Home Safety Tips
Injury Prevention for Your Growing Family
Preparing your home for a growing child can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Use this checklist to identify potential harmful hazards to your baby. The items listed in each category pose potential hazards in your home. Each hazard is followed by a suggestion or product that can address that problem. Follow this advice, and you can enjoy the freedom of knowing that your home is safer for your baby, while they enjoy the freedom of exploring their surroundings.
Kitchen
Stove: Use the back burners when possible. If you need to use front burners, turn pot handles back. Use stove guards to block splattering grease and to prevent children from reaching pot handles.
Dishwasher: Point all knives and forks down.Chemicals / Cleaners: Under sink, be sure there is no residue on bottom of cabinet. Lock cabinet.
Vents: Screw down or use double-sided tape to secure depending on the surface.
Kitchen table: Check under table and chairs for protruding nails, staples or screws.
Pantry: Lock it. There are different options available to keep small items, glass, or plastic bags out of reach, and prevent climbing.
Cabinet & drawers: Latch all cabinet and drawers below the counter top. Simple push-down type latches or magnetic locks are available.
Family/Living Room
Plants: Remove from child’s reach. Be aware which are poisonous and non-toxic. All plants are choking hazards.
Tables: Look for rusty nails, staples, bolts, etc. under the table that can injure your child’s head. Pad edges.
Coffee table: Pad edges using a Toddler Shield.
Glass items: Lock up or remove.
Window cords: Wrap on a window blind cleat.Outlets: Cover with safety plates.
Stereo Cabinets and Cords: Lock with safety strap and use Cord Control kit or Cord-a-Way.
Television: Secure stand with furniture straps and TV with TV straps.
Bookshelves: Use furniture straps to attach bookshelf to wall.
Hearths: Install a hearth gate, or hearth pad. Remove tools and gas key, keep area clean, and block opening with Plexiglas.
Potpourri, dried flowers: Remove items.
Stairs
Top and bottom of stairways: Install gate, several types are available.
Railing: Openings that are more than 4” can pose a danger to baby. Baby’s head or body can get stuck or baby can fall through larger openings. Plexiglas or a Kid Shield can be installed to prevent injuries.
Office
Cabinets and drawers: Lock if small items are inside, i.e. coins, pens, paperclips, etc.
Bookshelves: Attach to wall.
Power strip: Cover to prevent burns and electrical shock.
Outlets: Cover with safety plates.
Baby's Room
Windows: Don’t open more than 4”, about the size of an adult fist.
Crib: Mattress to fit snugly. Mobile hung out of child’s reach. Crib toys hung on wall side. Crib railings should be no more than 2 3/8” apart — the size of a soda can. No electrical cords near the crib.
Master Bedroom
Doorstops: Replace with a one-piece doorstop in which tip can’t fall off.
Window blind cords: Install window blind cleat.
Television: Secure stand with furniture straps and TV with TV straps.
Bookshelves: Attach to wall to prevent tipping.
Dressers: Drawers are used as steps often, so attach to wall to prevent tipping.
Nightstand: Lock if you keep following items inside: aspirin, inhalers, coins, pens, pen caps, lotion, vitamins and other medicines – all may pose choking, poisoning or even death.
Mirrors: If tall-standing type, move out of child’s reach or attach to the wall.
Closets: Remove wire hangers and dry-cleaning bags. Keep belts and ties out of reach.
Master Bathroom
Cabinets and drawers: Lock with any one of six different types of latches, if razors, medicine, soap or other toiletries are kept in these.
Toilet: Use a toilet lid lock to prevent drowning.
Shower stall: Don’t leave any razors, shampoos or soaps on shower floor or low shelves.
Tub/Spa: Steps may have sharp edges; use padding here.
Garbage cans: Lock in cabinet under sink. Plastic liners are a suffocation risk; don’t use them if at all possible.
Cabinets under sink: Lock and keep clean of all debris.
Medicine cabinets: Not safe for storage. Medicine safes are available.