Attention all parents: The majority of all injuries and deaths from injury in children ages 14 and under occurs in or around the home.

The Size of the Problem Nationwide

• In 1998, almost 2,000 children ages 14 and under died from home-related unintentional injuries.
• Each year, almost 4.5 million children ages 14 and under are treated for home-related unintentional injuries.
• Children ages 4 and under suffer the majority of all fatal and nonfatal injuries in the home.
• Every week, one infant or toddler dies by drowning in a bucket.
• Children ages 5 to 14 account for 75 percent of the deaths from firearm injuries.

Source: American Academy of Pediatrics

Home Safety Checklist

In our home, every adult and mature child knows:

• CPR, including infant CPR (see “Be Ready to Rescue” on Choking pages of Child Safety).
• First aid (see “Be Ready to Rescue” on Choking pages of Child Safety).

In our home, every adult and mature child knows how to get out. Seconds count!

• Know and practice home fire escape plan (see “Safety Habits” on Fire Safety pages of Child Safety).
• Post fire escape plan by every phone (see “Safety Habits” on Fire Safety pages of Child Safety).

In our home, every adult and mature child knows how to get help:

• Emergency numbers are posted by every phone (see “Be Ready to Rescue” on Choking pages of Child Safety).
• Children practice emergency phone call.

In our home, every adult and mature child knows where to find:

• First-aid kit locked or in locked cabinet (see “Be Ready to Rescue” on Choking pages of Child Safety).
• First-aid chart posted at phones and in dangerous areas (see “Be Ready to Rescue” on Choking pages of Child Safety).

In our home, I prevent home hazards by:

• Setting water heater at 120° F (see “Room-by-Room Checklist” on Home Safety pages of Child Safety).
• Having chimney cleaned each fall or spring.
• Having fireplace, furnace, wood-burning stove, and gas appliances vented properly and inspected each spring or fall.
• Checking and throwing out medicines that are outdated.
• Marking glass doors with decals.
• Not leaving light sockets empty in lamps or other fixtures.
• Testing for lead paint if home was built before 1978 (see “Safety Habits” on Poisoning Safety pages of Child Safety).  Call 1-888-532-3547 for certified inspectors.

In our home, every adult and mature child uses appropriate safety aids and keeps them in place. I regularly check the batteries and working order of the following items:

• Smoke detectors (see “Safety Habits” on Fire Safety pages of Child Safety).
• Carbon monoxide detectors (see “Safety Habits” on Poison Safety pages of Child Safety).
• Electrical outlet covers or plugs (see “Top 12 Safety Aids” of Child Safety).
• Safety gates (see “Safety Habits” on Falls pages of Child Safety).
• Safety latches (see “Top 12 Safety Aids” of Child Safety).
• Corner or edge bumpers (see “Top 12 Safety Aids” of Child Safety).

In our home, every adult and mature child knows to keep home hazards out of sight and out of reach:

• Guns (see “Safety Habits” on Firearm Safety pages of Child Safety).
• Medications (see “Safety Habits” on Poison Safety pages of Child Safety).
• Dangerous household products (see “Room-by-Room Checklist: Kitchen and Laundry Room” on Home Safety pages of Child Safety).
• Fire hazards (see “Safety Habits” on Fire Safety pages of Child Safety).
• Knives (see “Room-by-Room Checklist: Kitchen” on Home Safety pages of Child Safety).

In our home, my child is safe because I purchase safe child furniture:

• High chair (see “Safety Habits” on Falls pages of Child Safety).
• Crib (see “Room-by-Room Checklist: Bedroom” on Home Safety pages of Child Safety).
• Playpen (see “Room-by-Room Checklist: Living Room and Family Room” on Home Safety pages of Child Safety).
• Walker without wheels (see “Safety Habits” on Falls pages of Child Safety).
• Bunk beds (see “Room-by-Room Checklist: Bedroom” on Home Safety pages of Child Safety).

In our home, my child is safe because I check each room for safety hazards. When my child and I are away from home, I do a room-by-room safety check:

• Kitchen (see “Room-by-Room Checklist: Kitchen” on Home Safety pages of Child Safety).
• Bathroom (see “Room-by-Room Checklist: Bathroom” on Home Safety pages of Child Safety).
• Family room (see “Room-by-Room Checklist: Family Room and Living Room” on Home Safety pages of Child Safety).
• Bedroom (see “Room-by-Room Checklist: Bedroom” on Home Safety pages of Child Safety).
• Stairs (see “Room-by-Room Checklist: Stairs and Hallway” on Home Safety pages of Child Safety).
• Garage (see “Room-by-Room Checklist: Garage” on Home Safety pages of Child Safety).

In our home, every adult and mature child practices safety habits:

• Bike (see “Safety Habits” on Bike Safety pages of Child Safety).
• Choking (see “Safety Habits” on Choking pages of Child Safety).
• Falls (see “Safety Habits” on Falls pages of Child Safety).
• Fire (see “Safety Habits” on Fire Safety pages of Child Safety).
• Firearm (see “Safety Habits” on Firearm Safety pages of Child Safety).
• Pedestrian (see “Safety Habits” on Pedestrian Safety pages of Child Safety).
• Poisoning (see “Safety Habits” on Poisoning Safety pages of Child Safety).
• Toys (see “Safety Habits” on Toy Safety pages of Child Safety).
• Water (see “Safety Habits” on Water Safety pages of Child Safety).

In our home, every adult and mature child makes no exceptions, no excuses, and has no regrets.