Children are, by nature, curious. Curiosity is a normal and healthy part of childhood, contributing to the learning process. Having a home that can be safely explored contributes to the healthy development of a young child. As adults, it is important to create and maintain a safe environment for children to avoid hazardous situations. Begin childproofing your home by conducting a hazard assessment. Consider conducting the assessment on your hands and knees to mimic how your child views the world. As your child grows, periodically reevaluate your home for hazards.

Safe Home Checklist

• Position safety gates to block access to stairs and other dangerous areas.
• Keep window covering cords out of children’s reach by adjusting to their shortest length. Do not position cribs and beds within reach of windows or window treatments.
• Make sure that painted walls, furniture and toys are painted with lead-free paint. If furniture has paint that is peeling, remove the furniture from the home until the child is older.
• Set the hot water heater at a maximum of 120 degrees F. It only takes 2 seconds for a scald to occur if the water is 140 degrees F.
• Make sure all outlets have safety covers.
• Install locks to prevent sliding windows from opening wide enough for a child to fit through. Do not rely on screens to prevent a child from falling through the window opening.
• Do not use a toy chest unless it has a lid support to hold the lid open in any position. Make sure the toy box or chest has ventilation holes.
• Do not use tablecloths on lamp tables or dining tables. Accidents can happen causing heavy objects to fall or hot liquids to spill onto the child.
• Use safety latches on cabinets and drawers where medicines or hazardous household products are stored.
• Keep all medicines, including vitamins and mineral supplements, in child-resistant containers.
• Store hazardous products in their original containers with original labels.
• Remove choking hazards by keeping small items such as coins, pins, marbles, tacks, buttons or small batteries out of children’s reach.
• Do not allow children under age 3 to play with balloons due to suffocation hazard.
• Remove poisonous plants from your home. The following indoor plants are poisonous: amaryllis, caladium, English ivy, dieffenbachia, peace lily, philodendron and pothos/devil’s ivy. For more information about poisonous plants go to www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/poison/poison.htm.