Most injuries suffered by children occurs in and around the home. While it may not be possible to make
your home completely safe at all time, you can take steps to lessen the risk of injury and make your home
a safer place for children.
Childhood Injuries Include: Some Causes:
Burns and Scalds
Cooking appliances such as the oven, stove, barbeque
Heaters and Irons
Hot Water and Steam
Hot liquids such as. tea, coffee, soup, noodles
Cigarettes, fires, candles, matches, lighters
Sun
Poisoning
Medications
Household cleaning products
Pool chemicals
Pesticides
Choking
Small items such as beads, toys, pieces of foam, coins, miniature batteries etc.
Food items such as small pieces of raw carrot, apple pieces, popcorn, nuts
and hard lollies.
Near-Drowning
Bath (if left unsupervised)
Wading Pool
Swimming pools or spas
Garden ponds and water features
Dams, lakes and water tanks
Entrapment
Between cot railings
Balustrades
Vertical railings
Curtain and blind cords
Playground equipment
Breaks, sprains, concussion and head
injury
Falls
Trips
Collision
Cots and Portable Cots
Prams and Strollers
Safe Play for Backyards
Change Tables
High Chairs
Children’s Nightwear
Toy Safety
Safety Gates and Locks
Kidsafe NSW has a suite of information sheets available to download from the website kidsafensw.org o assist par-
ents and carers to “make a safer world for kids”. Titles include:
Visit the Kidsafe Demonstration Safety House located in the grounds of the Children’s Hospital
at Westmead. Contact the office for more information 02 9845 0890
Home Safety Checklist
March 2013
Child Accident Prevention Foundation of Australia
KIDSAFE NEW SOUTH WALES Inc.
P: 02 9845 0890 F: 02 9845 0895
SCHN-kidsafe@health.nsw.gov.au
kidsafensw.org
Child Accident Prevention Foundation of Australia
THROUGHOUT THE HOME Yes No Change Environment by:
Floor coverings are free of trip hazards
Safety barriers are provided at the top and bottom of stairs and steps to prevent
falls
Railings are designed to prevent children climbing
A safety switch has been installed and is operational
Safety covers are fitted in unused power outlets
Power boards are used instead of adaptors
Power boards are not overloaded
Electrical appliances are in good working order
Electrical appliances are switched off and unplugged when not in use and cords
stored out of reach of children
Blind and curtains cords are out of a child’s reach to avoid strangulation
Heaters, open fires, candles are screened with a secured guard or are inaccessible
to children who should be supervised at all times when these are in use
Matches and lighters are stored out of reach of children
Smoke alarms are installed as per regulations, on each floor and near the kitchen
Smoke alarms have been tested within the last month and are operational with
batteries changed once per year
An emergency evacuation plan (including an agreed meeting spot) is in place and is
practised regularly
A list of emergency contact numbers is located near each phone
KITCHEN Yes No Change Environment by:
Access to the kitchen when cooking is restricted by use of a secure safety barrier
A fire blanket / fire extinguisher is located near the kitchen
Cleaning and hazardous products such as medications, chemicals, plastic bags etc.
are stored in a lockable cupboard or are inaccessible to children
Rear burners are used on the stove whenever possible and pot handles are always
turned away from the front of the stove
The stove is bolted to the wall to prevent tipping forward
The dishwasher is kept closed at all times
The microwave is positioned out of reach of children
Curtains are kept away from the stove or other appliances
Knives or other sharp objects are stored in a lockable cupboard or out of reach of
children
Safety catches are installed on drawers and cupboards containing dangerous items
The kettle and other appliance cords are kept out of reach of children
Non-slip placemats are used instead of table cloths
Hot drinks are kept out of reach of children
The highchair is stable and fitted with a five point harness
Five point safety harness is fastened whenever highchair is in use
Every home is different. Some items in the following checklist may not apply in your home.
LIVING ROOM Yes No Change Environment by:
Furniture is arranged to allow access and to avoid trip hazards and collisions
Furniture is positioned away from windows
Large items of furniture such as TV’s, bookcases and entertainment units are se-
cured to prevent them falling on children
Protective covers are placed on sharp corners/edges of furniture
Heaters are located at least I metre away from curtains or other flammable material
Safety glass or safety film is installed to low level glass doors and windows
Stickers or frosting is applied to glass sliding doors to prevent collisions
Separate play space provided for children
Toys are checked regularly for damage or loose parts
BEDROOMS Yes No Change Environment by:
Furniture is positioned away from windows, blind cords, electrical outlets and ceil-
ing fans
The furniture is arranged to avoid trip hazards and collisions
The cot complies with the Australian Standard
The cot mattress fits snugly
The cot is free of soft toys, pillows, bumpers etc.
The child’s bed is of safe design (the top section of a bunk bed is not
recommended for children under 9 years of age)
The bunk bed complies with the Australian Standard
Toys are stored where children can reach them without climbing
Toys are in good condition and suitable for the child’s age
The change table is stable
The change table mat is secure
Items needed for changing baby are located at arm’s reach of the change table
5 point safety harness is used when changing baby on the change table
‘Low Fire Danger’ nightwear is worn
BATHROOM Yes No Change Environment by:
Hot water from tap is no hotter than 50°C
Bath taps are inaccessible to children
Hazardous products such as shampoos, razors and medications are stored in a
lockable cupboard or are inaccessible to children
Electrical appliances are removed from the bathroom
A non-slip bath mat or floor surface is provided
Non-slip stickers are used in the base of the bath and shower
Children are supervised at all times in the bathroom
The room heater is out of reach of children
FOR MORE INFORMATION
The Royal Life Saving Society Australia have developed a Home Pool Safety Checklist which is available to download at:
royallifesaving.com.au
NSW Fire Brigade has a fact sheet and checklist available to assist parents and carers in keeping the home fire safe.
fire.nsw.gov.au
Learn to Stop Burns The Burns Unit, Kids Health and Kidsafe NSW have been working together to produce an interactive burns
prevention program, designed for use with school aged students and their parents. The game allows entry to a virtual home where
individual rooms may be navigated to search for the potential burn dangers in everyday life.
chw.edu.au/prof/services/burns_unit/burns_prevention/burns.htm
The Children’s Hospital at Westmead Kidsafe WA Online Safety Demonstration House Kidsafe National
chw.edu.au kidsafewa.com.au/safetyhome.htm kidsafe.com.au
LAUNDRY Yes No Change Environment by:
Hazardous substances such as cleaning products are stored in a lockable
cupboard or are inaccessible to children
Poisonous substances are stored in their original container
The nappy bucket has a firm fitting lid and is inaccessible to children
The iron is out of reach of children
The lint filter in dryer is cleaned regularly
GARAGE AND SHED Yes No Change Environment by:
The garage and shed should be lockable
Poisonous and hazardous substances such as paint, pesticides and flammable
liquids are stored in a lockable cupboard or are inaccessible to children
Power tools and hardware etc. are inaccessible to children
Children have restricted access to garage and shed
OUTDOORS Yes No Change Environment by:
Wading pool and other water containers are emptied immediately after use
Play area is fenced securely, checked and maintained regularly
Fence and gates are in good condition and in working order
Sunscreen and hat worn when outside
Play equipment checked regularly and in good condition
Trampoline, swings and climbing items are positioned on a soft surface eg. grass
or mulch
Garden is free from poisonous plants
Branches and twigs are removed from children’s eye level
Children are supervised in the backyard at all times
Children are restricted from accessing the driveway
Helmets are worn when riding a tricycle, bike, scooter, inline skates or skateboard
etc.
Wrist, knee and elbow guards are worn when riding a scooter, inline skates or
skateboard etc.
Children are supervised around pets, especially dogs
Pram or stroller complies with Australian Standard
The five point safety harness on the pram or stroller is secured when in use.
Disclaimer: This checklist is for general information only. Please consult Kidsafe NSW
or a health professional for specific information relating to your circumstances and
your child.
Child Accident Prevention Foundation of Australia
