Child Safety at Home

The most important factor in child safety at home is supervision.

But of course, there will be times when you need to step away for a brief moment. The following is a guide to the things you can do to protect your child. It also highlights those circumstances when you definitely shouldn’t step away.

Child Safety at Home – Indoors

Furniture & Equipment

When selecting furniture and equipment for your home, particularly for your child’s room or play space, look for items that comply with Australian Standards.

Make sure all furniture in your home is sturdy enough that it can’t be pulled or knocked over – anchor furniture and large appliances like televisions to walls or floors.

Burns & Scalds

Keep hot food and drinks out of reach and avoid holding your child while you’re consuming these items.

Water temperature is also important so check with a plumber about how to limit the temperature of water coming from your taps to 50ºC. Also, you must always test bath or shower temperature before bathing children.

Electrical Safety

Use power point covers on all outlets and dispose of any appliances with worn or damaged cords. Install safety switches and make sure any electrical repairs are completed by a licensed electrician.

Poisoning Prevention

Store all household chemicals, medicines and any poisonous materials in locked cabinets, well out of reach of children.

Strangulation & Suffocation

Don’t leave clothes, cushions or toys in cots or prams.

Tie knots in all plastic bags and make sure they are stored out of reach of children.

Install brackets beside window frames to keep blind or curtain cords from swinging free. These must be at least 1.6m from the floor.

Glass Safety

Install safety glass or use shatter-resistant film on existing windows / doors and place stickers at eye level.

Water Safety

Children of any age must be supervised constantly when in or around water in the home. This includes baths, showers, buckets, or any other container of water.

Children under five years old should never be left alone in the bathroom. They must be supervised by an adult at all times.

Child Safety at Home – Outdoors

Backyard Safety

Make sure any garden and household tools are stored safely out of reach of children. This includes power tools, lawnmowers, and all sharp tools and objects.

Water Safety

Pools in Australia must comply with fencing and self-locking gate laws and be maintained.

Children of all ages must be supervised by an adult around pools at all times. This includes wading and paddling pools.

We hope this article will serve as a helpful guide for child safety at home.