Install safety latches, outlet covers, gates, and furniture anchors

Address the most common physical hazards by installing a core set of safety devices throughout your home, focusing on kitchens, bathrooms, and stairways.

Steps

1. Cabinet and drawer latches: Fit safety latches inside every cabinet or drawer that holds cleaning supplies, medicines, sharp objects, or small items.
2. Outlet covers: Insert plastic safety plugs into unused outlets or switch to tamper-resistant outlet covers.
3. Baby gates: Mount gates at the top and bottom of stairs and across doorways to kitchens, workshops, or other unsafe areas. Use hardware-mounted gates at stair tops.
4. Furniture and TV anchors: Strap dressers, bookcases, TVs, and stands to wall studs with anti-tip brackets to prevent toppling.
5. Window safety: Install window guards or stops on upper-floor windows. Replace corded blinds with cordless versions to eliminate strangulation risk.
6. Door knob covers: Place covers on knobs or locks on lever handles to keep toddlers out of bathrooms, garages, and exterior doors.
7. Corner guards: Apply soft guards to sharp table and furniture edges at child-head height.

Tips

• Pressure-mounted gates work for doorways but hardware-mounted gates are safer at stair tops
• Check all installations monthly for loosening or wear