Childproofing Your Home

General House:

• Stairs- baby gates
• Small pieces of toys, broken/sharp toys, tools, plastic bags, balloons- Injury and Choking hazards
• Basement door – out of reach lock
• Baby walker with wheels- dangerous and should be discarded.
• Cleaners and dangerous liquids/powders – in high lockable cabinets
• Hot water heater for the house set at or below 120 degrees Farenheit.
• Do not keep firearms in the house. If there are firearms in the house keep them locked up and lock the bullets up separately.
• Toy Box should not have a heavy, hinged lid.
• Tables’ edges- padding.
• Houseplants out of reach. Try to avoid poisonous houseplants. Listing of poisonous plants: http://www.poison.org/prevent/plants.asp
• Television, Bookcases, Heavy items - anchored and secured.
• Outlets- plug protectors. Cords – out of reach.
• Fireplace – gate around the area to prevent burns.
• Drapes and blind cords out of reach- strangulation risk.
• Matches and lighters out of reach.

 
Kitchen:

• Sharp knives in high cabinets and out of reach
• Chairs and step-stools away from cabinets and oven/stove
• Cleaning products – keep in original containers in high &/or locked cabinets
• Vitamins and Medicines in high locked cabinets.
• When cooking use back burners and keep handles of pots pointing away from access
• Toaster and electrical appliances- out of reach and unplugged if not in use.
• Outlets- plug protectors. Cords – out of reach.
• High chair- Working straps- between legs and around waist; Sturdy.
• Fire Extinguisher within easy adult reach.

Bathroom:

• Medications, creams, makeup in high locked cabinet. Medications in original containers with childproof caps.
• Hair dryer, flat iron, curling irons, electrical appliances – unplugged and out of reach when not in use. Close supervision if in use.
• Outlets- plug protectors. Cords – out of reach.
• Child locks on cabinets
• Doorknob cover to prevent unsupervised bathroom access to little ones. Remind family members to close the toilet seat and close the bathroom door when exiting.
• Non skid bath strips/mat in tub. No unsupervised bathtub time for young children.
• Non skid bath mats in bathroom.

Bedrooms

• Drapes and blind cords out of reach- strangulation risk.
• Working smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector
• Outlets- plug protectors. Cords- out of reach.

Child’s bedroom

• Drapes and blind cords out of reach- strangulation risk.
• Working smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector
• Outlets- plug protectors. Cords- out of reach.
• Carpet or non-skid rug beneath the crib and changing table.
• Changing table: Safety belt. All changing supplies in easy reach of adult. No baby powder (risk of lung injury). Never leave a baby unattended on a changing table.
• Crib: No broken parts or pieces. No high posts or areas on which clothing can become hooked. No plastic material in or around the crib. Slots less than 2 3/8 inches apart. All hardware for the crib is in place and secured. Not placed near a window. Mattress should be firm and flat and should fit snugly- no gaps between it and the crib. No bumpers, pillows, blankets, stuffed animals or toys in the crib. By the time a baby is 4 months old the hanging toys, decorations and crib gyms should be removed. As the baby is able to pull up the mattress should be placed at the lowest possible level (deep into the crib).
• Window guards on windows.
• Night lights- if in use should be ‘cool’, not near any bedding or drapery, and out of reach.

 

OUTSIDE YOUR HOME

Yard

• Remove any poisonous plants. HYPERLINK "http://www.poison.org/prevent/plants.asp" http://www.poison.org/prevent/plants.asp
• Playset: Soft seats for swings. Sturdy. All hardware in place and secured. Capped nuts and bolts. Energy absorbing material beneath playset- wood chips, bark, sand, rubber. Face away from sun to prevent metal surfaces from burning children- and check temperature before children use playset. Check playset regularly for loose parts and to ensure the base underneath (wood chips, etc) are deep enough and sufficient. No playing on playset with dangling drawstrings. Supervision of children on a playset.
• Lawn tools locked up.
• Power mower should stop if handle is not being held. Young children (under 12) should not handle a power mower. All stones and toys should be cleared before lawn is mowed. Mower should wear glasses/goggles and closed toe shoes.

Pool

• Fence completely surrounding pool with a self closing and locking gate. Fence should be at least 4 feet high. Gate latch should be out of reach of small children.
• Keep life preservers and a phone near the pool in case of emergency.
• Never leave a child alone in or near a pool.
• Pool cover should completely cover pool with no gaps.

-Monique Araya, MD, FAAP
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