{ "slug": "childproofing-your-home", "url": "https://checklists.org/c/childproofing-your-home", "markdown": "https://checklists.org/c/childproofing-your-home.md", "title": "Childproofing Your Home", "description": "A phased checklist for making a home safe for babies and young children, from initial hazard sweeps to ongoing maintenance.", "category": "safety", "tags": [ "childproofing", "home-safety", "baby-safety", "poison-prevention" ], "version": "1.0", "updated": "2026-07-17", "sources": [ { "name": "U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)", "url": "https://www.cpsc.gov" }, { "name": "Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)", "url": "https://www.cdc.gov" }, { "name": "American Academy of Pediatrics / HealthyChildren.org", "url": "https://www.healthychildren.org" }, { "name": "Safe Kids Worldwide", "url": "https://www.safekids.org" } ], "intro": "Childproofing is best done in phases as your child grows more mobile, with regular re-checks as new skills and hazards emerge. This checklist reflects standard, well-established guidance from CPSC, CDC, AAP/HealthyChildren.org, and Safe Kids Worldwide.", "itemCount": 29, "essentialCount": 11, "sections": [ { "title": "Phase 1: Whole-House Hazard Sweep (before baby is mobile)", "items": [ { "id": "qlws1k", "text": "Anchor all tall/heavy furniture and TVs to the wall", "note": "Tip-overs are a leading cause of child death/injury; use anti-tip straps or brackets on dressers, bookcases, and stands.", "essential": true }, { "id": "1d8lxpt", "text": "Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on every level", "note": "Test monthly and replace batteries yearly.", "essential": true }, { "id": "1n4z93g", "text": "Store firearms unloaded, locked, and separate from ammunition", "when": "firearms-in-home", "essential": true }, { "id": "8e7qvi", "text": "Program Poison Control number into every phone", "note": "1-800-222-1222 (US), for use in a suspected poisoning emergency.", "essential": true }, { "id": "8rf7g3", "text": "Lower water heater temperature to 120°F (49°C)", "note": "Prevents scald burns from tap water." }, { "id": "ubyk3x", "text": "Move all medications, vitamins, and supplements to a high, locked cabinet", "note": "Never store in a purse, nightstand, or unlocked cabinet within reach.", "essential": true }, { "id": "1gsw209", "text": "Relocate cleaning products, detergent pods, and chemicals out of reach", "note": "Original bright colors/packaging make pods attractive to toddlers; poisoning risk is severe.", "essential": true }, { "id": "1gznb5u", "text": "Remove or secure corded window blinds", "note": "Install cordless blinds or cord shorteners/cleats; looped cords are a strangulation hazard.", "essential": true }, { "id": "12um8i1", "text": "Check crib, playpen, and any secondhand baby gear against current recall lists", "note": "Verify on cpsc.gov before use." } ] }, { "title": "Phase 2: Room-by-Room Barriers (once baby starts crawling)", "items": [ { "id": "1yj01hk", "text": "Install safety gates at top and bottom of every stairway", "note": "Use hardware-mounted gates at stair tops, never pressure-mounted ones at the top of stairs.", "essential": true }, { "id": "qd1plf", "text": "Cover all unused electrical outlets", "note": "Use sliding-plate covers rather than small plug caps, which are a choking hazard if removed." }, { "id": "15fbo9", "text": "Install cabinet and drawer latches on anything holding sharp, breakable, or toxic items" }, { "id": "7r4nj1", "text": "Secure toilet lids with locks", "note": "Reduces drowning risk for children under 2.", "when": "child-under-2" }, { "id": "id5zm0", "text": "Add corner/edge guards to sharp furniture edges and hearths" }, { "id": "11tekvq", "text": "Move houseplants out of reach", "note": "Check whether any are toxic if chewed.", "when": "toxic-houseplants" }, { "id": "5il7yw", "text": "Store plastic bags, balloons, and small button batteries out of reach", "note": "Button batteries cause severe internal burns within hours if swallowed; treat as a medical emergency.", "essential": true }, { "id": "fydtoz", "text": "Set up a barrier or fencing around pools, hot tubs, and fish ponds", "note": "Self-latching gate at least 4 feet high, fully enclosing the water on all sides; drowning is fast and silent.", "essential": true }, { "id": "1d4kjis", "text": "Remove tablecloths and loose cords that a child could pull", "note": "Items on top can fall." } ] }, { "title": "Phase 3: Kitchen and Bathroom Specifics", "items": [ { "id": "10ntc95", "text": "Turn pot handles inward and use back burners when cooking" }, { "id": "9o05z5", "text": "Lock the oven door and stove knob covers", "note": "Especially with a curious toddler in the kitchen.", "when": "toddler-in-kitchen" }, { "id": "1reuq5f", "text": "Store knives, matches, and lighters in a locked high drawer" }, { "id": "8ppzzj", "text": "Keep a fire extinguisher accessible and know how to use it" }, { "id": "1yegfig", "text": "Store all medicines in child-resistant, locked containers even if labeled child-proof", "note": "\"Child-resistant\" only slows access, it doesn't prevent it.", "essential": true }, { "id": "519sst", "text": "Empty bath water immediately after use", "note": "Never leave a child unattended in or near any standing water, even briefly." } ] }, { "title": "Phase 4: Ongoing Maintenance", "items": [ { "id": "13xxdrv", "text": "Re-walk the home at each new mobility milestone (rolling, crawling, walking, climbing)", "note": "Hazards change as reach and skill grow." }, { "id": "1r8gp4v", "text": "Recheck all safety devices monthly for wear, loose screws, or bypassed latches" }, { "id": "hl8xv6", "text": "Sign up for CPSC recall alerts for cribs, furniture, and toys" }, { "id": "63a8ty", "text": "Teach older children in the home to keep small toys, medications, and choking hazards out of a younger sibling's reach" }, { "id": "1v8wf96", "text": "Review and update emergency contacts, including poison control and pediatrician, posted somewhere visible" } ] } ] }