Disclaimer: This material is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it. It is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, nor does it replace the advice or counsel of a doctor or health care professional. Reference to a specific commercial product or service does not imply endorsement or recommendation of that product or service by CPCMG.
Why Childproof Your Home?
Children are curious and love to explore.
Young children like to put things in their mouths.
Most poisonings occur when parents or caregivers are distracted.
When to Childproof Your Home:
As soon as you can, but at least before your infant starts to crawl.
Update childproofing as children get older.
How to Childproof Your Home:
Check floors constantly for small objects that can be dangerous if a child swallows them.
Get down to your child's level and see what is there.
Anything that contains small, choke-size pieces, like toys, games or craft projects need to be moved out of reach.
Dangerous Locations
Trashcans - May have spoiled food, sharp objects, or old batteries.
Garages - may have dangerous chemicals and sharp objects.
Under sinks in bathrooms and kitchens may have dangerous chemicals like cleaning supplies.
Backpacks, Wallets, Bags and Purses may contain small objects or medications.
Playroom toys may have batteries, magnets, and other small objects.
Laundry Rooms, detergent pods can look like toys or candy to children.
Bedrooms may contain small toy or game pieces.
Craft Rooms may contain small items like beads, or hot glue guns.
Gun Safety
Keep guns unloaded and locked in a safe.
Lock up ammunition in a separate location than the guns.
Fire Safety
Create an escape plan in case there is a fire.
Review and practice the plan with your family.
Keep a working fire extinguisher in the kitchen and garage and know how and when to use it.
Place screens around fireplaces, woodstoves, kerosene heaters and other heat sources in your home.
Store matches and lighters out of your child’s reach or in a locked cabinet.
Only use candles when an adult is in the room. Blow out candles if you leave the room or go to sleep.
Smoke Alarms
Install smoke alarms inside every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, in the furnace area and at every level of your home.
Buy alarms with long-life lithium batteries. Change batteries every year.
Test alarms every month to make sure they are working properly.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a toxic gas that has no taste, no color, and no odor.
Carbon Monoxide comes from appliances or heaters that burn gas, oil, wood, propane, or kerosene.
Install carbon monoxide (CO) alarms outside each sleeping area and on each floor of your home.
Fall Prevention:
Never leave your child unattended on a changing table.
Use the safety belt to help prevent falls.
Always keep a hand on your child, even when using the safety belt.
Use a highchair that is sturdy and has a seat belt with a crotch strap.
Keep chairs and stools away from counters and stoves, to keep your child from climbing on them.
Use Safety Gates
Install safety gates at both the top and bottom of stairs when your child is learning to crawl and walk.
Avoid accordion style gates, which can trap an arm or a neck. Instead, use gates firmly mounted to the home's studs.
Use Window Guards
Open windows from the top. A screen is not strong enough to prevent a fall
If you need to open a window from the bottom, use a window guard which will prevent a child from falling out.
Keep all objects away from windows to keep your child from climbing on them.
Prevent Slipping
If you have hardwood floors, do not let your child run around in socks
Place a nonskid bathmat in the bathtub and on the floor.
Carpet stairs. Be sure the carpet is firmly tacked down at the edges.
Electrical Safety
Put safety plugs in all electrical outlets.
Keep electrical cords out of reach and sight.
Replace any cords that are worn, frayed, or damaged.
Never overload outlets.
Cords should run behind furniture and not hang down for children to pull on.
Unplug and store hair dryers, curling irons, and other electrical appliances out of your child’s reach.
Make sure the outlets near water have ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).
Furniture Safety
Check furniture for stability and tip-over risk.
Secure bookshelves, dressers, TVs, and all tall or heavy furniture to the walls.
Pad edges and corners of tables.
Put floor lamps behind other furniture.
Suffocation and Strangulation Prevention
Check the cords in all rooms to make sure they are out of reach. Loose cords can strangle children.
Use cordless window coverings if possible
Tie drapery and blind cords up high, with no loops.
Be careful around plastic bags. Plastic bags can suffocate children.
Be careful around balloons. Children like to bite them, and they can choke or suffocate after swallowing or inhaling the piece of balloon
Do not store toys or other items in plastic bags.
Knot dry-cleaning bags before you throw them away.
Store toys in a box or basket without a lid.
If it has a lid, make sure it has safe hinges that hold the lid open and do not pinch.
A toy chest should also have air holes in case your child gets trapped inside.
Accidental Injury Prevention
Store sharp knives, other sharp utensils, dishwasher detergent, and other cleaning supplies in a locked cabinet.
Keep electrical appliances out of your child’s reach and unplugged when not in use.
Appliance cords should be tucked away so they cannot be reached by a child.
TVs should only be put on furniture that is low, sturdy, and designed to hold them.
Consider removing swinging doors and folding doors until your child is old enough to understand how they work.
Water Safety
Always stay within arm’s reach of your infant or young child when he is in the bathtub.
Never leave your child alone or with another child.
Keep the bathroom door closed when the bathroom is not in use.
Keep the toilet seat cover down and consider using a toilet lid latch.
Use a doorknob cover to keep your child out of the bathroom when you are not there.
Make sure to have a fence at least 4 feet high around all sides of the pool to separate the pool from the house and the rest of the yard.
Always have rescue equipment by the pool.
Learn basic first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
Playground Safety
Make sure home playground equipment is put together correctly, sits on a level surface, and is anchored firmly to the ground.
Make sure there is a soft play space below it in case your child falls down.
Dangerous Items
Baby powder and Talcum Powder can injure an infant’s lungs
If you need to use a powder, use one made with cornstarch. Pour it out carefully and keep the powder away from the baby’s face.
Beads, buttons, coins, pins, and screws.
Refrigerator magnets or products and toys with small or loose magnets.
Button batteries
Found in small remote controls, key fobs, cameras, garage door openers, flameless candles, watches, toys, and hearing aids.
When inhaled or swallowed, these small batteries can cause swift, life-threatening damage to your infant’s digestive track.
Cleaning products
All-purpose cleaners
Bleach
Dishwashing detergent (liquid, powdered, or single-use packets or tablets)
Drain openers and toilet bowl cleaners
Furniture polish
Laundry detergent (liquid, powdered, or single-use packets or tablets)
Never play or handle packets – biting can cause detergent to squirt into the mouth, throat, or eyesSingle-use packets are concentrated, dissolve quickly when wet, and are toxic to lungs, stomach, and eyes.
Nicotine, including e-cigarette refills and cigarettes
Liquid nicotine is hazardous and can be fatal.
Keep all nicotine products, including traditional cigarettes, out of sight and reach of children.
Avoid using or any smoke exposure around your child or any place they play or sleep.
Medicines
Keep all medicines, toiletries, cosmetics, and cleaning supplies out of your child’s reach.
Store these items in locked cabinets.
Make sure all medicines have child-resistant caps on them.
If You Suspect a Poisoning
Call 911 or the Poison Control Hotline 1-800-222-1222
When to Contact Your Healthcare Team:
If you have other questions or concerns.
If you think your child needs to be seen.
This publication was adapted from information from American Academy of Pediatrics Patient Education materials.
Reviewed by: CPCMG Newborn Committee, SC MD | 06/2024