Home Safety Checklist

Every year, more than five million children are injured in their homes seriously enough to need emergency medical care. Unintentional, preventable injuries are the leading killer of children in the United States and more children die from injuries that could have been prevented than from all diseases combined.

Most of these deaths and injuries are caused from fires and burns, falls, poisonings, choking, suffocation’s, electrocutions, drowning and misuse of guns.

As a parent or caregiver, how can you protect your child? Make your home a safe place by childproofing. This safety checklist can help protect your child — and everyone else in the family — from unintentional injuries. But remember, you still need to watch your child closely. Supervision is the best safeguard.

Safety Checklist

 

General Living Areas

  • Are all items dangerous to children out of reach:
    o plants (poison danger)?
    o cigarettes and ashtrays (poison danger)?
    o loose change and latex balloons (choking danger)?
    o matches and lighters (burn danger)?
  • Are high-traffic areas well lit and free of obstacles?
  • Are guns stored unloaded and in locked cases or drawers and is the ammunition stored separately?
  • Is there at least one working smoke detector on each floor of your home and one in the hallway by the bedrooms?
  • Are your smoke detectors checked and cleaned monthly and the batteries changed at least twice per year?
  • Do you have a home fire escape plan?
    o Does it have two exit routes?
    o Does everyone know the designated meeting place?
    o Do you practice the escape plan?
    o Have you set off the smoke detector for your children to hear?
  • Do your children know how to “stop, drop and roll” if clothing is on fire?
  • Do you have a carbon monoxide detector in your home?
  • Are emergency phone numbers posted by the phone:
    o family physician and/or pediatrician?
    o poison control center?  (For a free Poison Center sticker, call 502-629-KIDS.)
    o ambulance? fire department? police?

Electrical Outlets & Fixtures

  • Do all electric switches and outlets have cover plates?
  • Do all unused outlets have child-proof covers (plastic outlet plugs)?
  • Are electric cords:
    o out of the reach of children and out of traffic flow?
    o not frayed, cracked, run under rugs or stapled to baseboards?
  • Is the use of extension cords kept to a minimum and unused outlets on the cord covered?
  • Does every light fixture have a bulb in it that is the appropriate size and wattage?
  • Are all fuses the correct size and in good working condition?

Kitchen

  • Are there safety latches on cabinet doors?
  • Are cleaning supplies stored:
    o separately from foods?
    o in a locked cabinet out of the reach of children?
    o in their original container?
  • Are vitamins and medicine stored out of the reach of children?
  • Are alcoholic beverages stored out of the reach of children?
  • Are dangerous objects stored out of reach:
    o knives and other sharp objects?
    o serrated boxes of plastic wrap and aluminum foil?
    o plastic grocery bags and garbage bags?
  • Are hot food/beverages kept out of the hands of adults holding children?
  • Are pot handles always turned toward the center of stove?
  • Do you test the temperature of foods and beverages (especially micro waved) before serving them to children?
  • Are electrical appliances stored unplugged, away from water and out of reach?
  • Do you keep your child in a safe place while cooking?
  • Do sharp corners on counters and tables have protective cushions?
  • Do you avoid using tablecloths, and towels placed on the edge of counters and tables that children use to pull things down onto them selves?
  • Does your child’s high-chair have a wide base and a lap belt?
  • Do you avoid serving children less than 5 years of age choking hazards such as peanuts, grapes, hot dogs, popcorn and raw carrots?
  • Have you taught your child the dangers of matches and lighters and are they always stored out of the reach of children?

Laundry Room

  • Is the laundry door kept closed (even locked, as much as possible)?
  • Are chairs and other objects that could be used for climbing kept away from the washing machine and dryer?
  • Do you always empty buckets, ice chests, diaper pails, etc. immediately? (Children can drown in as little as one inch of water.)
  • Do you always keep children away from the iron and ironing board while ironing and unplug the iron and fold up ironing board when not in use?

Bathroom

  • Are medicines and cleaning supplies stored:
    o in a locked cabinet?
    o out of the reach of children?
    o in clearly marked and original containers?
    o in containers with child-resistant caps?
  • Are razors, scissors and other sharp items stored out of reach of children?
  • Is your child (5 years of age and younger) always watched by an adult while in the bathtub?
  • Is there protective padding on the faucets of the bathtub?
  • Are electric appliances (including hair dryers and curling irons):
    o unplugged when not in use?
    o positioned and stored away from water?
    o out of the reach of children?
  • Is there a non-skid mat in the bathtub?
  • Is your water heater turned down to 120o F or warm? Is your tub equipped with an anti-scald device?
  • Do you always check the temperature of the water before putting your child into it?
  • Is the toilet lid kept down? (Childproof toilet locks are available.)
  • Is the bathroom door kept closed?

Living Room

  • Are all pieces of furniture stable or securely fastened to the wall so they cannot be pulled over?
  • Is the liquor cabinet or bar locked at all times?
  • Is the television on a low, sturdy piece of furniture or out of reach?
  • Are sliding glass doors kept locked? Do they have stickers on them to prevent a child from walking or running into them?
  • Is access to windows blocked so your child can’t climb or fall out?
  • Do all rugs and runners have non-skid backing or are they tacked down?
  • Are children watched carefully around recliners? (Small hands and feet — even heads — can get caught.)
  • Do all sharp corners of tables and other furniture have protective cushions? (Avoid glass-topped tables with young children.)
  • Do you have your chimney inspected and cleaned every year to avoid the risk of a fire?
  • Are there screens or safety rails on fireplaces, wood stoves and heaters?

Bedroom

  • Do you always make infants and children sleep in their own bed or crib?
  • Are phone and electrical cords in good condition, out of walkways and out of the reach of children?
  • Do you properly dispose of dry cleaning bags? (Never leave them hanging on clothes in the closet.)
  • Are poison and choking hazards stored out of reach:
    o cosmetics, powder and hair spray?
    o jewelry and loose coins?
    o sewing notions and safety pins?
    o perfume and cologne?
    o purses and wallets?

Nursery

  • Does your child’s crib have:
    o slats that are no more than 23/8 inches (6 cm) apart?
    o a mattress that fits snugly against the frame (no more than two finger-widths  between slats and mattress)?
    o an approved mattress cover? (Never use plastic as a cover.)
    o sides that are 22 inches (56 cm) above the mattress?
    o secure, child-proof side locks?
  • Have you made sure that the crib has:
    o no sharp corners or edges and no projections (such as posts)?
    o no broken, cracked or loose parts?
    o no cords or drapery in, or near, the crib?
    o no low mobiles that the child could strangle on or use to climb out?
    o no objects, such as pillows or stuffed animals?
  • Have you placed the crib at least one foot from furniture, hampers, radiators, heating vents and windows?
  • Does the changing table have straps to prevent falls?
  • Are vaporizers and humidifiers kept out of the reach of children?
  • Do you always use your child’s playpen or portable crib according to manufacturer’s instructions?
  • Is your infant or child always watched closely when in a playpen?
  • Is window access restricted so that your child can’t climb or fall out?

Child’s Bedroom

  • Have you made sure that your child’s bed has:
    o no sharp corners or edges and no projections (such as posts)?
    o no broken, cracked or loose parts?
  • Does your child’s bed have guard rails to prevent falls until they are accustomed to sleeping in a regular bed?
  • Do you allow only children older than the age of 6 to sleep on the top bunk of a bunk bed?
  • Are toys stored in a lidless toy chest?
  • Are toys:
    o without small pieces that can break off?
    o without sharp corners or edges?
    o without joints that can pinch fingers?
    o without projections that can injure eyes?
    o of appropriate size and age for your child?
  • Are toys intended for older children kept away from younger children?
  • Do you regularly inspect your child’s toys and dispose of damaged or unsafe toys?
  • Are your child’s play areas free of chipping or peeling paint?
  • Do you allow your children to sleep only in flame-retardant sleepwear?
  • Is window access restricted so that your child can’t climb or fall out?

Stairs & Railings

  • Are there safety gates (avoid accordion style) at the top and bottom of all stairways?
  • Is there firm footing on the stairs (no loose carpeting, uneven steps)?
  • Do all rugs and runners have non-skid backing or are they tacked down, particularly at the top of stairs?
  • Are stairs well-lit?
  • Are the protective walls and railings on stairs, porches and balconies sturdy, secure and in good repair?
  • Is the space between stair rails less than 4 to 5 inches to prevent falls?

Basement & Garage

  • Do you have child-proof latches on basement and garage access doors?
  • Does your electric garage door opener have an automatic reverse or a push-button emergency wall switch?
  • Do you keep your electric garage door opener remote control out of your child’s reach when not in use?
  • Do you keep your car doors locked and your keys removed when the vehicle is in the garage?
  • Are these dangerous objects stored out of reach:
    o tools?
    o nails, screws and other small objects?
    o ropes and chains?
  • Are power tools unplugged when not in use and stored out of the reach of children?
  • Are ladders stored horizontally to prevent climbing on them?
  • Are all old, unused appliances disposed of immediately?
  • Are poisonous substances stored out of reach and in original containers:
    o insect sprays?
    o weed killers and fertilizers?
    o paints, turpentine, rust remover and other solvents?
    o gasoline, kerosene, antifreeze and  windshield-wiper fluids?
  • Are volatile liquids capped tightly and stored away from the furnace, hot water heater and other heat sources?

In An Emergency

If you believe your child needs emergency care, contact your child’s doctor. If you’re unable to reach your physician — or in the event of a serious emergency — bring your child straight to the emergency department at Kosair Children’s Hospital, any hour of the day or night. Kosair Children’s has the staff, the facilities, the equipment, and the technology to handle any pediatric emergency, from the smallest cut to the most serious injury.

Why Kosair Children’s Hospital Cares

Kosair Children’s Hospital is Kentucky’s only free-standing, full-service hospital dedicated exclusively to caring for children, adolescents and young adults. We have a strong commitment to the health and safety of all children. For more information on positive parenting or to inquire about free fact sheets on a variety of health and safety subjects, call 502-629-KIDS or 1-800-852-1770.