Electrical and structural

Balconies & verandas

Check that posts are rails are sturdy, close together so that a small child cannot get their head, arms or legs stuck, and too high for a child to climb over. Keep safety gates at stairs.

Steps

Blinds and curtain cords

Keep these out of reach from the floor, beds and furniture children can climb upon. Children can get caught up in cords cutting off circulation or causing strangulation. Cord tensioning devices, which secure the cord to the wall or wrap the cord around, can be purchased where you got your blinds or from hardware stores.

Ceilings

make sure children cannot reach (including during a piggy-back ride!) or climb to lights & chandeliers, ceiling fans or a sun roof.

Driveways and parking

Kids are fast and it’s very difficult if not impossible to see a small child behind a car. Safely buckle your child into their car seat prior to driving away, or keep them inside or held back within view of the car by another adult. Teach your child that the drive way is not a play space and is out of bounds to cycles, balls and other toys.

Doors & windows in rooms and on cupboards

Hand, finger & toe entrapment, amputation. Head bumps. Entrapment in room. Falls from windows, older style sash windows fall, Safety glass. Screens. When leading outdoors, child unable to open. Consider half doors. To find out about child safety locks talk to your local hardware store or other suppliers of baby safety products (see Retail page X for your nearest)

Electrical, cords and power points

where possible, conceal power points and cords behind furniture. Insert safety plugs into unused sockets and safety cut off switches onto power circuits. Keep electrical products and their cords out of reach, mount where possible, and supervise children when in use. Consider purchasing items with a safety cut off switch. Use items only as directed i.e. do not cover and keep away from water. Do not leave electrical items on an unstable surface e.g. ironing boards.

Gates and fences

Check that there are no gaps for children to get out or stray animals to get in, and all structures are sturdy. Secure gates with latches out of your child’s reach or locks.

Glass

Glass is featured all through most homes in windows, doors, paneling in walls, shower screens, barriers, tables, skylights, shelves, tableware and ornaments. Install and label safety glass structurally ensuring it is visible. You can contact an accredited glazier to visit your home, identify glass and make recommendations. Teach children responsible glass safety practices and enforce rules about playing near glass or throwing items near glass. Avoid children climbing onto glass tables.

Sheds & garages

Keep them locked when not in use. Take safety measures as with indoor areas – store dangerous items on high shelves or lockable cupboards. Keep clean and free from spiders and rodents. Store bikes and toys away from vehicles and other hazards. Make sure children cannot climb onto or reach items on work benches, unplug and pack power tools when not in use. Provide sufficient ventilation for fuel, paints and other fumes.