If you have kids or you're expecting children at your apartment on Mother's Day, here are some quick safety tips you can follow to ensure a fun time:

• Learn ways to prevent hidden dangers on the playground, such as equipment burns and bike helmet accidents.
  
  
• If you have an elevator in your apartment building, find out how you can prevent injuries by increasing kids' awareness of elevator safety.

(Photo © Ryan McVay / Getty Images)

With a continued focus on Mother's Day, here's another issue of importance to many moms who are looking for or currently renting an apartment.

Federal fair housing law, as you may know, protects renters based on "familial status," which refers to the presence of a child under 18 in a household. This means, for example, that a landlord can't turn you away just because you have one or more children living with you.

Many people (moms and dads alike) wonder if these rights apply only if a child is your biological child. In addition, some single, divorced, or widowed parents get concerned that their marital status may disqualify them from discrimination protection.

You may be happy to hear that under federal law, a child living in your household doesn't have to be your biological child to meet the definition of familial status. Plus, your marital status is irrelevant.

Learn more about who qualifies for familial status protection.

(Photo © Nossa Productions / Getty Images)

In honor of this coming Mother's Day, here's some important information every mom should know about apartment living. (Dads: You might want to listen, too.)

Say you move into an apartment and then discover there's a rule aimed at banning children from doing a certain activity or restricting their behavior in some way. Is such a rule legal?

The answer is maybe. Generally speaking, landlords can single out children in apartment rules if they're aimed at children's health and safety.

Learn more about how to tell if a landlord's rule singling out children is legal.

(Photo © Digital Vision / Getty Images)

There's a ton of information and tips out there that can help you get the most out of your apartment living. It can seem overwhelming and make you wonder where to begin.

Fortunately, you don't need to become an overnight expert on apartment living. Instead, start by reading up on the basics of key topics such as paying your rent, signing an apartment lease, and spotting unfair discrimination, and more.

(Photo © Andersen Ross / Getty Images)