Injury
Prevention
Child Proofing Your Home
Birth – 3 months


In Crib:
  1. Use a crib that meets current safety standards, with bars no more
    than 2-3/8” apart so baby can’t get head stuck.
  2. Keep sides up to prevent falls. Drop sides should only lower
    partway, with double action latch for safety.
  3. Use a firm mattress that fits snugly so baby can’t slip between it
    and sides. Use bumper guards, but no pillow or harness.
 

In Carriage:
  1. Check often to see that baby’s face is not covered with blankets,
    clothing or anything that could suffocate.
  2. Keep carriage free of pins, buttons and plastic bags that baby
    could grab and put in mouth or over face.
  3. Fasten hanging toys and mobiles firmly so baby can’t pull down
    strings and get them caught around neck.
 


In Bassinet/Bath/ Infant
Seat:
  1. Keep hand on baby when dressing and bathing. Never change
    baby with open safety pins in mouth. Pins could fall in baby’s
    mouth.
  2. Check bath water temperature with elbow or thermometer.
  3. To prevent burns or shock make sure no electrical units are
    nearby.
  4. Never put baby in seat on high surface, unless you’re with baby,
    because seat can fall or tip over.
 

While Baby is Being Fed:
  1. Hold baby. Avoid propping bottle because baby can spit up or
    inhale liquids. Use 1-piece, sturdy pacifier on short cord.
  2. Check that nipple isn’t too large, soft or torn because baby might
    get too much liquid too fast. See that liquids aren’t too hot.
  3. Never feed baby in bed because you may fall asleep, roll over
    and injure baby. Never smoke near baby.
4 – 6 Months


In Playpen:
  1. Use wooden one with smooth slats close together or mesh one
    with small holes and metal locks on outside. Pad sides and bottom.
  2. Avoid tying toys to sides because baby can grab or get entangled
    on tapes or strings. Check for sharp edges and loose screws.
  3. Keep at least 2 feet away from objects like glass, and units like
    stoves, that baby can reach. Put where you can always see.
 

In Kitchen:
  1. Keep appliance cords out of reach and hot foods and liquids in
    center of table so baby can’t pull them down and get burned.
  2. Read labels of products under sink and low shelves. Put any that
    are poisonous out of reach.
  3. Never let baby crawl around while cooking or serving. Use a firmly
    attached safety gate to keep baby out of kitchen area.
 

Near Stairs/Heaters/
Outlets:
  1. Place safety gates with vertical slats or plastic mesh on top and
    bottom of stairs so baby can’t crawl up or down.
  2. Put safety guards, screens or insulation around heaters, radiators
    and fireplaces. Secure them so they can’t be pulled down.
  3. Install safety caps or plugs on all electrical outlets so baby can’t
    stick fingers or metal objects inside.
 

Around Playthings:
  1. Use only nonflammable, washable, nonbreakable toys painted
    with lead-free paint. Read package to see if age-appropriate.
  2. Make sure there are no rough or sharp edges, points or
    protrusion.
  3. See that there are no small parts to remove and swallow, inhale or
    put in nose or ear. Never give child an uninflated balloon.
7 – 11 Months

Around Furniture:
  1. Remove long drape cords and tablecloths that baby can pull, and
    move objects on shelves and drawers out of reach.
  2. Keep pails of water off floor so baby doesn’t fall into them.
  3. Keep electrical appliances off floor so baby won’t handle.
  4. Have home inspected for lead-based paint, esp. if built before
    1978. Wash floors and windowsills weekly.
 

In High Chair/Car Seat
  1. Select high chair with a wide base that won’t tip easily and fall
    over if baby rocks or moves.
  2. Lock folding mechanism carefully so chair doesn’t collapse when
    baby leans, climbs or rocks.
  3. Use straps or safety harness to secure baby in chair or car seat.
    Make sure car seat is for baby’s age and weight.
 

In Kitchen:
  1. Avoid feeding nuts, raw vegetables, foods with seeds and bones
    and big pieces until 4 years old.
  2. Use only unbreakable glasses and bottles for baby.
  3. Watch that baby doesn’t climb to reach handles of pots on stoves.
    Turn handles toward back of stove.
  4. Never leave baby unattended.
1 – 3 Years

With toys
  1. Buy battery-operated, not plug-ins. Avoid toy chest for child under
    3-lids, corners and hinges pose dangers.
  2. See that wooden toys are screwed together, not nailed or glued.
    Fix broken toys or discard when broken.
  3. Check that there are no small removable pieces or exposed pins,
    wires, nails or holes to catch hair, fingers or toes.
 


Near Fire Hazards:
  1. Keep child away from matches, lighters and open fires.
  2. Buy flame-resistant nightwear, clothing and fabrics for furnishings.
  3. Keep flammable objects at least 3 feet away from heat-generating
    sources, e.g. heating or cooking units.
  4. Store oily rags, barbecue charcoal and flammable liquids in
    labeled metal container with tight lid, in cool, dry place.
 


Near Poisons:
  1. Check house for toxic products and plants and keep them out of
    reach. Keep drugs in child-resistant containers.
  2. Never store toxins near food or utensils for preparing food or
    medicines.
  3. Never transfer toxins to another container without labeling.
 


Around Doors/ Windows:
  1. Put locks or safety latches on doors leading to stairs, swimming
    pools, driveways and storage areas. Use safety glass with decals
    for glass doors.
  2. Be sure all windows have a lockable safety catch and are always
    locked. (Screens won’t keep a child from falling out a window.)
  3. On all upper floors install child-safety bars that can be removed in
    case of fire.
4 – 6 Years

Around Pets:
  1. Never let child tease pet, hold face close to its mouth, pull tail,
    take away food or toy or overexcite.
  2. Avoid letting child give food to pet unless child is used to animals.
    After playing with pet, make sure child washes hands thoroughly
    before eating.
  3. Teach child to avoid strange animals and always ask pet owner if
    it’s OK to pet any animal before doing so.
 

Around Sharp
Objects/Cutting Tools :
  1. Tell child not to run when carrying scissors and to carry them
    away from body and turn them around when handing them over.
  2. Never leave used razor blades, broken glass or can lids in indoor
    trashcans. Wrap these items and discard outside.
  3. Keep play areas free of sharp items and glass. Never let a child
    play with cutting tools or sharp objects.
 

On Steps/Floors/ Bathtub:
  1. Keep steps free of clutter and well lit so child doesn’t trip.
  2. See that polished and waxed floors are not too slippery.
  3. Secure rugs so child won’t trip.
  4. Put handrails or treads on steps and mats or strips in bathtub to
    keep child from slipping
Poison Prevent


Kitchen
  1. Are all medicines and cleaning products in their original
    containers with original labels?
  2. Is medication put away after use, and not left out on a counter top?
  3. Are household products that are in low cabinets guarded with
    safety latches or locks?
 


Bathroom
  1. Are bathroom cleaners, cosmetics and toiletries out of reach or
    locked up?
  2. Is medication kept in child-proof containers?
  3. Do you periodically clean out your cabinet of old and unused
    medications? (Flush pills and liquids down the toilet – DO NOT
    toss them into a garbage pail where a child can get them.)
 


Laundry Room, Garage:
  1. Are soaps, bleaches, detergents, drain cleaners, and diaper pail
    deodorizers kept on a high shelf at all times?
  2. Do you thoroughly rinse out fabric softener and bleach bottles
    before tossing them into the trash?
  3. Are pesticides, anti-freezes, charcoal lighter fluid, paint, paint
    thinner, gasoline, oil and other poisonous products kept in their
    original containers and stored out of reach?
 



Living Room, Bedroom:
  1. Is liquor locked up? Are alcoholic drinks kept out of reach?
  2. Have you checked all your houseplants to be sure they are not
    the toxic variety?
  3. Are matches, lighters and tobacco stored away?
  4. Are ashtrays kept clean?
  5. Are walls in good shape – with no peeling paint in evidence?
  6. Do you make it a point to keep medications and contraceptives off
    the bedroom nightstand and stored in a high cabinet?