change. If you are interested in installing safer cabinets that allow for the use of such safety products, or if you are interested in remodeling your kitchen to create an overall safer area, we encourage you to contact us at RWC.
5. Stuff Your Sockets
The last and possibly most important tip is ensuring that all of your electrical outlets are properly covered. Electrical outlets are one of those things that children inevitably discover they are not supposed to touch, and inevitably always try to do. There are many companies that sell plastic protectors that you essentially plug into your electrical sockets. These covers make it so your little one’s tiny fingers cannot access the socket – keeping them shock free!
If you are not comfortable with the level of safety that your home currently offers your children, it may be time to contact RWC. RWC is dedicated to helping its clients create a safe environment for every member of their family.
Visit our home page to request a quote from RWC and view the services we provide today!
Project Spotlight - Westwood, NJ Bathroom Renovation
"Are we satisfied? YOU BET WE ARE!!!!!!!...."
It's testimonials like these that help us remember why we love what we do. And that's just the ending sentence!
This truly tear-jerking letter from home owners, Pete and Michele Fedorchak, deserves its own blog post.
So without further ado, let's hop into this awesome bathroom renovation from start to finish.
We did a full remodel that delivered the “WOW factor” that Pete and Michele were hoping for. This is what their bathroom looked like when we began:
Although the blue and red color scheme was charming, Pete and Michele went with a more modern look for their renovation.
We installed new tile…
a brand new sink…
full glass shower…
and toilet…
for a finished product that made both the staff at RWC and our clients proud!
Our goal was to make everyone involved jump for joy, and I believe we accomplished that tenfold.
If this post left you craving the “WOW factor”, give us a call at 973-227-7123! RWC has been relieving home improvement stress since 1959. You can trust our experts to educate you and treat you like they would their own family.
Stop in our full showroom for a free consultation today. No pressure; no hard sales tactics. RWC is the ultimate in kitchen, bath and home renovation!
What to Consider With Kitchen Renovation Design
Today’s kitchen is not what it used to be. Just a few decades ago, a time existed when the kitchen was a private area. The only person in the kitchen was the homemaker. The rooms were small, cramped, and often unsightly.
Today’s kitchen is much different. It is the heart of the home. It is a multifaceted room that serves as your office, your children’s art display, and even a place to keep muddy shoes from getting all over the carpet. Needless to say, people go in and out of the kitchen all day long.
Even if this doesn’t sound like you or how you use your kitchen, how you use your kitchen is one of the primary things you need to consider when you remodel your kitchen. However, the first thing to consider is why. Why do you want to remodel your kitchen? Is it a space issue? Are the cupboards falling apart or the linoleum wearing through? Do you want to update your appliances? Whatever the reason, remodeling your kitchen is one of the best investments you can make in a home. Plus it’s just fun to make food when everything is brand new, isn’t it?
What do you need to consider (other than the why) in the planning stages? Size matters here, especially if you plan on replacing your appliances like stoves, ovens, or refrigerators. You need precise measurements, and if you’re going all out and getting things like a farmer’s sink, the measurements need to be exact to 1/8 of an inch. You need to ask yourself other questions, too. What kind of stove are you planning on—countertop or standalone? Is the oven going to be part of the stove or will you mount one in the wall? Are you planning on replacing the refrigerator? Make sure you have the room to open all the doors.
Another consideration might be who uses the kitchen. Do you need to make it kid-friendly or toddler-proof? Do you have teenagers? How about you? What are your habits? Do you need more counter space or room for more appliances? How about a bar? Plenty of people entertain friends in the kitchen, late at night over a game of cards.
Kitchens don’t have to fit conventional molds. If anything, this is your chance to make some neat spaces in the kitchen, like shelves on rollers that pull out so you don’t have to squat just to get a pot. Or better yet, use a pot rack! This is your chance to use space that you didn’t even know you could use the like inside doors of your cabinets. One of the most typical complaints is people running out of storage space. Here’s an idea ~ don’t store your beautiful serving dishes. Save the cupboards for cookware and leave the dishes out in the open. This creates an inviting space just asking to be used. Utilize your blank wall space in your kitchen by installing shelves.
Remember to pay attention to detail. There are things you can do to really make your kitchen pop. The right backsplash, plenty of lighting, and stainless steel appliances can make a difference. It’s the little things that matter. While you can get a builder-grade kitchen, nothing says, “I put effort into this,” like a bit of customization and luxuries. We’re talking about a sink that is just a bit deeper, or utilizing corner space with a lazy susan. Contrast white cabinetry with a dark or neutral floor and countertop.
With all these ideas of what you can or should do with your kitchen, take some time to consider what you shouldn’t do. DO plan accordingly. This means that unless it’s really in the budget, most people do not need a six burner gas stove. One of the great money-saving ideas is to avoid buying any new appliances—these can always be upgraded later. Don’t obsess over name brands when it comes to appliances. Don’t buy a super expensive refrigerator and a super cheap stove. DO plan for lighting. Poor lighting can ruin any kitchen renovation. DO remember that countertops and flooring contain essential design elements. Skipping over these two can place severe limits on the rest of the kitchen. DON’T use cheap cabinetry. You don’t need to spend $1000 per cabinet but plan your budget out so you can have beautiful cabinets in your kitchen.
Remember the simple debt rule – If you can’t afford it, don’t buy it. Wait if you have to, but don’t waste your money on flimsy cabinets or subpar building materials and don’t skip design elements like flooring.
All these considerations belong in the planning stages of your kitchen remodel. Before construction starts and before any materials are purchased, plans can be changed on the fly at no cost to you. If you’re not sure how to get the best return on your investment, consider hiring an interior designer. Make sure your plan is about you. Once you have a plan with parts ordered and demolition starting, it can be costly to change your mind. At RWC, we don’t just give you renovation ideas. We seek to educate you on one the finer points of home renovations so that you can have a place you’re proud to call home.
To make the most of your kitchen renovation, contact us at (973) 227-7123 today!
6 Reasons Why using RWC is Better than DIY
Although the temptation to take on a home improvement project by oneself is tempting, it is not always the best idea. Often it is better to hire a professional, such as those at RWC, rather than tackle an overwhelming do-it-yourself project. Keep reading to learn about why hiring RWC is the better choice.
1. Using RWC saves time
Even a simple DIY project can become problematic for a DIYer. For example, the effect of seemingly simple choices regarding the project can have huge and impactful consequences on the entire project. The professionals at RWC know the best decisions to make for any situations that arise. We can quickly assess any situation and take the most appropriate actions. There is no need for us to think and rethink every decision since our knowledge points us in the right direction. Plus, our designers and other professional have access to the most current technological advances that enable us to complete the job in a more timely fashion.
2. RWC brings expertise to the job
RWC’s professional home designers have lots of experience in redesigning people’s homes. One of the major functions we perform is to interpret and understand the needs of our clients and to create the perfect design plans to meet our clients’ needs. We have a wide variety of resources that DIYers do not have access to. So, the process can move much more smoothly, and the finished product will look more polished when we take on a task. Further, we complete jobs within a defined budget. We also know how to deal with legal and technical issues that come up such as working with a municipality and acquiring the proper permits, working with the necessary surveyors, hiring contractors and subcontractors, and managing the entire project to make sure everything goes as planned. These tasks take lots of hours of research and planning to be accomplished well. Most homeowners do not have enough time to complete the tasks adequately since they are also trying to juggle their own jobs and family life as well. They are also often met with resistance from municipalities and workers along the way.
3. Hiring RWC can save homeowners money
Many homeowners decide to take on major home renovation projects as a way to save money. However, this idea is flawed. Often taking on a home improvement project can end up costing the average homeowner much more money than he or she originally planned and more than if RWC had been hired in the first place. Often supply stores and subcontractors offer discounts to home design professionals. Homeowners can feel the effects of these discounts in the final price that is paid for their work. On the contrary, homeowners are required to pay full-price for supplies when they do the shopping themselves, and even small increases in cost can add up quickly.
4. RWC knows the industry
The work that needs to be done during a home improvement project is often communicated in industry-specific terms. There are also a lot of blueprints and other types of drawings and schematics. The everyday homeowner who is not familiar with industry terms and drawings will have a have a hard time understanding the technical nature of the job, which can lead to the project taking more time and costing more money than was originally planned, not to mention it is much easier for a DIYer to make mistakes because of their lack of knowledge. The professionals at RWC are well-versed in every aspect of home improvement and know how to talk with contractors and workers on a technical level. We are also experts at reading and interpreting blueprints. So the likelihood of mistakes being made is greatly reduced.
5. RWC acts as an advocate for our clients
Home improvement DIYers often run into issues with contractors. It is difficult for DIYers to advocate for themselves when they do not have the same level of knowledge and expertise than a contractor does. On the other hand, homeowners who hire RWC have a built-in advocate. We can take control of a situation and act in the best interest of the homeowner. Contractors have a much easier time working with and taking direction from a home improvement professional rather than a DIY homeowner.
6. RWC has access to other qualified industry professionals
At RWC, we have many opportunities to work with other industry professionals. This is a boon for our clients when issues arise that require other workers. We have easy access to professionals ranging from structural engineers to painters. So whatever needs a home improvement project has, we can easily find another qualified professional to fit the job.
Even though it may seem like taking on a home improvement project on your own would be a good idea, it is always better to rely on the knowledge and expertise of a professional. Hiring a home improvement professional, like your friends at RWC, can save you time, money, and a lot of frustration.
Contact RWC today to see how we can help you with your next home improvement project!