Home safety checklist for toddlers and preschoolers

Water safety

• Never leave children unattended in or near water, including: bathrooms, bathtubs, swimming pools, kiddie pools, hot tubs, large bodies of water, buckets, or toilets.
• Secure toilet lids with a lock when not in use.
• Always empty kiddie pools immediately after use.
• Install a child-safe fence or gate around swimming pools and hot tubs.
• Place anti-slip mats in showers and bathtubs to reduce the risk of slipping.

Medication safety

• Store medications out of reach.
• Teach your kids that supplements and medications are not food, even if they resemble candy.
• Choose medications with child-proof lids.

Fire and poison safety

• Install smoke alarms / smoke detectors in: every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of your home, including the basement.
• Regularly check smoke alarm batteries and replace them as needed.
• Create a fire escape plan with your child and practice it together.
• Install fire guards around fireplaces and heaters.
• Keep matches and lighters out of reach.
• Teach your child not to play with fire.
• Keep fire extinguishers on every floor and in the kitchen.
• Install a carbon monoxide detector on every level of your home, preferably near sleeping areas.
• Use child safety locks on cabinets or drawers containing cleaning products or beauty supplies like nail polish remover.
• Save Poison Control's phone number on your phone: (1-800-222-1222).

Electrical cord safety

• Use electrical cord covers to cover unused outlets.
• Repair broken or damaged outlets.
• Keep cords and power strips out of reach.
• Unplug curling irons, hair dryers and electric razors when not in use.

Kitchen safety

• Store knives, scissors, and sharp kitchen tools out of reach.
• Keep electrical appliances out of reach.
• Install child-safe knob covers on stove knobs.
• Place an oven safety lock on the oven.
• Make sure heavy appliances (refrigerator, stove, oven) are secure.
• Use safety latches to lock cabinets and drawers.
• Turn pot handles inward when cooking on the stove or place pots on back burners.

Bedroom safety

• Check if your crib has been recalled by visiting the Consumer Product Safety Commission website.
• Do not use broken or damaged cribs.

Additional home safety tips

• Use a secure safety gate at the top and bottom of stairs.
• Keep cribs, playpens, beds, chairs and other furniture away from windows and window cords.
• Keep window cords out of reach.
• Secure heavy furniture to adjacent walls.
• Use door knob covers or locks that are out of reach to prevent your child from leaving the house unsupervised.
• Keep balloons and plastic bags out of reach.
• Do not allow your child to play with small toys and toys with small parts which are choking hazards.
• Cover sharp edges and corners of furniture.
• Keep houseplants out of reach.
• Lock up lawn mowers and other sharp garden equipment.
• Install window guards to prevent falls.