Child Proofing Your Home Checklist
Electricity
- Ensure a safety switch is installed on the main switchboard to prevent electric shock
- Put Outlet Plugs in unused power points
- Make sure there are no dangling electrical cords that your child can reach anywhere
Windows, Windows, Glass , Glass Doors & Balconies & Balconies
- Don’t put anything a child could climb onto underneath a window or edge of balconies
- Put stickers on low windows and glass doors to help children see them
- Consider applying shatter resistant film to any non-shatterproof windows and doors
- If above ground floor install latches to Ensure windows can’t be opened more than 10cm
- Teach your children to play away from windows and glass doors
- Don’t rely on fly screens to stop your child from falling out of a window
- Ensure balustrades on balconies are secure, intact and not loose so can’t be pulled off
- Ensure children are always supervised on balconies
Burns and Scalds Burns and Scalds
- Ensure the kettle cord is out of reach of children
- When cooking ensure pot and pan handles are turned away from the edge of the stove
- Fit a tap guard to the hot water tap to children from turning it on
- Fill the bath with cold water first or fit a thermostatic valve to the bathroom taps
Heaters and Fire Hazards
- Ensure fire alarms are installed and working correctly and test regularly
- Keep a fire extinguisher and fire blanket in the kitchen
- Install guards around heaters and open fireplaces
- Keep matches and lighters out of reach of children
Stairs
- Install stair safety gates at top and bottom of stairs and make sure they are locked
Floor Coverings
- Put anti slip mats under rugs and mats and tack down loose carpet or rug edges
- Wood and tile floors can be slippery when wet so clean spills up immediately
Kitchen
- Keep small fridge magnets out of reach of children as they can be a chocking hazard
- Consider installing anti opening devices for microwave, oven, fridge and dishwasher
- Consider a locking device for dishwasher and always place dirty knifes sharp end down
- Keep surfaces hygienically clean by wiping them down regularly
- Keep appliance cords away from edge so children can’t pull them or use a cord shortener
- Consider a stove guard to keep children far enough away from hot oven door
- When cooking ensure pot and pan handles are turned away from the edge of the stove
- Keep plastic bags out of reach as they are a suffocation hazard Keep cleaning products including dishwasher powder and tablets out of reach or secured
- Keep sharp objects out of reach or secured
- Keep the rubbish bin out of reach or secured so it can’t be opened by a child
- Consider installing cupboard and drawer locks to help prevent children opening them
Toys
- Ensure all toys are suitable for your Childs age
- Remove and discard all packaging bore letting your child play with the toy
- Check the toy for any loose or removable parts that could become a chocking hazard
- Immediately repair or throw away damaged or broken toys
- Be aware of stings, ribbons and cords as they could become a strangulation hazard
- Ensure toys are kept hygienically clean
Other Cautions
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Put locks or safety latches on drawers or cupboards containing hazards to children such as medicine cabinet, cleaning products, poisons or sharp objects etc.
- Never carry a baby with hot food or drink or never pass to a breast feeding women or lift over a child Avoid using table cloths as baby could pull it causing things on table to fall on them
- Consider door stops and hinge protectors to prevent fingers getting trapped
- Never leave any water in containers as babies only need a few centimeteres to drown
- Avoid bean bags in your home as the small polystyrene balls can be a chocking hazard
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