SAFE HOUSE CHECKLIST

Kitchen • Always turn pot handles inwards on the stove • It is safer to cook on rear elements • Install a stove guard (available from appliance or hardware stores) • Keep a small fire extinguisher handy • Use child resistant catches on all drawers and cupboards • Keep all electric cords out of reach • Keep all detergents and household medicines locked away • If you have a dishwasher be especially carefully of dishwasher powder – it is very caustic and your child is at risk of serious injury from tasting or swallowing the detergent. • Use tablemats instead of table cloths • Keep emergency phone numbers by the phone • Keep sharp knives and knife blocks out of reach Bathroom • Make sure that the temperature of your hot water is no more than 500C • Never leave baby in the bath alone • Take the phone off the hook during bath time • Keep the toilet lid closed • Keep the bathroom and toilet doors closed • Install child safety catches on all drawers and cupboards. Lounge • Use close fitting nightclothes to reduce the risk of fire • Install a child proof fire guard secured to the wall around fireplaces and heaters • Hook curtain and blind cords up out of reach • Make sure that you have smoke alarms installed and remember to change the batteries regularly. If you change the batteries every time daylight saving changes then you will always have batteries no more than six months old). • Put safety plugs in unused electric sockets Bedroom • Make sure that babies cot is away from the window and blind cords • Once baby is rolling change nappies on the floor • Keep the side of the cot up at all times • Remove any ribbons or cords from babies clothing • Make sure that furniture is away from the windows Outside • Ensure swimming pool fencing meets safety standards • Fence the outside play area off from the driveway • Install safety glass, wooden bars or safety film on all low level glass • Empty paddling pools when not in use • Shut gates to the property • Remove poisonous plants from the garden • Turn anything that could collect rainwater upside down e.g.: buckets, wheelbarrows • Lock garden sheds and garages • Lock away garden poisons