Trauma Survivors Network | Home Safety for Children and Infants

Bathroom

Never leave children unattended near standing water (to reduce falls and drowning)
Always stay within touch supervision of young children-within an arm’s reach during bath time
Install toilet seat locks; turn over all buckets and store them up high, where they cannot collect standing water or be reached by children

Infant Safety

Install baby gates at the tops and bottoms of stairs
Place furniture, including cribs and playpens, away from the windows to prevent falls
When infants are playing, place them on the floor or in a crib with secured guard rails
When changing an infant’s diaper, always make sure that guard rails are used. If the diaper table comes with a safety strap be sure to secure the infant into the straps before turning away or leaving the child unattended
When buying baby products, follow the instructions for appropriate age group and use Use stationary baby walkers instead of mobile baby walkers Install soft flooring around the child’s crib or bed to lessen the severity of a fall-related injury such as thick carpeting, a pad, or gym mat

Everyday Activities

If your home has a pool, surround it on all sides with installed fencing and a self-latching gate.
Select play equipment that is safe for children.
Discourage active play on outdoor decks, balconies, fire escapes, high porches, and roofs. When possible, remove climbing aids in yards or on balconies (e.g., woodpiles, tree branches, furniture near deck railings).
Cover window wells to prevent children from falling in
Buy your children shoes that will reduce their chances of falling. A good example would be low-cut sneakers with rough, rubber soles

Windows

Install window guards on all windows above the first floor (excluding those that serve as fire emergency exits). Window guards that can be forcefully dislodged from the inside in case of fire are safest.
When using double-hung windows, or windows that can open at the top or the bottom, open them from the top to prevent children from falling out.
Install locks on all other types of windows.
Keep furniture away from windows to prevent children from climbing out.
Do not rely on insect screens to prevent falls. They are designed to keep insects out and are not strong enough to keep children in.
Keep children away from all open windows–with or without screens.

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