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Health Library

Walls & Floors, Doors & Windows, Furniture, Stairways: Household Safety Checklist

Walls & Floors

  • Are walls in good condition, with no peeling or cracking paint (which could contain lead in older homes)?
  • Are there any nails in the walls that should be removed?
  • Are mirrors and frames hung securely?
  • Are rugs secured to floors or fitted with anti-slip pads underneath?
  • Are the floors free of clutter?
  • Do your kids wear slippers when on a wooden or slippery floor?

Doors & Windows

  • Have you installed a finger-pinch guard on doors?
  • Have you removed the rubber tips from all door stops 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?
  • Is all furniture placed away from windows?
  • Are there safety bars or window guards installed on upper-story windows?
  • Are there window stops to keep the windows from closing all the way?
  • Are window blind cords tied with clothespins or specially designed cord clips?

Furniture

  • Are bookshelves and other furniture secured to the wall or floor so they can’t be tipped over?
  • Is there protective padding on corners of coffee tables, furniture, and countertops that have sharp edges?
  • Do toy chests and other chests have safety hinges to prevent them from closing?
  • Have you checked that all used or hand-me-down baby equipment hasn’t been recalled?
  • Are flatscreen TVs mounted securely on the wall? Are older, heavy TVs on a low, stable piece of furniture?
  • Are there stops on all removable drawers to prevent them from falling out?
  • Are there safety locks on drawers and cabinets?
  • Are beds and cribs away from windows?

Stairways

  • Are there hardware-mounted safety gates at the top and bottom of every stairway?
  • Do the gates meet current safety standards?
  • 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?
  • Are the railings and banisters secure?
  • Is the door to the basement steps kept locked?
  • Is there enough light in the stairway?