Baby Proofing and Child Safety Checklist

Kitchen

Critical “must-do” safety checks

Does the cabinet under the sink contain cleaning supplies, bug sprays, dishwasher detergent, and dishwashing liquids? Is it locked with a childproof latch?
Are knives, forks, scissors, and other sharp tools in a drawer with a childproof latch?
Are glass dishes and appliances with sharp blades stored out of reach?
Are matches and lighters stored in a locked or out of reach drawer?
Are bottles containing alcohol stored out of reach?
Are plastic garbage bags and small grocery bags out of reach?
Are refrigerator magnets and other small choking hazards out of reach?
Are vitamin or medicine bottles stored out of reach?
Is your fire extinguisher out of reach?
Does the child’s highchair have a safety belt with a strap between the legs? Do you always use this belt?

Important safety considerations

(varies child to child, depending on level of curiosity)

Have you considered knob protectors on the stove knobs?
Have you considered a dishwasher lock so kids can’t reach breakable dishes, knives, and other dangerous objects?
When cooking, are all pot handles on the stove turned inward or placed on back burners where your child can’t reach them?
Are appliances unplugged when not in use, with cords out of reach?
Are childproof latches installed on cabinet doors?
If your child is particularly curious, have you considered a refrigerator lock?

Child’s room/bedroom

Critical “must-do” safety checks

Is your baby’s crib a hand-me-down? If so, is it a “drop side” crib? These cribs are illegal for sale in the U.S. If it is, do you have a repair kit installed to bolster the drop side? Are your crib screws tight?
Are crib slats less than ²/₈ to ³/₈ inches or six centimeters apart?
Is the crib mattress firm and flat? Does it fit snugly in the crib (no more than two finger widths between the mattress and slats)?
Is the crib free of soft pillows, large stuffed animals, and soft bedding?
Are window blind and curtain cords tied with clothespins, or cord clips? Are they kept well out of reach and away from cribs?
Does your baby’s changing table have a safety belt?
Are nightlights in the nursery not touching any fabric, such as bed-skirts or curtains?
Are bookshelves and other furniture secured with wall brackets so they can’t be tipped over?

Adult’s bedroom, office, living, and dining rooms

Are medication bottles, coins, scissors, and other small or sharp objects out of reach?
Are window blind and curtain cords tied with clothespins or cord clips?
Are there protective pads on the corners of coffee tables, furniture, fireplaces, and countertops that have sharp edges? Did you know that you can match colors of padding to your furniture (white corner pads for white furniture)?
Are doorknob covers in place to secure off-limits rooms, such as the office, garage, or utility room?
Are trash cans regularly changed? Dumpster diving is a favorite pastime for babies and toddlers.

Bathroom

Is the thermostat on the hot water heater set below 120° F (49° C) for preventing burns?
Are razor blades, scissors, and clippers stored out of reach (including Mom’s razor on the side of the tub)?
Are all prescription and nonprescription medications, cosmetics, and cleaners stored in a locked cabinet? Are childproof caps on all medications?
Do the outlets have ground fault circuit interrupters, which protect against electrocution if an electrical appliance gets wet? If you live in an older home that may not be “up to code,” have an electrician inspect your circuit breaker panel.
Are toilets always left closed?
Are all hair dryers, curling irons, and electric razors unplugged when not in use? When Mom finishes with the flat iron or curling iron, does she have a safe place to let it cool (including the cord)?

Garage and laundry area

Are tools and supplies used for gardening, automotive, and lawn care stored safely away from children?
Are hazardous chemicals for the car, pool, and gardening in a locked area?
Are recycling containers storing glass and metal out of reach? Are garbage cans covered?
Are bleaches, detergents, and all other cleaning products out of reach?
Are apartment or high rise laundry chutes locked with childproof locks?

Walls and floors

Are walls in good condition, with no peeling or cracking paint (especially in homes built before 1978)?
Are rugs fitted with no-slip pads underneath?
Have you purchased a handy sweeper to keep floors free of old food and dirt from shoes?
Have you swept your floor for random screws, nails, hooks, coins, push pins, and old Christmas tree hangers (getting down on hands and knees with eyes at floor level)?
Have you considered a “no shoes inside” rule for your household?

Doors and windows

Have you considered doorknob covers so that your child cannot leave the house? Have you considered a door alarm, if you live in a high traffic area?
Are there safety bars or window guards installed on upper-story windows left open for fresh air? Note: A Naval Academy classmate and friend lost his four-year-old child from a fall through a second story window screen.
Are window blind cords tied with clothespins or cord clips?

Stairways

Are there hardware-mounted safety gates at the top and bottom of every stairway? The top of the stairs gate should be secured with screws into the wall or banister railing.
Are you considering skipping a safety gate because you have a toddler sibling or an elderly family member who cannot pass the stairs freely? Don’t do it. Baby potentially falling far outweighs the inconvenience of the gate.
Are stairways clear of tripping hazards, such as clothing or toys?
Are railings and banisters secured?
Is the door to the basement steps kept locked? Is there a safety gate behind the door? Don’t rely on memory to close the basement door. Look for inexpensive extra gates at yard sales.

Electrical

Are unused outlets covered with safety plugs?
Are major electrical appliances grounded?
Have cord holders been used to keep longer cords fastened against walls?
Are televisions, computers, and stereo equipment securely positioned against walls?

Heating and cooling elements

Are baseboard heaters covered with childproof screens if necessary?
Have gas fireplaces been secured with a valve cover or key?
Do all working fireplaces have a screen and other barriers in place when in use?
Have your chimneys been cleaned recently?
Are all electric space heaters at least three feet (91 centimeters) from beds, curtains, or anything flammable?
Are window A/C units away from baby’s bedding?

If you own firearms

Are firearms stored in a securely locked case out of kids’ reach? All firearms should be stored unloaded and in un-cocked position.
Is ammunition stored in a separate place and in a securely locked container out of kids’ reach?
Are keys kept where children cannot find them?

Outdoors (backyard and pool)

Are sidewalks and outdoor stairways clear of concrete cracks or missing pieces?
Are swing set parts free from rust, splinters, and sharp edges?
Are parts on swing sets or other outdoor equipment securely fastened?
Is there climb-proof fencing, at least four feet (1.2 meters) high, on all sides of the pool?
Does the fence have a self-closing gate with a childproof lock?

Emergency equipment and numbers

Have you placed a list of emergency phone numbers in your home for caretakers?
Are there fire extinguishers installed near the dryer and in the kitchen?
Are there smoke detectors on each floor of your home? In each bedroom?
Have you tested smoke detectors within the last month?
Have you changed the batteries in the smoke detectors within the past six months?
If you cook with or heat your home with natural gas or have an attached garage, have you considered installing a carbon monoxide detector in your home?
If you live in a high crime or high traffic area, have you considered a home security system to protect your children and family members?

Prioritizing child safety

african-american baby girl safety checklist upkiq

To help prioritize child safety, here are the five leading causes and total number of unintentional injury deaths among children by age group (the percentages for each age group are listed in parentheses).

Rank	Age <1	Ages 1–4	Ages 5–9	Ages 10–14
1	Suffocation 907 (77%)	Drowning 450 (31%)	Motor Vehicle Traffic 378 (49%)	Motor Vehicle Traffic 491 (68%)
2	Motor Vehicle Traffic 91 (8%)	Motor Vehicle Traffic 363 (25%)	Drowning 119 (15%)	Transportation other 117 (15%)
3	Drowning 45 (4%)	Fire/Burns 169 (12%)	Fire/Burns 88 (11%)	Drowning 90 (10%)
4	Fire/Burns 25 (2%)	Transportation other 147 (10%)	Transportation other 68 (9%)	Fire/Burns 53 (6%)
5	Poisoning 22 (2%)	Suffocation 125 (9%)	Suffocation 26 (3%)	Suffocation 41 (5%)

Source: National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Baby Proofing and Child Safety Checklist

Kitchen

Critical “must-do” safety checks

Important safety considerations

Child’s room/bedroom

Critical “must-do” safety checks

Adult’s bedroom, office, living, and dining rooms

Bathroom

Garage and laundry area

Walls and floors

Doors and windows

Stairways

Electrical

Heating and cooling elements

If you own firearms

Outdoors (backyard and pool)

Emergency equipment and numbers

Prioritizing child safety

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