Whether you’re just starting to think about having children or your new bundle of joy is only a few weeks from arriving, having children completely changes nearly every aspect of your life. One area of your life that requires change is your home. To make your home a welcoming and safe environment for your child, it is crucial that you take some time to make some preparations. To zero in on the types of preparations you need to make, here are four household expenses that young couples should invest in to prepare for children.
Security
No matter how safe and secure your home is, you can always do more to add that next level of protection. That’s why this is an important expense to invest in as you await the arrival of your child. You can invest in safety gates for stairs, baby monitors with camera and audio, better locks, enhanced outdoor lighting, WiFi-connected devices that monitor your property, or even “invest” in a dog that will do a lot to thwart potential intruders. An ongoing cost you can invest in is monthly alarm system monitoring fees to ensure that first responders will arrive quickly to any emergency.
Health
You also want to ensure your home is as healthy as possible for a young child. After all, they are more vulnerable to sicknesses caused by environmental factors such as mold, mildew, and other common home problems. Mold or mildew can cause health symptoms like:
- a runny or blocked nose.
- watery, red eyes.
- a dry cough.
- skin rashes.
- a sore throat.
- sinusitis.
- wheezing.
According to the CDC, “Molds are very common in buildings and homes. Mold will grow in places with a lot of moisture, such as around leaks in roofs, windows, or pipes, or where there has been flooding. Mold grows well on paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, and wood products. Mold can also grow in dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation, drywall, carpet, fabric, and upholstery.”
They recommend that you, “Inspect buildings for evidence of water damage and visible mold as part of routine building maintenance, Correct conditions causing mold growth (e.g., water leaks, condensation, infiltration, or flooding) to prevent mold growth.”
Inside your home you can control mold growth by:
- Controlling humidity levels;
- Promptly fixing leaky roofs, windows, and pipes;
- Thoroughly cleaning and drying after flooding;
- Ventilating shower, laundry, and cooking areas.
Mold can come in a variety of different colors and textures here are a couple of examples of mold in homes:
If you notice mold symptoms you might just need your ducts cleaned or you may have a dampness problem caused by a leaky roof. When searching for a roofing contractor, be sure to select the appropriate company. Some roofing companies do only residential or commercial roofing services, and some larger companies offer both.
Outdoor Safety
Your open backyard may seem safe enough to you, but to a child, an open backyard is simply an invitation to run. That’s why it’s important to invest in some outdoor security by installing a new fence. A fence provides a safe and secure place for your child to play while ensuring they can’t “escape” to a place on your property that may be unsafe. As a bonus, if you use a privacy fence, it allows your children to play in anonymity, protecting them from the prying eyes of people passing by.
Comfort
While a faulty HVAC system may cause some momentary discomfort for you and your spouse, for a new baby, a faulty HVAC system could lead to negative health effects. That’s why it’s so important to invest in a tune-up of your HVAC system before your baby arrives. Ensure that each component is operating as it should so your home will always be comfortable for your baby. If you find that the system needs to be replaced, it’s a good idea to have it done before your baby arrives, as the process could become quite stressful if you add a baby to the mix.
Yourselves
Above all, couples should invest in themselves before their new baby arrives. A baby raised in a loving home is more likely to be happy and successful in the future. Therefore, take the time to go on a “babymoon,” spend a day at the spa, or do some other type of bonding activity to make sure your love is overflowing as you get ready to share that love with your baby.
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About the Author:
Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most of her time hiking, biking, and gardening. For more information, contact Brooke via Facebook at facebook.com/brooke.chaplan or Twitter @BrookeChaplan
