Is your home designed for kids? Probably not. But it is important to create a home that’s safe for kids, even if you don’t have children, especially if you want it to appear family-friendly.

   Safety gates, outlet covers and cabinet locks are some of the more obvious tools to child-proof your home, but potential hazards lurk elsewhere. Think about how kids often run into a room — and think about the sharp corners of tables, counters and bookshelves. In the kitchen, consider installing padding on the corners of islands and countertops.

   You might also want to consider installing a stovetop barrier to prevent pots from falling or being pulled off the stove and to protect children from hot splatters and spills. Floor vents can also attract curious hands; if pulled out from the floor, the grate’s sharp edges can be dangerous. To deal with this danger, screw the vents into the floor. Standard doorstops — the kind with the rubber tips — are another often-overlooked hazard.

   The tips can easily be pulled off and pose a potential choking hazard. Consider replacing these with solid, one-piece doorstops. These solutions for warding off accidents are easy and inexpensive — and worthwhile in more ways than one. Source: Ron Hazelton’s House Calls (www.ronhazelton.com)