Kids & Toddlers, Richmond, VA

[Trevor Ewen]

We've got a tenant moving in on Tuesday with two kids, pretty young.

Any child safety horror stories or other lessons learned? Definitely want to hear from Virginia investors. In addition to protecting ourselves, we also want these kids to be safe. 

Read a bit on other posts about lead paint, making sure windows are secure, etc. Those things are fine.

We have a steep staircase in the unit, I really want them to get  a child safety gate for it, but I know that's out of our reach from an enforcement perspective (also, don't want to be liable for a faulty gate, etc.). 

[Marcia Maynard]

Are the controls for the kitchen range on the front within easy reach (such as with most gas ranges) or higher up to the back (as with most electric ranges)? How about the heating system? Forced air is safer than electric baseboard or wall units. If you have electric baseboards heaters, make sure the parents watch out for small fingers or toys that may find their way onto the heating elements. Check these during your periodic maintenance inspections.

Greatest concern that you can easily address if fire safety. Make sure your units have the proper smoke/CO detectors and the parents know how to keep them working safely. Make sure there is proper egress for emergencies. Provide your tenants with information from your local fire department and red cross for safety awareness and emergency preparedness. You can include these with a move-in packet. Helpful regardless of the ages of the occupants.

You may want to have a candid conversation with the parents about your interest in child safety and ask them about their thoughts. Young, inexperienced and/or uneducated parents may not have thought about the environment and child safety. Do they have devices to keep young children out of cupboards, plugs to cover electrical outlets, safety gates, etc. No harm in asking them. They might not have thought about it and you may be able to give them a child safety pamphlet that further explores this. Then again, perhaps they already have this covered and are more knowledgeable than you!