Walls and Floors

• Are walls in good condition, with no peeling or cracking paint?

• Are rugs secured to floors or fitted with anti-slip pads underneath?

Doors and Windows

• Have you installed a finger pinch guard on doors?

• Have you removed the rubber tips from all doorstops or installed one-piece door stops?

• Have you placed doorknob covers on doors so that your toddler won't be able to leave the house?

• Do all glass doors in the house contain decorative markers so they won't be mistaken for open doors?

• Do all sliding doors have childproof locks?

• Are there safety bars or window guards installed on upper story windows?

• Are window blind cords tied with close pins or specially designed cord clips?

Furniture

• Are bookshelves and other furniture secured with wall brackets so they can't be tipped over?

• Is there protective padding on corners of coffee tables, furniture, and countertops that have sharp edges?

• Have you checked that all used or hand-me-down baby equipment hasn't been recalled?

Stairways

• Are there hardware-mounted safety gates at the top and bottom of every stairway?

• Are stairways clear of tripping hazards, such as loose carpeting or toys?

• Have you placed a guard on banisters and railings if your child can fit through the rails?

Heating and Cooling Elements

• Are all radiators and baseboard heaters covered with childproof screens if necessary?

• Have gas fireplaces been secured with a valve cover or key?

• Do all working fireplaces have a screen?

• Have chimneys been cleaned recently?

• Are all electric space heaters at least 3 feet (91 centimeters) from beds, curtains, or anything flammable?

Electrical

• Are unused outlets covered with safety plugs?

• Are all major electrical appliances grounds?

• Are all electrical cords in the house properly insulated (no broken or exposed wiring)?

• Have cords from lamps been bound with twist-ties or special spools designed to hide extra cord?

• Have cord holders been used to keep longer cords fastened against walls?

• Have you checked for and removed other potential electrical fire hazards, such as overloaded electrical sockets and electrical wires running under carpets?

• Are televisions, computers, and stereo equipment positioned against walls?

• Is the VCR locked to prevent your child from putting objects or hand inside the tape slot?

Emergency Equipment and Numbers

• Have you placed a list of emergency phone numbers near each phone in your home?

• Are there fire extinguishers installed on every floor and in the kitchen?

• Do you have an emergency ladder for the upper floors of your home?

• Are there smoke detectors on each floor of your home?

• Have smoke detectors been installed in the hallways between all bedrooms of your home?

• Have you tested all smoke detectors within the last month?

• Have you changed the batteries within the past 6 months?

• If you cook with or heat your home with natural gas or have an attached garage, have you considered installing a carbon monoxide detector in your home?

Kitchen

• Are knives, forks, scissors, and other sharp tools in a drawer with a childproof latch?

• Have you installed a dishwasher lock so your child cant' reach breakable dishes, knives, and other dangerous objects?

• Have you installed a stove lock?

• Have knob protectors been placed on the stove knobs?

• Are chairs and step stools positioned away from the stove?

• Are all pot handles on the stove turned inward or placed on back burners where your child can't reach them?

• Are glass objects and appliances with sharp blades stored out of reach?

• Is the garbage can behind a cabinet door with a childproof latch?

• Are all appliances unplugged when not in use, with cords out of reach?

• Are all vitamin, aspirin, or medicine bottles stored in a high cabinet far from reach?

• Are matches and lighters stored in a locked cabinet?

• Is the cabinet under the sink free of cleaning supplies, bug sprays, dishwasher detergent, and dishwashing liquids?

• Are any bottles containing alcohol stored out of reach?

• Are all plastic garbage bags and sandwich bags stored out of reach?

• Are any cords or wires from wall telephones out of reach?

• Are refrigerator magnets and other small objects out of reach?

• Are childproof latches installed on all cabinet doors?

Child's Room and Bedroom

• Does your baby's changing table have a safety belt?

• Are all painted cribs, bassinets, and high chairs made after 1978?

• Are crib slats less than 2-3/8 inches (6 centimeters) apart?

• Is the crib's headboard and footboard free of large cut outs?

• Is the crib mattress firm and flat?  Does it fit snugly in the crib?

• Are the side rails up on the crib?

• Is the crib free from soft pillows, large stuffed animals, and soft bedding?

• Have any strings or ribbons been clipped off hanging mobiles and crib toys?

• Are strings on crib bumpers 6 inches (15 centimeters) or shorter?

• Are window blind and curtain cords tied with clothes pins or specially designed cord clips?

• Are dressers secured to walls with drawers closed?

• Do the lids on toy chests or toy storage containers have a lid support to keep them from slamming shut? Are all toy chests non-locking?

• Has a window guard been placed on any window that isn't an emergency exit?

• Are any night lights in the room not touching any fabric like bedspreads or curtains?

• Does your child wear flame-retardant sleepwear?

• Have you removed all drawstrings from your child's clothing?

Adult's Bedroom

• Are all medication bottles, coins, scissors, and any other small or sharp objects, out of reach?

• Are window blind and curtain cords tied with clothes pins or specially designed cord clips?

Bathroom

• Is the thermostat on the hot water heater set below 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius)?

• Are razor blades, nails scissors, and other sharp tools stored in a locked cabinet?

• Are childproof latches installed on drawers and cabinet drawers?

• Do the electrical outlets have grounded circuit breakers?

• Are the toilets always left closed? Is there a toilet lid lock on the toilet?

• Are all hair dryers, curling irons, and electric razors unplugged when not in use?

• Are there nonskid pads under loose rugs to hold them securely to the floor?

• Are all prescription and non prescription medications, cosmetics, and cleaners stored in a locked cabinet?

• Are bottles of mouthwash, perfumes, hair dyes, hair sprays, nail and shoe polishes, and nail polish removers stored in a locked cabinet?

Garage and Laundry Area

• Are all tools and supplies used for gardening, automotive, and lawn care stored in a locked cabinet?

• Are all hazardous automotive and gardening products in a locked area?

• Are recycling containers out of reach?

• Are all bleaches, detergents, and any other cleaning products out of reach?

• Are laundry chutes locked with childproof locks?

Outdoors - Backyard - Pool Areas

• Are all walkways and outdoor stairways well lighted?

• Are all walkways clear of toys, objects, or anything blocking a clear path?

• Are all sidewalks and outdoor stairways clear of concrete cracks or missing pieces?

• Are all garbage cans securely covered?

• Are all swing-set parts free from rust, splinters, and sharp edges?

• Are all parts on swing sets or other outdoor equipment securely fastened?

• Is the surface beneath the swing set soft enough?

• Are all outdoor toys put away in a secure, dry place when not in use?

• Is there a climb-proof fencing at least 4 feet (1.2 meters) high on all sides of the pool?  Does the fence have a self-closing gate with childproof lock?

• Have all ladders been removed from an above ground pool when not in use?

Other Safety Issues

• Have you removed any potentially poisonous houseplants?

• Have you instituted a no-smoking rule in your home to protect child from environmental tobacco smoke?

• Have you considered possible health risks from - and if indicated, tested for lead, radon, asbestos, mercury, mold, and carbon monoxide?

• If there are guns in the home, have they been placed in a locked cabinet with the key hidden and ammunition locked separately?

• Do you always supervise your child around pets, especially dogs?

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