November is National Child Safety and Protection Month. Data shows that accidental injury is the leading cause of death in children less than 14 years old, with over 30% of those injuries occurring in the home.

Some of the most common home-related injuries, and where they happen, include:

• Burns – in the kitchen or at the barbeque grill
• Suffocation – in an unsafe sleep environment, foods (i.e., hot dogs, grapes), small items (i.e., batteries, coins), and items that can strangle or entrap
• Drowning – in the bathroom, kitchen, swimming pools, or hot tubs
• Cuts – in the kitchen, garage, or garden shed
• Falls – on stairs, from high windows, or from tipping furniture
• Poisoning – under the kitchen sink, in the garage or garden shed, the bathroom medicine cabinet, or anywhere medicines are stored (such as a purse or car console)

As much as a parent thinks that they’ll be able to always watch their young children closely, even with the best preparedness and intentions it only takes a few seconds for an inquisitive baby or toddler to put themselves in an unsafe situation. Accidents do happen, even when precautions are taken, so being prepared to react calmly and quickly can help minimize the severity of any injury.

To provide a safe home environment and reduce the risk of injury to children (and grandchildren) it’s important to look for and address potential safety risks in all areas of the home – inside and out. For homes with infants and toddlers, try to look at the world from their perspective. Spend some time crawling around on your hands and knees and try to find anything that could cause an injury. If you have older children, you could even involve them in a challenge to help you find potential hazards with prizes or rewards for their input!

The following checklists for each area of a home can help your awareness of potential hazards and options to prevent them:   

General:

• Keep an “emergency contact” list for your pediatricians, doctors, poison-control center, neighbors, and close relatives. While it’s relatively easy to find these on your cell phone, a printed list prominently located will be easily available to you or others who may be watching your children.
• Learn CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and the age-appropriate Heimlich maneuver.
• Purchase or assemble a first-aid kit with a supply of bandages, tape, gauze, antibiotic cream, antihistamines, and any specific emergency instructions someone might need.
• Confirm the placement of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in the proper locations throughout the home and, depending on their type, change the batteries regularly.
• Have a working fire extinguisher available and make sure you know how to use it.

Kitchen:

• Childproof latches that secure doors and drawers automatically when closed
• All knives, forks, scissors, and other sharp tools stored in a latched drawer
• Dishwasher lock to prevent opening and access to dangerous objects
• Oven-door lock and stove-knob protectors
• Anti-tip bracket installed on the range
• Locate chairs and stepstools away from the stove
• When stovetop cooking, use the back burners or turn pot handles away from kids’ reach
• Glass objects stored out of reach
• Countertop appliances and cords out of reach
• Garbage kept in a cabinet or other childproof location
• Under-sink cleaning supplies and other unsafe products in a childproof cabinet
• Plastic bags stored out of reach or in a childproof cabinet or closet
• Refrigerator magnets or other small items out of reach
• Working fire extinguisher located in a childproof but accessible location
• Tables free of tablecloths within a child’s reach
• Highchair equipped with a safety belt and strap between legs

Child's Room/Bedroom:

•      Safety belt on the baby's changing table
•      Crib slats less than 2-3/8” apart
•      Crib hardware secure and free from sharp edges
•      Crib mattress properly sized (no gaps around edges)
•      Crib free of a “drop-side”
•      Crib free of pillows, bumper pads, stuffed animals
•      Hanging mobiles with string or ribbons out of reach
•      Cordless window treatments (or cords secured out of reach)
•    Electric cords >3’ away from the crib
•      Dresser equipped with an anti-tip device
•      Non-locking toy chest with slam-proof lid
•      All nightlights clear of bedspreads or curtains
•      Flame-retardant sleepwear with no drawstrings

Bathroom:

•      Water heater set below 120°F
•      Childproof latches on all drawers and cabinets
•      Razors, scissors, and other sharp objects stored out of reach
•      Medications, cosmetics, cleaners, nail polishes, and other toxic materials out of reach and stored in a childproof cabinet or drawer
•      GFCI protection on all outlets
•      Toilet-lid lock and always left closed when not in use
•      Hair dryers, curling irons, and electric razors unplugged and stored securely when not in use
•      Nonskid bottom of shower and bathtub

Garage & Laundry Area:

•      Tools and supplies used for cleaning, auto maintenance, pool care, gardening, and lawn work stored out of reach or in a secured location
•      Garbage and recycling bins covered and secured
•      Bleaches, detergents, and other cleaning products in their original containers and stored in a locked cabinet
•      Laundry detergent pods out of reach and out of sight
•      Clothes washer and dryer doors kept closed when not in use

Walls & Floors:

•      No peeling or cracking paint on walls
•      No nails or other sharp or removable hardware within reach
•    Mirrors and frames out of reach

Doors & Windows:

•      Doors equipped with finger-pinch guards
•      One-piece door stops (or rubber tip removed)
•      Doorknob covers on doors you don’t want your child to enter or exit
•      Childproof locks on sliding doors
•      Decals on glass doors
•      Furniture located away from windows
•      Safety guards on upper-story windows
•      Window blinds and curtains free of cords or cords secured out of reach

Furniture:

•      Bookshelves and other furniture equipped with an anti-tip device
•      Protective padding on corners of coffee tables
•      Hand-me-down toys and equipment confirmed for no recalls
•      TV’s mounted securely to the wall
•      Childproof drawers with stops to prevent drawers from falling out, free of hazardous objects

Stairways:

•      Approved and mounted safety gates at the top and bottom of every stairway
•      Stairs free of loose carpeting or objects
•      Balusters on stairway guards with less than 4” spacing
•      Railings and balusters secure

Electrical:

•      All unused outlets covered with safety plugs
•      Cord holders to keep longer cords fastened to walls
•      Extension cords not a tripping hazard and unplugged when not in use

Heating & Cooling Elements:

•      All radiators and baseboard heaters covered with childproof screens
•      Gas fireplace valves and switches secured or out of reach
•      Fireplace screen or barrier in place
•      Electric space heaters >3’ from beds, curtains, or flammable materials

Outdoors/Backyard/Pool:

•      Walkways and outdoor stairways well lit
•      Stairway risers closed to prevent entrapment or falls
•      Sidewalks and walkways free of major heaving cracks or tripping hazards
•      Swing sets free of sharp edges, rust, or splintering wood
•      Swings, slides, and other equipment securely fastened
•      Softened ground below swings (i.e., sand, mulch, rubber mats) to absorb the shock of a fall
•      Min. 5’ climb-proof fencing surrounding the pool
•      Pool access with a self-closing gate and childproof lock
•      Alarm on door accessing pool from the house
•      Ladders removed from above-ground pools when not in use

Other Safety Issues:

•      Checked, confirmed, and removed any poisonous houseplants
•      No smoking rule to protect your kids from secondhand smoke
•      Testing and required mitigation for radon, lead, asbestos, mold, and other air quality issues
•      Guns kept in a locked cabinet, separate from the ammunition

A Home Maintenance Inspection can help identify safety hazards in the home and provide a strategy for confirming a safe home environment for your family.