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Babyproofing your home is an essential step to keeping your child safe. All over the house, spanning from the bathroom to the fireplace, their nursery to your kitchen, there are potential threats and risks that can cause serious harm.

First things first, youll want to take a good look at common factors throughout your home, such as electrical outlets, smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors and doorways. Each of these commonalities can create a potentially dangerous situation that can be easily avoided.

Outlets, for example, are generally low to the ground and accessible for walkers and crawlers. Cover each open outlet with a plastic cap, and for those where items are plugged in, you can either move a large piece of furniture in front to block the cord or purchase plastic cord covers.

Be sure to check all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. If batteries are low or have never been changed, change them! You can also consider upgrading the tech in your home and purchasing detectors that you can keep an eye on from your phone, featuring notification updates before a service is required.

Baby gates are another great safety solution. If you live in a home that doesnt have an open floor plan, you risk your baby crawling or walking into another room unsupervised. With a baby gate, you can keep your baby confined to the area where you can keep an eye on them, even when youre cooking, cleaning or doing laundry. These are also important to keep at the top and bottom of a staircase, preventing your baby from a potential fatal fall or injury.

Next, go room by room, inspecting features that could cause harm or pose a threat to your baby.

Start in the kitchen, where you get easily preoccupied – cooking, cleaning and conversing – and will inevitably turn your back from your child. Remove all the cleaning supplies from under your sink or any other low cabinet and place them into a top cabinet. Add safety latches to the lower doors, however, ensure that whatever is inside is safe for a baby to get a hold of, such as pots and pans and Tupperware. Also purchase stove-knob covers and avoid the possibility of a small child turning on a burner.

Move into the living room, where there are most likely low tables and plenty of sharp corners that you will want to guard with corner bumpers. If you have a fireplace with a hearth, be sure that its properly secured or blocked off. Fireplaces themselves should also be blocked off, especially when lit. Buy a screen or gate to ward off babies and small children from getting close to the flames. Be sure to mount or secure large bookshelves and televisions so they cant topple over. Its also helpful to install cordless blinds and store away delicate items that can be easily broken.

Now for the bathroom. Like a kitchen, a bathroom can be one of the most dangerous rooms in a home for a baby. Again, remove all cleaning supplies and store them in a closet on a high shelf, out of reach. Keep medicines and razors in a medicine cabinet with a latch for added safety. Also get yourself a thermometer to test the temperature of bath water, making sure its not too hot. Remember to never leave your baby or small child alone in a bathroom, especially in a bathtub filled with water, to avoid drowning.

Lastly, take a final look at the nursery. This room will likely be the safest in the house, as well as where your baby may spend most of their time playing and exploring. Be sure to purchase a crib that meets safety standards. If you happen to acquire a hand-me-down crib, check that all safety regulations are met before you take a chance. Keep toys and stuffed animals in reach, as long as they arent small enough to be a choking hazard.

Double check that all safety precautions are taken in each room of your house. Youll want to avoid as many potential injuries or risks as possible, so ask other family members to play a part in making sure that your house is prepped for safety and ready for a baby.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Heres what you need to know before installing concrete countertops in your home.

Sealing Is Essential

Similar to marble, concrete is naturally porous and will stain if not protected with a sealant.

Enjoy Durability

Youll have the benefit of a seriously durable surface thats heat and scratch resistant.

Customizable

Concrete is completely customizable and can be cast in any size or shape you desire.

Extra Versatile

Concrete isnt limited to modern and industrial spaces. Its equally suited to giving rustic and minimalist aesthetics a trendy look.

Sustainable (Sometimes)

Some companies produce sustainable concrete that you can bring into your home in good conscience.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

A standard homeowners insurance policy covers damage to a house and its contents in many circumstances, but not all. Perils that are typically covered include fire, lightning, water damage, wind, fallen objects, damage caused by a vehicle or aircraft, theft, vandalism, explosions and damage caused by the weight of ice, snow or sleet. Other perils, such as earthquakes and floods, are often excluded from a standard homeowners insurance policy.

Coverage for Additional Perils
If your home is located in an area where there is a significant risk of a peril that isnt covered by a standard policy, you may be able to buy extra insurance to cover that peril. The types of optional coverage available depend on state laws and each insurance companys offerings. With extended coverage, you wont have to worry about suffering major damage or a total loss and not receiving any compensation.

Insurance Coverage for Other Structures
Homeowners insurance covers damage to a principal dwelling, but it may not automatically cover damage to another structure on the property, such as a detached garage or shed. If your policy doesnt cover those structures, you can purchase extra coverage so you wont have to pay for expensive repairs if, for example, a tree falls on your garage.

Protection for Valuables
A standard homeowners insurance policy will cover the contents of your home if they are damaged or destroyed by a covered peril, but the total amount of coverage will be limited. If you own expensive electronics, jewelry, artwork, antiques or other valuables, you may need to purchase extended coverage to protect them.

Coverage for Sewer Problems
Damage resulting from a sewer system failure can be expensive to clean up and repair. Some insurance companies offer extended coverage for sewer backups. You might want to purchase that coverage if your neighborhood has an older sewer system.

Inflation Protection
A homeowners insurance policy typically provides a set amount of coverage in the event of a loss. If that amount isnt adjusted for inflation and your house suffers catastrophic damage, you may not receive enough money to repair or rebuild it. With an optional inflation guard endorsement, your coverage limits will be adjusted each year to account for inflation.

Do You Have All the Homeowners Insurance Coverage You Need?
Making sure you have the right forms of homeowners insurance coverage and high enough limits is essential. If you dont and you suffer a loss, you may find yourself with a house that you cant live in and cant afford to repair. Read through your homeowners insurance policy so you understand what is covered and what is excluded. Consider any risks specific to your location and contact your insurance company or agent to discuss any questions or concerns you may have.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

No matter how diminutive your shared dwelling happens to be, everyone needs their own space. Whether its to find a few minutes respite from busy family life, or to create necessary boundaries with a roommate or among siblings, here are some creative and effective ways to carve out personal space in a small home or apartment.

1. Use decorative screens. An attractive screen will not only add style to your home, but will instantly create a private space in any room, or in a studio apartment. Use a screen to create an intimate reading nook or distraction-free work space, or use one in a shared bedroom to give each person a bit of privacy.

2. Convert a closet. If youve got a roomy closet or walk-in pantry, clear it out, remove the door and shelves, and outfit it with a small desk and chair. Now youve got a quiet spot for paying bills, writing letters, doing homework or journaling.

3. Build a loft. Whether its in a bedroom or common living area, if your ceilings are high enough, construct a loft space for sleeping, reading or binge-watching. Furnish it with cushy throw pillows and blankets to maximize relaxation value.

4. Hang a curtain. A shared bedroom can easily be turned into two separate spaces by hanging a fashionable curtain in a track or on an extended curtain rod down the center of the room, size permitting. The nice thing about a curtain, is that it can be drawn back to open up the space when privacy isnt required.

5. Use furniture. Any room or area can be instantly sectioned off for privacy with a large piece of furniture, such as a bookcase, wardrobe or hutch. Fill it with your favorite books for a studious look, or use plants, framed photos, or your favorite collections to add interest. If youre worried that a large furniture item will truncate your space, paint it the same color as your walls so that it blends in and flows better with your design.

Remember to keep design in mind when creating private spaces, so that the result looks natural and fashion-forward instead of forced and clunky.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Published with permission from RISMedia.