Home Safety Check List
by: Children, Youth & Families Department
This Checklist will help ensure that your home is safer for your child. A "full-house survey" is recommended at least every 6 months. Note that every home is different, and no checklist is complete and appropriate for every child and every household.
Child's Bedroom
Is there a safety belt on the changing table to prevent falls?
Is the baby powder out of baby's reach during diaper changing?
Are changing supplies within your reach when baby is being changed?
Never leave a child unattended on a changing table, even for a moment.
Is there carpet or a nonskid rug beneath the crib and changing table?
Are draperies and blind cords out of the baby's reach from the crib and changing table?
There should be no bumper pads, toys, pillows, and stuffed animals in baby's sleeping area.
Bumper pads, toys, pillows, and stuffed animals should be removed from the crib by the time the baby can pull up to stand. If large enough, these items can be used as a step for climbing out.
Have all crib gyms, hanging toys and decorations been removed from the crib by the time your baby can get up on his hands and knees?
Make sure the crib has no elevated corner posts or decorative cutouts in the end panels. Loose clothing can become snagged on these and strangle baby.
Mattress used for the crib should fit snugly, without any gaps, so child cannot slip in between the crack and the crib side.
The slots on the crib should be no more then 2 3/8 inches apart. Widely spaced slots can trap an infant's head.
To avoid a crib collapsing, check all screws, bolts, and hardware including the mattress supports.
Make sure there are no plastic bags or other plastic materials in or around the crib that might cause suffocation.
Check the crib for small parts and pieces that your child could choke on.
Make sure the night-light is not near or touching drapes or a bedspread where it could start a fire. Buy only "cool" night-lights that do not get hot.
Is there a working smoke detector in or near your child's bedroom?
Make sure that window guards are securely in place to prevent a child from falling out the window. Also, never place a crib, playpen, or other children's furniture near a window.
Are there plug protectors in the unused electrical outlets? Protector's keep children from sticking their fingers or other objects into the holes.
Make sure a toy box does not have a heavy, hinged lid that can trap your child (toy box without a lid is preferred).
To reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), put your baby to sleep on his/her back in a crib with a firm, flat mattress and no soft bedding underneath baby.
Parent's Bedroom
Do not keep a firearm anywhere in the house. If you must, lock up the gun and bullets separately. Lock up the key separately.
Check that there are no prescription drugs, toiletries, or other poisonous substances accessible to young children.
Make sure drapery or blind cords are well out of reach. Children can get tangled in them and become strangled.
Is there a working smoke detector in the hallway outside of the bedroom?
Are there child-resistant safety latches on all cabinets containing potentially harmful substances (cosmetics, medications, mouthwash, cleaning supplies)?
Are there child-resistant caps on all medication, and are all medications stored in their original containers?
Is the temperature of your hot water heater 120ºF or lower to prevent scalding?
Do you need a doorknob cover to prevent your child from going into the bathroom? Install a toilet lock to prevent drowning.
Never leave a child unattended while in the bathroom, especially when they are in the tub.
The Kitchen
Keep sharp knives or other sharp utensils well out of the child's reach (using safety latches or high cabinets).
See that chairs and step stools are away from counters and the stove, where a child could climb up and get hurt.
Use the back burners and make sure pot handles on the stove are pointing inward so your child cannot reach up and grab them.
Make sure automatic dishwasher detergent and other toxic cleaning supplies are stored in their original containers, out of children's reach in child safety latch cabinets.
Keep the toaster and all other electrical appliances unplugged from the wall when not in use and out of your child's reach to prevent burns or electrical injuries.
Keep appliance cords tucked away so that they cannot be tampered with.
Child's feeding high chair should be sturdy and have a working seat belt with a crotch strap.
Kitchen should be equipped with a fire extinguisher. Do all adults and older children know how to operate it?
The Family Room
Are edges and corners of tables padded to prevent injuries?
Are houseplants out of child's reach? Check with your local Poison Control Center for a list of poisonous plants.
Are televisions and other heavy items (lamps) secure so that they cannot tip over?
Are there any unnecessary or frayed extension cords? Cords should run behind furniture and not hang down for children to pull on them.
Is there a barrier around the fireplace or other heating source?
Are the cords from drapes or blinds kept out of your child's reach to prevent strangulation?
Check for plug protectors in unused electrical outlets.
Are matches and lighters out of reach?
Miscellaneous
Are stairs carpeted and protected with non-accordion gates at the bottom or/and top of the staircase?
Are the rooms in your house free from small parts, plastic bags, small toys and balloons that could pose a choking hazard?
Do you have an emergency escape plan for your home? Do you practice the plan regularly?
Does the door to the basement have a self-latching lock?
Do not use baby walker with wheels. Consult the Consumer Product Safety Commission for more information on unsafe children's products.
Are dangerous products stored out of children's reach? Are the products in their original containers and stored in child safety latch cabinets?
Are emergency phone numbers next to the telephone? Poison Control Center, Pediatrician's phone number, etc.
Do the children know how to call 911 in an emergency? Do they know their address?
Playground
Are the swing seats made of a soft durable material, not wood or metal?
Check the depth of surface under all playground equipment; it should be 12 inches deep. Surface should be made of rubber, sand, sawdust, wood chips, or bark. Surface should be maintained weekly.
Is your home playground equipment put together correctly and does it sit on a level surface, anchored firmly to the ground?
Do you check playground equipment for hot metal surfaces such as those on slides that can cause burns? Does your slide face away from the sun?
Are all screws and bolts on your playground equipment capped? Check for loose nuts and bolts periodically. Be sure there are no projecting bolts, nails, or opened "S" hooks.
Do you watch your children when they are using playground equipment to encourage proper behavior?
Never let children play on the playground equipment with dangling drawstrings on any of their clothing.
The Bathroom
Is there a nonskid bath mat on the floor to prevent falls?
Is there a nonskid mat or no-slip strips in the bathtub to prevent falls?
Are the electrical outlets protected with Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters to decrease the risk of electrical injury?
Are medications and cosmetics stored in a locked cabinet well out of children's reach?
Are hair dryers, curling irons, and other electrical appliances unplugged and stored well out of reach?
Swimming Pool / Wading Pool
Do the children know the rules of water and diving safety?
Never leave your child alone in or near the pool, even for a moment.
Install a 4-foot fence around all sides of the pool that cannot be climbed by children and that separates the pool from the house.
Does your fence gate have a self-close latch, with the latches higher than your child's reach?
Does your pool cover completely cover the pool so that your child cannot slip under it?
Do you keep rescue equipment and a telephone near or by the pool?
Does everyone who watches your child around a pool know basic lifesaving techniques and CPR?
Front and Back Yard
Do you use a power mower with a control that stops the mover if the handle is let go?
Never let a child younger than 12 years of age mow the lawn.
Do not allow young children in the yard while you are mowing.
Before you begin to mow the yard, pick up objects such as stones, and toys.
Teach your child to never pick and eat anything in and around the yard that is not given to him by a parent or guardian.
Know what is growing in your yard so, if your child accidentally ingests a plant, you can give the proper information to your local Poison Control Center or 911.
New Mexico Resources
- Children, Youth & Families Department
- Family Nutrition Bureau
- New Mexico Healthy Child Care America Program
- www.newmexicokids.org/hcca
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