Health Topics for Child Health and Development

UI Children's Hospital

UI Family Care Centers

Divisions Within the Department of Pediatrics

Iowa Registry for Congenital and Inherited Disorders

Childproofing your home

Children have a natural instinct to explore. Very young children do not know or even understand the concepts of safety, danger, or poison. To minimize the possibility of harm or an accident occurring to your children, make the environment of your home safe. Take action to childproof your home.

Follow these guidelines. remove dangerous objects and substances:

• move electrical cords, cords to blinds or draperies, or dangling strings out of reach and cover electrical outlets

• repair plaster walls and remove peeling or chipped paint

• store unstable furnishings or structures that could topple over

• secure or remove knobs on furniture and cabinets that could be swallowed or cause choking

• store breakable items and those that could cause harm

• remove ashtrays and ban smoking inside your house

• change any paint that may not be lead free (test walls, furniture, and the baby's crib)

Add preventive measures:

• keep office supplies, tools, sewing and knitting items, and kitchen utensils out of reach

• lock up all items that could cause poisoning, including medicines, vitamins, iron tablets, birth control pills, alcohol, and cleaning and industrial agents

• keep houseplants and pets out of reach

• put up protective grills or barriers around fireplaces, radiators, heaters, stoves, furnaces, space heaters, and fans

• keep items like plastic bags, balloons, batteries, jewelry, small hard foods or candy, mothballs, and cosmetics out of reach

• attach child-guard latches to drawers, refrigerators, freezers, and cabinets that are off limits

• never leave small electrical appliances plugged into an outlet

• keep the toilet lid closed and latched with a child-proof latch and do not leave buckets filled with water unsupervised

• keep the water temperature on the hot water heater set between 120 and 125 degrees Fahrenheit

Be alert and aware of behavior:

• never leave children alone, especially in a tub or around water

• never leave a baby alone with a preschooler or pet

• always know where your child is and what the child is doing

• be sure other family members and caregivers follow your safety rules

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