Here is a list of suggestions for you when safeguarding you home for baby. Alwayshave adult supervision for your child. Try getting down on your hands and knees andthink like a child to see what other safety precautions you can take in your home.

Bathroom:

• Be sure to keep the bathroom door closed and the toilet seat cover down.
• Install a seat cover lock.
• Use non-skid mats in the tub.
• Use a rubber bottom mat on the bathroom floor.
• Be sure that all medications, cosmetics & cleaning supplies are stored out of reach.
• Don’t keep hair dryers, electric razors, etc. plugged in when not in use.

General:

• Cover all electrical outlets with safety plugs.
• Keep appliances out of reach and use cord shorteners.
• Be sure to have smoke alarms on every floor of your home.
• Test them at the start of each season.
• Don’t leave furniture or anything that can be climbed upon near windows.
• Ensure that windows are in good repair and that your child cannot push out of the window.
• Use safety doorknob covers on all the doors you don’t want your child to open.
• Attach a bell to the door so you can hear when it does open.
• Know about all of your house and garden plants. Many common plants are poisonous or can cause diarrhea or vomiting.

Kitchen:

• Put child proof latches on all cupboards and drawers containing knives, tools, cutlery, heavy cans, or cleaners.
• Use unbreakable dishes for your child’s food.
• Have a fire extinguisher in the kitchen.
• Keep anything that your child can climb on away from counters and stoves.
• Cook on the back elements whenever possible and always keep pot handles turned in.
• Keep your child out of the kitchen, or in a playpen or high chair while you are cooking and preparing meals.
• Do not use tablecloths that a child can grab and pull off of the table.
• Keep plastic wraps and bags out of reach.

Stairs:

• Put mounted gates at the top and bottom of all stairs.
• Never use the old, accordian-style gates, as they aren’t safe.
• Never leave anything on the stairs that you can trip on while carrying your baby.

Living Room:

• Decals placed at a child’s eye level on sliding glass doors can help warn them when doors are closed.
• Buy a special guard to keep patio door locked - this will also prevent unwanted entry from outside.
• Remove lids on toy boxes, or make sure there is ventilation just in case.
• Remove coffee tables with sharp corners or use padding.
• Mount shelving units to the wall, so they can’t tip if pulled on.
• Cover your fireplace.
• Use a power strip safety cover, and put clear plastic guards on your DVD players, VCRs, etc. to stop babies from pushing buttons or inserting foreign objects.

Nursery:

• Be sure that playpens and cribs meet safety standards (CSA/CPSC). Cribs made before 1986 are not safe.
• Keep pillows, stuffed animals, etc. out of the crib to avoid suffocation.
• Never place a crib within reach of windows, blinds, lamps, or electrical cords.
• Make sure mattress is firm and fits snugly against the frame.
• Regularly check to make sure all screws are tightened.
• Remove mobiles from crib once your baby can reach them.
• Make sure all furniture for the nursery has lead-free paint, is sturdy, won’t tip, and has smooth edges/round corners.
• Cut any cords on blinds so they are not looped or long.
• Keep diaper-changing supplies out of baby’s reach.
• Install window safety devices, set to allow no more than a 10cm opening.