Bedrooms: Household Safety Checklist

Child's Room/Bedroom

• Does your baby's changing table have a safety belt?
• Are all painted cribs, bassinets, and high chairs made after 1978? (Prior to this, paint was lead based.)
• Are crib slats less than 2-3/8 inches (6 centimeters) apart?
• Are the crib's headboard and footboard free of large cut-outs?
• Is the crib mattress firm and flat? Does it fit snugly in the crib?
• Are the side rails up on the crib?
• Is the crib free of soft pillows, large stuffed animals, and soft bedding?
• Have any strings or ribbons been clipped off hanging mobiles and crib toys?
• Are strings on crib bumpers 6 inches (15 centimeters) or shorter?
• Are window blind and curtain cords tied with clothespins or specially designed cord clips? Are they kept well out of reach and away from cribs?
• Are dressers secured to walls with drawers closed?
• Do the lids on toy chests or toy storage containers have a lid support to keep them from slamming shut? Are all toy chests non-locking?
  
• Has a window guard been placed on any window that isn't an emergency exit?
  
• Are any night-lights in the room not touching any fabric like bedspreads or curtains?
  
• Does your child wear flame-retardant sleepwear?
• Have you removed all drawstrings from your child's clothing?

Adult's Bedroom

• Are all medication bottles, loose pills, coins, scissors, and any other small or sharp objects out of reach?
• Are window blind and curtain cords tied with clothespins or specially designed cord clips?

If you own firearms:

• Are they stored in a securely locked case out of kids' reach? All firearms should be stored unloaded and in the un-cocked position.
  
  
• Is ammunition stored in a separate place and in a securely locked container out of kids' reach?
  
  
• Are keys kept where kids can't find them?

Reviewed by: Kate M. Cronan, MD
Date reviewed: March 2010