Playing it safe

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Nursery

• Make sure your crib has less than 2 and 3/8 inches between the slats and that the crib mattress fits snugly, allowing no more than two fingers’ space between the mattress and the crib railings.

• Lower the crib when baby can sit up without help.

• Don’t place the crib or other children’s furniture in front of a window.

• Make sure all blind cords are out of baby’s reach.

• Choose a changing table/pad with a safety belt; never leave baby unsecured on any other raised surface.

• Remove hanging toys, including mobiles, by the time baby can get up on his hands and knees.

• Don’t place wall hangings above the crib if there’s a chance it could fall in.

• Make sure there are no plastic bags or other plastic material in or around the crib.

• Place a smoke detector in or near your child’s bedroom.

• Cover all electrical outlets.

• Place baby on his back to sleep to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

Bathrooms

• Adjust water temperature on the water heater to 120° or less.

• Always check baby’s bath water before putting baby in it.

• Use rubber slip-proof mats in the tub and on the floor to avoid falls.

• Never leave babies or young children alone in water.

• Keep toilet lids closed. Toilet locks are available. Or keep the doors closed and use a doorknob cover.

• Keep electrical appliances unplugged when not using and out of a child’s reach.

• Store medicines, including vitamins, out of a child’s reach. Lock them in a cabinet if possible with child-resistant caps.

• Put safety locks on all cabinets that contain potentially harmful substances, such as cleaners, medications, etc.

Kitchen

• Store potentially dangerous materials (e.g., cleaning supplies) out of a child’s reach in locked cabinets (away from food).

• Keep knives and other sharp objects, as well as appliance (e.g., toasters) out of a child’s reach.

• Keep your dishwasher latched.

• Keep hot foods and drinks away from the edge of counters and tables.

• Make sure chairs and step stools are away from counters and stoves.

• Avoid using tablecloths that can be pulled down.

• Use backburners on the stove whenever possible, and turn pot handles toward the back of the stove.

• Make sure your highchair is difficult to rock and has a safety belt.

General

• Consider using doorknob covers to prevent children from entering certain rooms or the garage/basement.

• Cover corners and sharp edges if possible.

• Use baby gates to block stairways.

• Cover all electrical outlets.

• Keep electrical cords out of a child’s reach; check and replace cords that are frayed.

• Keep small objects out of baby’s reach. If an item will fit into a toilet paper roll, it poses a choking hazard.

• Keep plants out of a child’s reach.

• Program numbers for Poison Control and other emergency services in your phone or post near the phone.

• Make sure your house has no lead paint.

• Keep matches and lighters out of a child’s reach.

• Keep space heaters out of a child’s reach.

• Install smoke detectors throughout your home and check them regularly to ensure they’re working.

• Make sure you have two unobstructed ways to get out of your house or apartment.

• Make sure any pools are covered and fenced, and never leave a child alone in or near a pool.

• Secure large televisions, bookcases and other large items that could tip over.

• Repair or throw away broken toys.