Life changes when you become a parent. A home where a newborn or crawling toddler lives looks very different to that of a home with a young couple without kids. These differences are essential to ensure the safety of children because an average house has many hazards. The home safety list below includes many essential safety ideas as well as many items that would be a most appreciated and practical gift for new parents.

Home Safety – Things to think about

General Baby Goods

Barrier gates on stairs

Covers on all power points
Child proof locks for cupboards, drawers, fridge, washing machine, dryer and toilet
Move furniture away from windows, ceiling fans and electrical switches
Secure large objects to prevent them from falling eg bookcases
Blind and curtain cords out of child’s reach
Ensure suitable number of smoke alarms installed
Heating appliances out of reach
Place all hot drinks out of reach
Fireguards in front of all fires
Stickers or frosting on glass areas to prevent collisions
Remove small, fragile or breakable items
Safety locks on windows to stop them opening more than 4 inches

Kitchen

Barrier gate to restrict access
Fit an oven guard
Fire blanket / fire extinguisher
Lockable cupboard for cleaning products
Knives and sharp objects out of reach
Kettle and appliance cords out of reach
Saucepans placed on back hot plates with handles turned to prevent them being pulled down.
Child resistant latches on cupboards you do not want your child getting into
Replace tablecloths with placemats
Store plastic bags out of reach
Safety lock on dishwasher

Bathroom

Lockable medicine cupboard
Cosmetics, razors, hairdryers all out of reach
Heater out of reach
Reduce hot water tap below 50 degrees
Bath thermometer
Non-slip mat in bath tub

Laundry

Nappy bucket with firm fitting lid
Store poisons out of reach

Outside

Store poisons, pesticides, paints out of reach
Remove all branches hanging at child’s eye level
Clear pathways

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