Room Safety Checklist
Making a room safe for children is a top priority for parents. Each room in the home has special considerations. Creating a safety checklist for each room allows you to inspect for dangerous items and remove them, apply safety measures and rest in peace that you have created a safe environment for you and your kids to enjoy.
Kitchen
Keep kids safe in the kitchen.
The kitchen has many safety considerations. Always keep children away from hot surfaces. Do not carry a child and a hot item at the same time. When you cook, make sure to put everything on the back burners to prevent a child from pulling on pot handles and dumping out hot contents. Cover electrical outlets with safety guards. Medications, vitamins, sharp objects and other potentially dangerous substances need to be stored out of reach or in a locked cabinet. Some families choose to install child locks on cabinets or appliances to prevent unsafe exploration. Store buckets empty and upside down to prevent drowning or getting stuck.
Bedroom
Safety in the bedroom allows for free play.
Bedrooms are a great place to play when they are safe. Secure windows with a sturdy window guard and window screens. Make sure the windows can be opened completely in the event of a fire. Use child-proof curtains or blinds that do not have strings that could choke a child if they get adventurous and try to use them for riding an imaginary horse. Make sure heavy dressers or other furniture are secured to the wall with furniture straps or brackets. Check small items to make sure they are not choking size. Do not use pillows and blankets around babies, and make sure the bed is safe with a railing if necessary. Playpens need to have the sides up and locked to prevent injuries.
Family Room
A safe family room makes a great gathering place to talk, play a game or watch a movie. Cover electrical outlets if you have young children. Make heavy furniture safe by securing to the wall with straps or brackets. Cover sharp corners of coffee tables or other objects with soft foam and tape to prevent injury if a child falls or hangs on the edge while he learns to walk.
Bathroom
The bathroom is both an amusing and dangerous place for a child. Be sure to know what you have in your bathroom and keep all dangerous cleaners, vitamins and medications out of reach or in a locked cabinet. Store buckets and anything else that holds liquids empty and upside down. Use a nonskid mat on the floor and in the tub. If you have a child who explores the toilet, consider installing a toilet lock or leaving the bathroom doors closed. Set your hot water heater at a level that will not scald young skin. When giving your child a bath, test the water with your wrist or elbow to make sure it is not too hot and keep a hand on your child as you bathe her. Drowning can happen quickly.
Overall Safety
Look around each room for potential hazards. Put away items you do not want a child to explore or that may be dangerous. Make sure any household repairs are completed, such as trim coming off that has tacks sticking out. Check for smoke and carbon monoxide alarms that work properly at least 15 feet away from any fuel-burning appliances. Keep space heaters at least three feet away from flammable items such as curtains or blankets.
Kitchen
Keep kids safe in the kitchen.
The kitchen has many safety considerations. Always keep children away from hot surfaces. Do not carry a child and a hot item at the same time. When you cook, make sure to put everything on the back burners to prevent a child from pulling on pot handles and dumping out hot contents. Cover electrical outlets with safety guards. Medications, vitamins, sharp objects and other potentially dangerous substances need to be stored out of reach or in a locked cabinet. Some families choose to install child locks on cabinets or appliances to prevent unsafe exploration. Store buckets empty and upside down to prevent drowning or getting stuck.
Bedroom
Safety in the bedroom allows for free play.
Bedrooms are a great place to play when they are safe. Secure windows with a sturdy window guard and window screens. Make sure the windows can be opened completely in the event of a fire. Use child-proof curtains or blinds that do not have strings that could choke a child if they get adventurous and try to use them for riding an imaginary horse. Make sure heavy dressers or other furniture are secured to the wall with furniture straps or brackets. Check small items to make sure they are not choking size. Do not use pillows and blankets around babies, and make sure the bed is safe with a railing if necessary. Playpens need to have the sides up and locked to prevent injuries.
Family Room
A safe family room makes a great gathering place to talk, play a game or watch a movie. Cover electrical outlets if you have young children. Make heavy furniture safe by securing to the wall with straps or brackets. Cover sharp corners of coffee tables or other objects with soft foam and tape to prevent injury if a child falls or hangs on the edge while he learns to walk.
Bathroom
The bathroom is both an amusing and dangerous place for a child. Be sure to know what you have in your bathroom and keep all dangerous cleaners, vitamins and medications out of reach or in a locked cabinet. Store buckets and anything else that holds liquids empty and upside down. Use a nonskid mat on the floor and in the tub. If you have a child who explores the toilet, consider installing a toilet lock or leaving the bathroom doors closed. Set your hot water heater at a level that will not scald young skin. When giving your child a bath, test the water with your wrist or elbow to make sure it is not too hot and keep a hand on your child as you bathe her. Drowning can happen quickly.
Overall Safety
Look around each room for potential hazards. Put away items you do not want a child to explore or that may be dangerous. Make sure any household repairs are completed, such as trim coming off that has tacks sticking out. Check for smoke and carbon monoxide alarms that work properly at least 15 feet away from any fuel-burning appliances. Keep space heaters at least three feet away from flammable items such as curtains or blankets.
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