Grandchild Coming Over? Use This Home Safety Checklist.

Finally, you’re going to have your little grandchild over to spend the day and make some memories. Before the big arrival, make sure you review our home safety checklist to help ensure you’re doing all you can to keep your little one out of danger. It’s best to get on the floor and look from the child’s point of view. What they see at their eye level may not be seen by yours.

Home Safety Checklist

• Cover electrical sockets with childproof plates.
• Soften sharp edges on your tables, chairs and other furniture with corner bumpers.
• Put any small items that the baby could choke on in a drawer with a safety lock (e.g., refrigerator magnets, loose change, paper clips, etc.).
• Put safety locks on cabinets and drawers that contain cleaning products, medications, liquor, sharp objects, etc.
• Store firearms in a locked compartment with a safety latch for added security. They should be unloaded with the ammo stored in a separate place. All firearms should have a trigger lock.
• Secure heavy items, such as televisions, computer monitors, dressers, file cabinets, etc., to the wall so they can’t tip over. Keep drawers closed when not in use to prevent the child from climbing in them.
• Keep the dishwasher door closed and latched when not in use.
• Install safety gates to keep your child from entering rooms, such as the kitchen or bathroom. Use a safety gate that bolts into the wall for staircases.
• Prevent drowning. Infants and toddlers can drown in as little as an inch of water, so install a safety latch on your toilet. Drain wading pools, and install fences or gates that lead to swimming pools.
• Use door stops or holders to prevent him from being hit by a door or getting his fingers pinched.
• Reduce the risk of falling or climbing by placing him in a stationary device, such as a play saucer instead of an infant walker.
• Program the numbers for the pediatrician, poison control center and other essential numbers in your phone.
• Check battery compartments on clickers and kids' toys, especially for button batteries. Some toys and clickers have easy-to-open battery compartments and button batteries are a serious risk to children.

Reevaluate Safety as Kids Grow Up

Childproofing measures must be evaluated as kids learn to walk and climb. The safety gate that you installed to keep them out of the bathroom may be something that they can climb over now as a toddler. Or now that he’s taller, it might be time to put a stove lock and knob protectors on the stove. Once child-proofing measures are in place, you’ll be able to make wonderful memories with less worry!