Childproofing

Checklist for Childproofing Your Home

If you haven’t already childproofed your home, now is a good time to start! If you have already done it, this checklist may be helpful if there are some things you may have overlooked.

There are some points that are common to every room in your house. We will start with these, and then cover points that may be found in particular rooms or parts of your home.

Some of the points may not be applicable or practical, depending on the design of your home, or your current budget.

Every Room

Electrical hazards such as electrical outlets should have plastic covers inserted, and electrical cords to appliances should be out of reach. Electrical cords on the floor for heaters etc should be stabilized such as covering with a rug to prevent tripping on the cord.

Keep matches, lighters, fire starters and cigarettes out of reach.

All chemicals, cosmetics and containers with liquid [including foods such as cooking oils, and dishwashing or cleaning products] should be out of reach.

Place all firearms and ammunition in a secure location.

Place all plants out of reach, and ensure you know the names of the plants in case they are accidentally eaten.

Ensure all heating devices such as fireplaces, stoves, radiators and electrical or gas heaters have screen barriers around them. Also check they are adequately vented.

Shorten or secure any cords or string for curtains or blinds are out of reach.

Consider safety-proofing water taps, particularly hot water taps.

Keep furniture or other climbing objects away from windows.

Secure windows with window locks so a child cannot open them and fall out. Any ranchsliders should have markers/stickers on them so they are visible and a child is less likely to walk into them.

Check for unsteady furniture that could fall onto a child either climbing it or steadying themselves against it.

Consider putting corner bumpers on sharp edges such as hearth edges and furniture.

Put door stops on all doors to prevent them closing on child’s fingers.

Remove or put out of reach any small objects that can be put into a child’s mouth such as ornaments and door-stop end caps. Check under all furniture and beds for small objects such as coins that could have remained undetected for a while.

Place out of reach any photos in glass frames that could result in broken glass if pulled and dropped onto the floor.

Place smoke alarms on each level of your home, and outside bedrooms, and kitchens and the garage.

Consider putting guards on the hinge side of doors to prevent fingers getting pinched.

Children’s Rooms

Place the crib and any beds away from windows, cords and curtains/blinds.

Ensure all heating devices are out of reach.

If the bedrooms are not on ground floor, ensure there is a fire-escape ladder to each bedroom.

All mattresses should fit properly and any ties are secured.

Keep all baby changing supplies out of reach.

Electric blankets should not be used.

Night lights should be placed well away from beds and curtains/blinds to reduce the risk of fire.

If children are new to big beds, place padding on the floor, and if practical, side rails to prevent falls.

Remove toy mobiles from the sides of the crib once the child can reach them.

When your infant is on a changing table, don’t leave them alone, and always use a safety belt.

If toys are stored in a box with a lid, or a chest, fit a spring loaded device to the lid to prevent it slamming on your child’s fingers.

Kitchen

Keep all sharp implements secured or out of reach.

Ensure all washing and cleaning products are secured or out of reach.

Keep electrical cords to appliances such as jugs unplugged.

Consider putting a protective cover over the cooking stove controls so they cannot be turned on, or turn the stove off at the master switch.

When cooking turn pot handles towards the back of the stove.

Install latches on the oven and dishwasher doors.

Remove furniture or objects that can be used to climb up onto the kitchen bench.

Store glassware, china and tea sets out of reach.

Make sure cooking food is not left unattended – to minimize burns and fire.

Try and not use placemats or place cloths on tables as they can be pulled off along with anything on them such as hot liquids in bowls.

Keep plastic bags secure or out of reach.

Try to buy products with child proof lids.

Install a childproof lid on the garbage bin to keep children away from sharp objects such as opened tin lids.

Keep food that could cause choking out of reach.

Bathroom

Ensure the medicine cabinet is secured. Keep all supplements, vitamins, mouthwash, antacids and prescription drugs in a secure cabinet.

Keep all cosmetics and sharp devices such as razors secured.

Install anti-slip products in and around the bath and shower.

All electrical outlets near water should include a safety ground feature.

Consider lowering the temperature of hot water, and always test the temperature of bath water before bathing infants/children.

Don’t leave infants and young children unattended in the bathroom.

Consider installing toilet lid locks.

Consider installing tap covers on hot taps as they can remain hot after the water has stopped running.

Consider installing a child proof handle on the bathroom door so a child can’t find their way in there when you are not watching.

Stairs/Hallway

Consider installing carpet on stairs in case of falls.

Ensure adequate lighting, especially on stairs.

Consider safety proofing the sides of stairs below the hand rails if a child could fall through.

Consider putting gates at the top and bottom of stairs to prevent mobile infants and small children falling down them.

Use anti-slip rugs

Garage

Ensure all chemicals [such as solvents, paints, oil, and sprays] are secured or out of reach.

Keep any gas cylinders for barbeque or heaters out of reach.

Place all sharp tools or implements out of reach.

Keep all electrical tools secured.

Place all small objects such as nails and screws out of reach.

Secure any objects that could be pulled over onto a child, or used as a climbing device.

Keep the floor free from oil drips to prevent slipping.

Keep the keys out of motorized vehicles.

Keep all electrical cords out of reach and pulled out.

Yard

Keep all garden tools and lawn equipment secured in a shed or in the garage.

If you have any trees, flowers or plants in your yard, know what they are in case the flowers or berries are eaten. Ensure any pruned branches are not left protruding with a sharp point.

Any plants such as roses [which have thorns] should have protective screens around them.

If you have a swimming pool, ensure it is adequately fenced and secure.

If you have any retaining walls or terraced areas, ensure the top has a barrier to prevent falls.

Keep children away from lawns and plants for 48 hours after spraying with pesticides or fertilizers.

Don’t leave barbeques unattended when children are present.

Swings, trampolines and climbing devices should have ‘soft fall’ areas underneath them.

General

Have a written emergency plan containing:
- Phone numbers of emergency services
- Your address and phone number [easy to forget in a state of panic, or when you ask guests to ring for you!]
- Any helpful instructions on how emergency services can find your home
- Poison centre phone number and a list of all plants/trees in and around your home that could be eaten
- Any existing medical conditions of any family members

Have a first aid kit and receive regular first aid training.

Have a written fire evacuation plan, and practice it twice a year.

Install fire extinguishers in at least the kitchen and garage, and know how to use them.

Assemble a disaster kit containing emergency equipment and supplies.