Take the Home Environmental Challenge

Kids and parents can visit EB Monkey's Safety House for an interactive website on home safety!

Another interactive website allows children to learn about fire and home safety through the on-line game, The Great Escape.  With Mrs. Aboutfire's help your child will help Fire Lobster choose the safest way to escape from the fire. 

Home Safety Checklist

Most injuries occur at home and most are preventable. This checklist will help you to childproof your home. The best way to check your house is to get down on the floor so you can see your home from your child’s perspective.

Throughout the House

• Remove or secure bi-fold doors
• Place cigarettes, lighters and ashtrays out of reach
• Place all handbags, purses, and briefcases out of reach
• Place carbon monoxide and smoke detectors near bedrooms
• Place smoke detectors in every child’s room
• Provide nightlights in hallways
• Make sure pathways are clear of clutter
• Put decals on glass and screen doors so that no one walks into them
• Install a safety gate at the top and bottom of stairways

Kitchen

• Install safety latches on all cupboards and drawers
• Place all sharp objects out of reach or lock away
• Store small appliances unplugged and out of reach
• Keep children away from hot oven doors and stove elements
• Store plastic bags, clear plastic wrap, and packages with sharp edges out of reach
• Put tablecloths away, use placemats instead
• Place harmful items in upper cupboards out of child’s reach
• When child is old enough, go over danger symbols to prevent injuries
• Keep pet dishes out of the children’s play area
• Place cooking pots and pans on the back burners, keep handles turned in
• Stir and test foods and beverages warmed in the microwave or stove before giving them to children
• Select a high chair with a stable base and safety belt
• Mount a fire extinguisher near kitchen exit, away from the stove
• Never store household cleaning products and other harmful items in low cabinets
• Place garbage cans out of reach, use locking lids
• Put important phone numbers by the phone and on the fridge

Bedrooms

• Never use bumper pads
• Place mobiles out of reach
• Place diaper pail and changing supplies out of reach; use locking lids
• Only use nursery furniture which meets government standards. Follow
• Instructions while putting it together.
• Place the crib, bed, or playpen well away from other furniture, windows and doors and remove wheels
• Babies should always be supervised with toys and bottles. Never let a baby sleep with a bottle
• Remove the crib gym once a baby can push up on all fours
• Window and blind cords must be secured and out of reach of children, they can strangle your child

Living Room

• Fasten reclining chairs so that the footrest can not be raised
• Remove or secure furniture that may fall over
• Remove heavy or breakable objects from tables
• Remove standing lamps or put them behind furniture
• Arrange shelving with the heaviest items on the bottom
• Store newspapers, flyers and magazines out of reach, some ink is toxic
• Block access to wood burning stoves and fireplaces
• Store all fireplaces utensils out of reach
• Secure pictures, and mirrors to the walls
• Ensure railings are secure

Bathrooms

• LOCK UP ALL MEDICATIONS, vitamins and household cleaners and keep them out of reach
• Remove or lock away all sharp objects (nail files, scissors, RAZORS, ETC.)
• Store electrical items out of reach
• Use a non-skid rug on the floor
• Place slip resistant decals on the floor of the tub
• Ensure that the thermostat on the hot water tank is turned down below 120 F or 49 C
• Test bathwater on your wrist or elbow before bathing your child
• Ensure that towel bars are anchored firmly to the walls
• Use only plastic bathroom accessories
• Do not use toilet bowl disinfectants that stay in the tank
• Keep the lid of the toilet closed
• Clean out the medicine cabinet every few months, and safely dispose of unneeded medicines
• Keep bathroom door closed when not in use

Garage/Basement

• Teach your children to stay away from lawnmowers and snow blowers
• Securely lock or remove the door from an unused fridge, dryer, or freezer
• Keep motor vehicles locked at all times
• Keep garage doors and side doors locked
• Ensure stairways are clear from clutter
• Keep basement doors closed or locked
• Store paint and supplies out of reach
• Laundry rooms, workshops, attics and garages should be locked with a deadbolt at five feet or higher
• Store all woodworking, hobby, gardening tools and supplies out of reach
• Store all power tools unplugged, with bits and blades removed
• Secure the ironing board and iron so that they won’t fall down
• Place the kitty litter box out of reach
• Place wall mounted garage door openers out of reach
• It is best to keep guns out of the house. Lock away guns and ammunition in a regular gun cabinet with two separate, locked compartments

Yard

• Routinely check for and remove glass, metal, sharp sticks, insects or animal nests and collections of water
• Remove animal feces, toadstools, and mushrooms
• Cover the sandbox when not in use
• Place potentially poisonous plants away from the play area
• Ensure children are supervised when playing outdoors
• Supervise any child playing with pets at all times
• Ensure swing sets and play equipment are safe, in good condition and not placed on a hard surface
• Ensure pool gates are locked
• Empty water from kiddie pools after each use
• Make sure storage sheds are secure and locked

Congratulations!!!

You have completed the first step in childproofing your home. However, childproofing your home is an ongoing process related to the age and stage of your child. Continue to check your home for unsafe areas every month. To ensure the safety of your child, use this Home Safety Checklist in other environments; the babysitters’, relatives’ or friends’ homes.