Home Safety Checklist

Babyproofing--the practice of removing as many hazards to small children from a home as possible--is not a difficult task. Rather, it is a constant, deliberate process of uncovering possible dangers in your home and removing them quickly. Remember, no amount of babyproofing is a substitute for your constant, careful supervision.

When to Begin

It's never too early to start babyproofing your home. If baby hasn't arrived yet, you may want to schedule a Safety Consultation so that you can plan your babyproofing efforts and budget. If you are a "do-it-yourselfer" and want to do some or all of the installation yourself, starting early gives you the time to work through installation issues. Also, some safety devices, like gates and latches, can be tricky to operate. You might benefit from the extra time to practice using them.

Don't worry if the baby's already here and you've not started. Schedule your consultation when your baby is about 5-6 months old or when she begins to crawl whichever happens first.

Again, keep in mind that no amount of babyproofing can replace a watchful eye. As your child grows and develops so will his curiousity, mobility, and potential for getting into dangerous situations. BE VIGILANT. Note any new danger areas as they surface and make them safe immediately. Delays may result in accidents, and perhaps, serious injury.

The most important thing is to do it. Babyproofing represents a small investment of time and money compared to your child's safety and your peace of mind. With your child free to safely play and move about your home, you can put an end to the "War of the No-ses". Instead, your time together can return to what your relationship should be about--having fun!!

Room-By-Room Check List

Take a tour of your home from a "baby's eye view"--on your hands and knees--using this checklist as a guide. Once you've completed the initial tour, give us a call or send an email to schedule your In-home Safety Consultation.


Guidelines for All Rooms

General

Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, in the kitchen, and inside each bedroom. Test them once a month and replace the batteries at least once a year (use a date you will remember, e.g. your child's birthday).

Keep a fire extinguisher handy and know how to use it.

Many accidents occur in other people's homes. Be extra vigilant when visting friends and relatives. Offer this checklist as reading material to those who frequently care for your child.|

Learn basic first aid and infant/child CPR.

Keep a list of emergency telephone numbers (police, fire, hospital, pediatrician, etc.) at every telephone. Don't rely on speed dial buttons. They can be easily erased or reprogrammed.

Have a family fire escape program. Decide on two emergency exits from each room and teach your children how to use them. If your children are very young, decide in advance who will be responsible for getting them out of the house.

Plants can be toxic. Remove any poisonous plants from your home.

Doors

Install one-piece doorstops. Regular doorstops have rubber tips. Children can easily remove the tips and choke on them.

Install overhead door locks on rooms or closets that you don't want your child to enter--such as your home office, bathrooms, or laundry room.

Install flip locks on doors to the outside to prevent your child from walking out the door when unattended.


Closets

Install bi-fold door locks on accordian-type closets to prevent your child from pinching his fingers.

Remove dry cleaning bags from all closets.


Stairways & Balconies

Mount gates at the top and bottom of stairs to prevent falls. Do not use pressure or accordian-style gates for stairways. Children can push over pressure gates. Accordian-style gates can be scaled like a ladder.

Make sure gaps between rails and banisters are less than 4 inches. Install acrylic sheeting along railings that exceed this standard to prevent your child from getting caught in between the rails.


Windows & Window Treatments

Keep drapery and mini-blind cords out of reach using cord cleats to prevent the possibility of strangulation.


Electrical Outlets & Wiring

Install self-closing (sliding) electrical outlet covers to ensure that outlets remain covered even if your child unplugs an appliance or if someone forgets to replace a plug cover after use.

Remove computer cables, telephone wires, and electrical cords from your baby's reach to prevent strangulation or electrical shocks.


Furniture

Remove unstable, top heavy furnishings that could fall over on your child.

Place furniture away from windows to prevent children from accidentally falling out.

Tighten or remove loose knobs on cabinets and drawers.

Watch out for sharp edges on tables and chests. Remove the furniture from the room completely or soften corners and edges with corner guards, edge cushions, or Toddler Shields (gathered padding designed to fit snugly around the entire table).

Fasten any shelving, bookcases, or dressers to the walls with furniture brackets.

Remove any glass from tabletops and replace with acrylic sheeting.


Fireplaces & Wood Stoves

Use a screen or HearthGate? to keep your child away from the fireplace or wood stove opening.

Place pillows or a quilt over the hearth to shield your child from serious injury in case of a fall. Or better yet, install a HearthGate? to keep him away from the fireplace altogether.

Guns and Firearms

NEVER keep fireharms in a home with children. If you must, store it unloaded and secure with a locking mechanism, or better yet, dismantled. In either case, keep the gun in a locked safe.

Kitchen

Install safety latches on all cabinets and drawers. Remove cleaning agents and other toxic substances (including alcoholic beverages) from lower cabinets and move them to an upper latched cabinet. This rule applies to all rooms where toxic substances are stored.

Remove knobs from the front of the stove.

Always cook on back burners when possible and keep pot handles facing toward the back of the stove. Keep hot foods away from table and counter edges. Never carry or hold your baby and hot liquids or foods at the same time.

Remove countertop knife holders.

Dispose of plastic grocery bags immediately.

Keep the trash compactor, dishwasher, and oven locked at all times. If these appliances do not have locks, use appliance locks to keep curious toddlers out.

Secure cords for counter top appliances. Little hands enjoy reaching up and tugging on loose cords. This danger can result in severe injuries when heavy appliances come crashing down.


Bathroom

Never, under any circumstances, leave your child alone in a bathroom. Children can drown in as little as two inches of water in just a few seconds! Don't assume that if there is no water in the tub there is no danger.

Put toilet lid locks on toilet seat covers to prevent accidental drowning.

Make certain electrical appliances (hair dryers, curling irons, etc.) are stored unplugged in a latched drawer or cabinet.

Put soft covers on bathtub faucets to protect little heads and use a bath seat or non-skid bath mat to prevent the baby from slipping during bath time.

Set temperature on your hot water heater to120 degrees or lower.


Baby's room

Don't use old cribs that may not meet safety standards.

Make certain that the distance between crib slats is no more than 2 & 3/8 inches.

Position the crib away from other furniture, windows, and wallhangings.

Wrap lamp and appliance cords so that your child cannot chew or strangle on the excess length. If possible, drape cords behind a large piece of furniture.

Never leave a baby unattended on a changing table. Keep diapering supplies within reach.

Master & Other Bedrooms

Empty nightstands of medication, cosmetics, jewelry, buttons, pencils, pens, and any potentially dangerous items.

Install overhead door locks on the doors to the master bedroom and older siblings rooms.

Keep a flashlight and extra batteries handy in a latched drawer in case of a power outage.

Home Office

Install an overhead door lock to keep your child out of your home office.

Install cord covers on cables and electrical cords.

Place power strip covers on power strips.

Keep small items, like pencils, erasers and staples, in a locked drawer.

Keep desk and filing drawer cabinets locked. If there are no locks, install latches, if possible, to keep your child from getting into the contents or from getting trapped inside of large drawers.

Laundry Room & Garage

Secure dangerous and poisonous materials in latched upper cabinets.

Install a mounted hanger for your ironing board and iron to prevent them from accidentally falling on your child.

Anchor your hot water heater to the wall to prevent it from falling onto your child.

Never store flammable liquids and materials near gas-fired appliances, such as water heaters or dryers, where fumes could accumulate and ignite