Here is a basic safety checklist for your home. In addition to the points below, be sure to look carefully around your home for yourself, to see if there are any additional actions you can take to safety proof it for you and your child. But begin by making sure that:
All emergency numbers are posted by the phone including:
poison control centre
police
fire department
ambulance
local hospital
hydro - in case of a power outage
gas - in case of a gas leak
There are safety coverings on all electrical outlets
The following are inaccessible to children:
all hazardous products
drugs and medications (many children can take off childproof safety tops) - don't forget those that are in purses or jackets of guests
cleaning solutions
cigarettes, tobacco, matches and lighters
alcoholic beverages
garbage
soiled diapers and diaper pails
skin care preparations and container caps, baby powder, talc, cornstarch and diaper pins
plastic and dry cleaning bags
cat litter boxes and pet food
electrical and telephone cords
batteries
breakable materials
items considered personally valuable
guns (all guns are locked up in a cabinet that is secured permanently to the structure of the building, the ammunition is locked up in a separate container; the gun is secured with a trigger lock that needs a special key or wrench and the key or wrench is locked up separately from the gun)
All cleaning materials, medications and toxic substances are clearly labeled - hazardous products are never stored in drinking bottles
There is nothing available for children to climb up on to reach dangerous items or climb out of a crib or playpen
Locks on the inside of doors have been removed so children cannot lock themselves in a room
Hanging curtain or blind cords are out of children's reach
Free-standing lamps are behind heavy furniture
All windows that open have screens and locks
There is no loose flooring or rugs, or tiny objects buried in a rug
Doors are prevented from slamming shut and hurting fingers, by a towel tossed over the top of the door
Furniture is sturdy, splinter-free and without sharp edges
Open stairways are blocked off. (Pressure-mounted gates are not used at the top of a staircase - one good punch by a child or pet and all will go tumbling down.)
Purses are out of reach of children, including those of visitors (They may contain medicines or sharp objects.)
Wet areas (such as freshly washed floors) are blocked off so children don't slip and fall
Children are safe while the parent is answering the phone or door
A seat belt is always used when children are in a highchair, stroller, portable swing or any other piece of equipment
The house is properly equipped with a carbon monoxide detector(s)
Children are constantly supervised, and never left alone:
on a change table or bed
with a bottle
in the bath (children can drown in as little as 4 cm (1 1/2") of water)
in a highchair
on a bean bag chair or water bed (children can roll over and smother in the soft fabric)
on a balcony
with a pet, including sleeping with a child (jealous or curious pets can hurt children)
in a car
in the house - not even for a very brief time
There are no poisonous plants accessible to children.
