Bedrooms

Make your child’s bedroom a safe place for sleeping and for playing. In addition to following the general childproofing guidelines above, consider these ways to keep your child safe in their bedroom:

• At the changing table:
  • Never leave your child unattended.
  • Keep diaper-changing supplies within arms’ reach and keep one hand on your child at all times.
• In the crib:
  • Check with your crib’s manufacturer to make sure it has not been recalled.
  • Use a firm mattress that fits snugly into the crib and fitted sheet.
  • Keep fluffy items like pillows, quilts, and stuffed animals out of the crib. They could cover your child’s face and create a suffocation hazard.
  • Do not leave any bulky items in the crib that your child could use as a step to climb out.
• Keep night-lights away from drapes or bedding where they could start a fire. Use a night-light that does not get hot, even after being on all night.

Bathroom

Take these steps to make your bathroom safe:

• Install no-slip strips on the bottom of the bathtub to prevent falls. Put a cushioned cover over the faucet.
• Close the lid of the toilet when it is not in use. Consider a childproof lid lock.
• Adjust your hot water heater so that water from the faucet is never hotter than 120°F (degrees Fahrenheit) (49°C [degrees Celsius]).
• Keep electrical appliances (eg, hair dryers) unplugged and out of reach when not in use.
• Have an electrician install ground-fault circuit interrupters. These decrease the risk of electrical injury if an electrical appliance is dropped into water.

Kitchen

It is probably best to keep children out of the kitchen, but that may not be possible for many families. Take these steps to keep your child safe in the kitchen:

• Put babies and young children in a highchair or play yard while in the kitchen.
• Install child locks on drawers and cabinets within your child’s reach.
• Keep knives and sharp utensils out of reach.
• Unplug electrical appliances when not in use so your child cannot accidentally turn them on.
• Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove so your child cannot reach them. If you have to walk with hot liquid (eg, a pot of soup), be sure you know where your child is so you do not trip over him.
• Keep a fire extinguisher within reach of your stove.

Garage and Basement

Even if your child does not spend much time in the garage or basement, it is still important to have these areas childproofed.

• Store tools in a safe area that is out of reach.
• If you have an unused freezer or refrigerator, remove the door so your child cannot become trapped inside.
• Do not allow children to play where vehicles might be entering or exiting.
• If you have an automatic garage door opener, keep the opener out of sight and reach. Know where your child is before opening or closing the door.

Yard

Make your yard safe for your children by childproofing your outdoor space:

• If you do not have a fence, teach your child the yard boundaries. An adult should always supervise outdoor play.
• Teach your child to never pick and eat anything from a plant.
• If you use pesticides or fertilizers, do not let your children play in the yard for 48 hours after applying them.
• Do not use a power mower to mow the lawn when young children are around. Never let your child ride on the power mower with you.

Childproofing your home may take some careful planning, but it is a small price to pay to keep your child safe. Take some time to look around your home and evaluate any areas that may need childproofing. And remember—no amount of childproofing can replace the need for adult supervision.