Home Safety Checklist for Children
Adjust water heater’s temperature to 120 degrees or lower.
Anchor bookshelves, television stands, televisions, and other heavy items to house walls (Have anchors professionally installed).
Check that each medication is in a container with child-proof caps.
Check all drawers and cabinets for dangerous, sharp, small, and toxic items. Look out for (alcohol, buttons, knives, lighters, matches, and magnets). Start with these, this list is not exhaustive.
Discard expired prescription and over-the-counter medications.
Examine toys for removable parts that are small enough for children to swallow. Remove any that appear to be dangerous.
Have chimneys inspected annually.
Install child car seats and booster seats in compliance with manufacturer instructions. (Have them professionally installed).
Install non-skid mats or decals inside bathtubs and showers.
Install safety locks and latches to doors, cabinets and drawers.
Keep extension cords away from children’s reach.
Keep fire extinguishers in the kitchen and on each floor of the home.
Keep small appliances unplugged when not in use. (Radios, hair dryers, and toasters).
Keep stairways free of clutter, well lit, handrails securely fastened to the wall.
Keep hallways free of clutter, well lit, and make sure carpets and rugs are skid proofed.
Label and store flammable liquids away from children’s reach.
Maintain a well-stocked first aid supply cabinet.
Place a smoke detector on each level of the home, including one on the outside and inside of all sleeping areas. Test, and install new detectors and replace old detectors according to manufacturer specifications.
Place carbon monoxide detectors on each level of the home. Test, and install new detectors and replace old detectors according to manufacturer specifications.
Practice fire escape plans, including escape routes, and evacuation location (outside the home).
Label and store paint, and paint thinner away from children’s reach.
Remove plants that are poisonous away from children’s reach.
Store one ounce of Ipecac.
Store cleaners in a locked closet or cabinet.
Store power equipment and tools outside children’s reach.
Store firearms unloaded inside safes or locked cabinets.
Store ammunition for firearms in locked cabinets separate from firearm storage.
Store toys in boxes that are well ventilated and or have lightweight lids.
Store trash out of children’s reach.
Use safety gates at the bottom and top of stairways to help prevent falls. (Have them professionally installed).
Use plastic safety plugs with electrical outlets that are not in use.
Observe your home for anything else that could cause harm to a child. Get down to their eye level and look around.
Anchor bookshelves, television stands, televisions, and other heavy items to house walls (Have anchors professionally installed).
Check that each medication is in a container with child-proof caps.
Check all drawers and cabinets for dangerous, sharp, small, and toxic items. Look out for (alcohol, buttons, knives, lighters, matches, and magnets). Start with these, this list is not exhaustive.
Discard expired prescription and over-the-counter medications.
Examine toys for removable parts that are small enough for children to swallow. Remove any that appear to be dangerous.
Have chimneys inspected annually.
Install child car seats and booster seats in compliance with manufacturer instructions. (Have them professionally installed).
Install non-skid mats or decals inside bathtubs and showers.
Install safety locks and latches to doors, cabinets and drawers.
Keep extension cords away from children’s reach.
Keep fire extinguishers in the kitchen and on each floor of the home.
Keep small appliances unplugged when not in use. (Radios, hair dryers, and toasters).
Keep stairways free of clutter, well lit, handrails securely fastened to the wall.
Keep hallways free of clutter, well lit, and make sure carpets and rugs are skid proofed.
Label and store flammable liquids away from children’s reach.
Maintain a well-stocked first aid supply cabinet.
Place a smoke detector on each level of the home, including one on the outside and inside of all sleeping areas. Test, and install new detectors and replace old detectors according to manufacturer specifications.
Place carbon monoxide detectors on each level of the home. Test, and install new detectors and replace old detectors according to manufacturer specifications.
Practice fire escape plans, including escape routes, and evacuation location (outside the home).
Label and store paint, and paint thinner away from children’s reach.
Remove plants that are poisonous away from children’s reach.
Store one ounce of Ipecac.
Store cleaners in a locked closet or cabinet.
Store power equipment and tools outside children’s reach.
Store firearms unloaded inside safes or locked cabinets.
Store ammunition for firearms in locked cabinets separate from firearm storage.
Store toys in boxes that are well ventilated and or have lightweight lids.
Store trash out of children’s reach.
Use safety gates at the bottom and top of stairways to help prevent falls. (Have them professionally installed).
Use plastic safety plugs with electrical outlets that are not in use.
Observe your home for anything else that could cause harm to a child. Get down to their eye level and look around.