Install safety devices throughout the home

Physical safety devices address the most common causes of serious childhood injury at home, including poisoning, falls, electrical shock, and furniture tip-overs. Start with cabinet latches, outlet covers, baby gates, and furniture anchors as the essential baseline.

Key Devices

• Cabinet and drawer latches on all cabinets containing cleaning supplies, medicines, or sharp objects
• Outlet covers or tamper-resistant receptacles on every unused outlet
• Hardware-mounted baby gates at the top of stairs; pressure-mounted gates work at the bottom or to block rooms
• Anti-tip straps securing dressers, bookcases, and TVs to wall studs
• Window guards or stops on upper-floor windows, plus cordless blinds to eliminate strangulation risk
• Door knob covers on doors leading to bathrooms, stairs, or outdoors
• Corner guards on sharp furniture edges at child head height

Tips

• Never use pressure-mounted gates at the top of stairs
• Use a stud finder when anchoring furniture and gates to walls
• Check adhesive-mounted devices monthly, as they can loosen over time