Household child safety check-list

Born to Love offers these tips on making your home safer for your little one(s). Print it off and take a walk through your house.

Living Room:

[ ] Unused Electric Outlets: Shield them from baby's curious fingers with Safety Plugs, Safe Sockets, Shock Preventors, Switch Locks and/or Shockblockers.

[ ] Long Electrical Cords: Can trip people. Keep cords as short as possible. Long cords should be made safer with Cord Short'ners and/or Cord Holders.

[ ] All Electrical Cords: Must be kept well hidden and away from travelled areas, doorways or passageways. Use Cord Holders to fasten against the wall.

[ ] Furniture: Especially small pieces, should be arranged with baby's safety in mind.

[ ] Worn Rugs or Frayed Carpet Edges: Need to be repaired. Curling edges should be fastened down with carpet tape or Velcro(R) Buttons.

[ ] All Small Rugs: Require non-skid backings

[ ] Glass Doors: Apply decals or decorations to make them easy to see, so family and guests will not mistake them for open doors. Use Sliding Door locks to keep you child safely inside.

[ ] Window Blinds: Keep dangerous dangling window blind cords out of reach with Cord Wind-Ups.

[ ] Windows: Keep your children safely inside, or from hurting fingers from falling windows with Window Locks

[ ] VCR: Child-proof your VCR with a VCR Lock or Guard.

[ ] Sharp Edges on Furniture: Should be covered with Corner Cushions.

[ ] Cabinets: Secure them with Velcro(R) Quik Locks, or Cabinet and Door Locks.

[ ] Toys, Books and Magazines: Keep them picked up.

Stairways:

[ ] Lights: Stairs should be kept well lighted with switches at both top and bottom. Use a Light Switch Extender to make it easy for your child to reach.

[ ] Sturdy Handrails: A must for all steps and stairs.

[ ] Treads, Risers and Carpeting: Keep in good repair. No torn coverings or nails sticking out to jab a foot.

[ ] Storage: Nothing should be stored on the stairways, even temporarily. Avoid clutter of any kind on stairs.

Bedrooms:

[ ] A Lamp: Should be placed well within reach of the parent's bed. Place out of reach in a baby's bedroom.

[ ] Clothing and Shoes: Hang up clothing and keep shoes on a shoe rack - not beside the bed.

[ ] Night Lights: Place an Auto-Sensor Night Light in rooms of children or elderly.

[ ] Toys, Games and Books: Should be kept in their proper places.

[ ] Exits and Passageways: Must be kept clear of furniture, boxes or other obstructions.

[ ] Rugs: Require non-skid backings.

[ ] Electrical Outlets: Cover all outlets with Safety Plugs, Safe Socket, shock preventors, Switch Locks and/or Shockblockers.

[ ] Diaper Pails: Use a locking diaper pail. Do not soak diapers in liquid, in baby's room.

BATHROOMS:

[ ] Electrical Appliances: While bathing or washing in the skin, keep plugged-in electrical appliances away from you and the water.

[ ] Electrical Appliances: Place Plug Locks on the plugs of all loose plugs to prevent child from using.

[ ] Tubs and Showers: Safer with non-skid mats and abrasive strips.

[ ] Handrails: Should be installed in the wall over the tub.

[ ] Tub Knobs: Protect child from bumps or turning on hot water with Tub Knob Covers.

[ ] Bath Toys: Place toys in a Bath Toy Bag, attached to wall of tub.

[ ] Spills: Lotion and other liquid spills must be wiped up immediately.

[ ] Use non-slip rugs and mats.

[ ] Medicines: Should be clearly labelled. Always read labels.

[ ] Medicine: Must be kept out of children's reach in cabinets locked with Cabinet Latches..

[ ] Keep Bathroom Door closed.

[ ] Toilet Seat and Cover: Keep down and secure with Velcro(R) Quik Locks or Toilet Lock or Clamp.

[ ] Bathwater: Check temperature.

[ ] Bathtub Water Spout: Cover with a Sof'Spout or Safety Bear spout cover.

[ ] Never leave baby unattended in the bathroom.

KITCHEN:

[ ] Oven Door: Should be open before turning on gas to light it, if manually. Use an Oven Lock on the oven door and microwave to keep children out.

[ ] Dry Hands Well: Before operating any electrical appliance. Shorten electrical cords with Cord Short'ners.

[ ] Pan Handles: Turn handles away from front of stove, but not over another burner! Place a Stove Guard or Protector across front of stove.

[ ] Stove Knobs: Remove stove knobs and store out of child's reach, or cover with Stove Knob Protectors.

[ ] Potholders: Use them when necessary. Keep them dry, because wet ones get hot faster.

[ ] Steam: Shield yourself, removing pan lids by lifting the far side first.

[ ] Good, Even Lighting: At stove, sink and countertop, especially where you chop food, is a must.

[ ] Climbing: Use only safe step stool or utility ladders - never chairs.

[ ] Sharp Knives: Should have their own special racks or compartments. Use Cabinet and Door Latches.

[ ] Knives: Never place in soapy dishpan - wash separately.

[ ] Spills: Wipe them up immediately.

[ ] Large or Heavy Appliances: Store on low shelves; lighter items on higher shelves.

[ ] Household Cleaners, Disinfectants and Insecticides: Store in original containers, in a locked cabinet away from children. Use bright poison labels. Better yet, buy less toxic alternatives.

[ ] Waxing: Buff wax thoroughly or use self-polishing or non-skid wax.

[ ] Oven and Boiler Pans: Keep clean and grease-free.

[ ] Kitchen Matches: Store in closed metal containers.

[ ] Refrigerators, Oven and Cabinets: Use Velcro(R) Quik Locks, Cabinet and Door Latches, Victor's Appliance Latch or Oven Locks.

GARAGE/WORKSHOP:

[ ] Good Air Circulation: Important, especially if working with solvents, paints, etc.

[ ] Paint Thinners and Solvents: Store in metal cans. Glass jars may shatter.

[ ] Versatile Lighting: Should provide ample illumination for all jobs.