As your baby grows they will naturally want to explore the world around them. Take steps to keep them safe with this child safety checklist.

The Basics

First of all have smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors installed on each floor of your home (second floor for a 2 story home etc.). Check the batteries twice a year.

Keep your heaters and air conditioners in good repair. Have them checked over by a professional before the heating or cooling system sets in. They will catch and potential dangers and help you change filters.

Take a First Aid and CPR class (foster parents are required to do this).

General Room Safety

• When your child starts to get into that good old crawling stage you want to m
• Install covers over the electrical outlets.
• Shorten blind and curtain cords so children can’t reach them. If your blinds or coverings were installed before 2001 replace them or get a retro-fit kit from WindowCoverings.org
• Anchor bookshelves to the wall so climbing children cannot knock them over. Of course continue to encourage your child not to climb the bookshevles.
• Place corner bumpers on tables and fireplaces (you know those hard stones)
• Keep your houseplants out of child’s reach or have a friend or family member house sit them until your child is old enough to know these aren’t their vegetables.
• Don’t have anything near windows where children can climb on it to access the windows.
• Install window guards or locks on the windows in your home to avoid falls.
• Use baby gates to keep baby safe. Keep baby out of off limits rooms such as the kitchen.

Kitchen

• Keep knives and scissors out of reach. Use a knife block waaay back on the counter or install one of those magnets up on the wall faar away.
• Turn handles on pots on the stove in so children can’t grab them.
• Keep appliances unplugged and set back on the counter.

Bathroom

• Put locks on the cabinets and drawers to keep children from access cleaning supplies and medicines.
• Have a separate first aid kit that has a lock on it out of reach of kids.
• Never leave your child alone in the bathroom, or bathtub. A second is all it takes.

Child’s Bedroom

• Position the crib or bed away from the windows. Check those cords and replace or apply a retro-fit kit if necessary.
• For your baby make sure your mattress fits snugly in the crib and keep bedding to a minimum. Instead of piling on the blankets dress baby for the weather.
• Keep pillows out of baby’s crib.
• Keep tabs on recalled toys.

Out and About

• Get help installing your carseat.
• Keep very close tabs on your child when playing in the yard or play grounds.
• Don’t use power tools around your child.

This checklist is not all inclusive. No baby safety checklist is. Conduct your own household walk through to find out things you can do to keep your baby safe.

Baby Care and Safety Items