Lauren HollandBy Lauren Holland

Checklists turn safety advice into a quick routine you can run when something changes: moving house, arriving at a holiday rental, visiting grandparents or choosing childcare. These lists condense guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Safe Kids Worldwide and Poison Control into short checks. Use them as a starting point and adapt them to your home and your child. They do not replace supervision or professional advice.

Before using any checklist: save 911 and Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) in your phone, and know the address of where you are staying so you can give it in an emergency. No checklist makes a place completely safe.

Core checklist (any home)

Water

  • ☐ Water heater set so the hottest faucet water is no more than 120°F (AAP)
  • ☐ Bath time: adult within arm’s reach at all times (AAP)
  • ☐ Buckets and containers emptied; no standing water (AAP)
  • ☐ Any pool fenced on all four sides with a self-closing, self-latching gate (AAP)

Poisons and small objects

  • ☐ Medicines and household products locked out of reach, in original containers (Poison Control, AAP)
  • ☐ Laundry and dishwasher pods locked away (Poison Control)
  • ☐ Battery compartments secured; spare button batteries stored safely (Poison Control)
  • ☐ Floors checked for small objects (AAP)
  • ☐ Carbon monoxide alarm in every sleeping area (Poison Control)

Falls and furniture

  • ☐ Gates at top and bottom of stairs; top gate screwed to the wall (Safe Kids, CPSC)
  • ☐ Dressers, bookcases and TVs anchored (CPSC Anchor It)
  • ☐ Window stops limiting openings to 4 inches, or window guards with emergency release where needed (CPSC, Safe Kids)
  • ☐ Furniture moved away from windows (CPSC)
  • ☐ Window cords removed or cordless coverings used (CPSC)

Fire and burns

  • ☐ Smoke alarms on every level, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas, tested (CPSC)
  • ☐ Fireplaces and heaters screened (AAP)
  • ☐ Hot drinks kept away from edges and not carried while holding the child (AAP)

Moving into a new home

Moving day is chaotic, and new homes hide unfamiliar hazards. In addition to the core list:

  • ☐ Set up a safe space (crib, playpen or gated room) first, before unpacking
  • ☐ Unpack medicines and cleaning products into locked storage immediately
  • ☐ Check the water heater temperature
  • ☐ Test smoke and CO alarms; replace batteries
  • ☐ Anchor furniture as it is placed, not “later”
  • ☐ Walk each room at toddler eye level for outlets, cords, windows and sharp edges
  • ☐ Check for pools, ponds or water features nearby

See new home checklist.

Hotels, rentals and other homes away from home

Rentals and hotels are rarely childproofed. A 10-minute check on arrival:

  • ☐ Windows and balcony doors: can a toddler open them or climb to them? Move furniture away
  • ☐ Pool or hot tub access: gates, alarms, locks
  • ☐ Medicines and cleaning products under sinks: move them high or lock them
  • ☐ Furniture and TVs that could tip: move or block access
  • ☐ Hot water temperature: test before bathing
  • ☐ Cords from blinds and appliances out of reach
  • ☐ Your own travel safety kit: portable outlet covers, cabinet straps, a night light

See travel safety.

Grandparents’ and relatives’ homes

Homes without young children often have medicines on counters, pill organisers within reach and older furniture. A friendly checklist to share:

  • ☐ Medicines (including pill organisers and handbags) stored up high or locked
  • ☐ Cleaning products moved from under the sink
  • ☐ Button batteries in hearing aids, remotes and watches secured
  • ☐ Stairs gated or supervised
  • ☐ Heavy furniture and TVs anchored or blocked
  • ☐ Pool, pond and bath safety agreed
  • ☐ Emergency numbers and the child’s details on the fridge

See grandparent home checklist.

Choosing childcare

Ask the provider and look for yourself:

  • ☐ State licensing status and the most recent inspection report (check with your state’s licensing agency)
  • ☐ Adult-to-child ratios and supervision practices
  • ☐ Staff trained in CPR and first aid
  • ☐ Medicines and cleaning products locked away
  • ☐ Safe sleep practices for nap time
  • ☐ Gates, anchored furniture and covered outlets
  • ☐ Water safety rules if there is any water play
  • ☐ Emergency plans and how parents are contacted

See childcare checklist.

Outdoor and garage checklist

  • ☐ Garden chemicals, car products and paints locked away in original containers (Poison Control)
  • ☐ Pools, ponds, rain barrels and water features fenced, covered or emptied (AAP)
  • ☐ Playground surfaces shock-absorbing, such as rubber, sand, wood chips or mulch (Safe Kids)
  • ☐ Tools and ladders stored out of reach
  • ☐ Toddlers kept away from driveways and moving vehicles; check behind cars before reversing

Babysitter and carer handover checklist

  • ☐ Emergency numbers (911, Poison Control 1-800-222-1222) and your contact details
  • ☐ Home address written down for emergency calls
  • ☐ Child’s allergies, medications and doctor’s details
  • ☐ Where gates, locks and safety products are, and how they work
  • ☐ Bath and water rules: never leave the child alone in or near water
  • ☐ Food rules for choking risks, following AAP guidance on high-risk foods

How often to re-check

Repeat the core checklist every few months and whenever your child reaches a new stage: pulling up, walking, climbing, opening doors. Products wear out, adhesives fail and children learn new skills quickly.

Frequently asked questions

Can I print these checklists?

Yes, use your browser’s print function. Keep a copy on the fridge and share one with grandparents and babysitters.

What is the most important item on the list?

Supervision, especially around water. After that, the hazards that can cause serious harm quickly: drowning risks, medicines and chemicals, button batteries, tip-over furniture, windows and stairs.

Detailed explanations are in preventing common toddler injuries and room-by-room toddler-proofing. All checklists are under Safety Checklists.

What if a relative disagrees with some of the checks?

Focus on the few that matter most and explain why: medicines out of reach, water supervision, button batteries and furniture that can tip. Offering to bring and fit simple products such as cabinet straps or a portable gate often helps.

Should childcare providers follow these checks?

Licensed providers follow their state’s licensing rules, which cover many of these points. Use the childcare list to ask questions and to understand how they manage risks.

Sources

Lauren Holland

About Lauren Holland

Lauren Holland is part of our editorial team and reviews and edits our childproofing guides, checking product details against manufacturer specifications and owner feedback.