Household Safety Checklist

In order to protect you and your family, conduct a thorough safety check of every room in your home on a regular basis. Accidents and injuries may be prevented, and your family will be healthier and safer, when you practice a little prevention.

The following checklist may be printed to help you inspect your home.

Adult's bedroom:

Do not leave medications, toiletries, or other household products in drawers or on nightstands.

To avoid accidental injuries or choking, keep penknives, nail files, scissors, and pocket change out of reach of children.

Install a smoke detector in the hallway outside of the bedrooms. Check and change the batteries regularly.

Make certain drapery cords and/or blind cords are well out of reach of children.

Child's bedroom:

Make certain the crib mattress fits snugly.

Crib slats should be placed no wider than 2 and 3/8 inches apart.

Make certain the crib has been put together properly and is not missing screws or bolts - to prevent it from collapsing.

Make sure the crib and other baby furniture are painted with non-lead based paint.

Make certain there is a carpet or rug beneath the crib or changing table to soften the impact if an infant falls.

Make certain drapery cords and/or blind cords are well out of reach of children and away from cribs.

Remove all crib gyms, hanging toys, and decorations from a crib by the time a baby can raise up on hands and knees.

Make sure there is a safety belt on the infant changing table, and that it is used properly every time.

Make sure baby powder and lotions are out of a baby or child's reach. However, make sure the baby powder and lotions are within your reach, so you do not have to leave your infant to reach these items.

If your child can climb out of the crib, consider a youth bed with guard rails, or place the crib mattress on the floor.

Never leave small parts or pieces of a toy(s) in a child's room.

Make certain a night-light is not near or touching drapes or the bedspread. Also, never place towels or other fabric over a lamp to reduce the light in the room, as a fire may start.

Never place a crib, playpen, or bed near a window.

Make certain window screens are securely in place, or that window guards are present - to prevent a child from falling from a window.

Use plug protectors for all unused wall outlets.

If there is a lid on the toy box, it should not be heavy, hinged, or lockable. Children may crawl inside and become trapped.

Bathroom:

Put a nonskid bathmat on the floor and a nonskid mat or decals in the bathtub.

Protect all electrical outlets with ground fault circuit interrupters.

Store medications, cosmetics, toiletries, and cleansers well out of reach of children. Put childproof caps on all medications if you have children younger than 8 years of age.

When children are present, put child-resistant safety latches on all cabinets storing harmful substances such as toiletries, cleaners, and medications.

Store electrical appliances, such as hair dryers and curling irons, out of reach of children.