In-Home Child Safety Inspection

Kids don’t understand danger, and homes are full of it—sharp corners, unstable furniture, outlets, cords, chemicals, and fall points everywhere. This checklist walks you room-by-room to eliminate the hazards that actually injure children.

For more hazard-focused guidance, see Fall Hazard Checklist, Cleaning Supply Safety Checklist, and New Home Walkthrough Checklist.

1. Whole-Home Safety Basics

[ ] Install outlet covers on unused electrical outlets.
[ ] Secure all heavy furniture to the wall to prevent tipping.
[ ] Keep blind cords, strings, and pull loops out of reach or secured.
[ ] Place safety gates at stairs and high-risk areas.

2. Living Room and Common Areas

[ ] Pad sharp table corners and low-level edges.
[ ] Keep small objects (batteries, coins, toys) off surfaces below 4 feet.
[ ] Secure TVs—wall mount preferred—or use anchored straps.
[ ] Hide or bundle electrical cords to prevent pulling.

3. Kitchen and Dining Areas

[ ] Use stove knob covers or remove knobs when not in use.
[ ] Turn pot handles inward to avoid grabbing or spills.
[ ] Install latches on cabinets containing knives, cleaning supplies, or appliances.
[ ] Keep hot liquids, coffee makers, and toasters pushed back from edges.

4. Bathrooms

[ ] Install toilet locks for toddlers prone to exploring.
[ ] Lock medicine cabinets and keep vitamins out of reach.
[ ] Set water heater to 120°F to prevent scald burns.
[ ] Use non-slip mats inside and outside the tub.

5. Bedrooms and Sleeping Areas

[ ] Use age-appropriate beds and remove thick blankets for infants.
[ ] Keep cords, lamps, and electronics away from cribs.
[ ] Ensure windows have locks and working screens.
[ ] Anchor dressers and bookshelves to prevent climbing accidents.

6. Hazardous Materials and Chemicals

[ ] Store cleaning supplies in locked or high-mounted cabinets.
[ ] Keep detergents, pods, and sprays far from child reach.
[ ] Properly store batteries—especially button cells.
[ ] Dispose of old chemicals, expired medications, and toxic products.

7. Fire, Heat, and Burn Risks

[ ] Keep space heaters at least 3 feet from anything and use child-guard screens.
[ ] Install and test smoke and CO alarms; replace batteries yearly.
[ ] Store matches and lighters well out of sight and reach.
[ ] Block access to fireplaces, stoves, and hot appliance surfaces.

8. Outdoor and Garage Hazards

[ ] Lock garages and sheds containing tools or chemicals.
[ ] Ensure pool gates and yard fences close and latch automatically.
[ ] Keep yard tools and lawn equipment stored securely.
[ ] Check for tripping hazards in walkways and patios.

9. Choking, Strangulation, and Swallowing Hazards

[ ] Remove small decorative objects and choking-sized toys from low shelves.
[ ] Keep blind cords and drawstrings tied up or clipped.
[ ] Inspect floors frequently for dropped items kids might swallow.
[ ] Store plastic bags and packaging materials out of reach.

10. Final Walkthrough and Routine Checks

[ ] Crawl-level inspection—view the home from a child’s height.
[ ] Re-secure anything a child could pull down or tip over.
[ ] Check all rooms weekly for new hazards; kids grow fast and reach more every month.
[ ] Incorporate updates into your Home Safety Annual Review.

Childproofing isn’t a one-time task—it’s constant maintenance. This inspection catches the major risks before they turn into injuries, emergency room visits, or worse. Repeat it anytime a child enters a new developmental stage or a new baby joins the home.