Chris Barnes from CHOICE’s household-product testing labs says you don’t need to go over the top with every clip, latch and cover under the sun to keep your precious littlie safe – simply use your best judgement.

Take a look around your home for the obvious hazards. It will help to get down on your hands and knees and discover for yourself what kinds of mischief your cruising, crawling or walking little one might get up to down there (think sharp edges, furniture that can be easily tipped over when pulled, dangling cords on blinds, exposed electrical sockets and access to cupboards with potentially dangerous contents).

As there’s lots to think about, Chris suggests sussing out these big-ticket items first:

• Do you have a working smoke alarm? Smoke alarms should be installed near bedrooms on every level of your home, with the batteries checked and replaced on a regular basis.


• Do you have a safety switch installed in your power board? The safety switch will automatically turn off if there’s an electrical fault and can help to prevent electric shocks.


• Are all electrical sockets within reach of tiny fingers covered up? Plastic power-point covers are a must when young, curious bubs are about.


• Are all cords out of reach? Chris notes that the dangling cords on blinds are a serious strangulation risk for young children. If they can’t be replaced with rods, he says the cords should be split so they don’t make a look loop, or wrapped around a cleat high up on the wall.


• Can your child access hot surfaces or scalding water sources around the home? Reducing the temperature of hot water at the basin, bath, shower and sink to 50°C can help prevent severe burns.


• Is your glass safe? Any accessible glass in modern houses is likely safety glass that won’t shatter if it’s damaged, Chris says. However, if you have an older home, watch out for glass your child may press against.


• Are chemicals, poisons and medicines hidden away? These should be stored high off the ground well out of your child’s sight and reach. If dangerous items are kept in lower cupboards, these should definitely be secured with child-proof locks, Chris says.


• Is your furniture stable? Furniture anchors are a good idea, Chris says. If you’ve got bookshelves, for example, they may topple if your child decides to climb on them.


• Are your windows safe? Window locks throughout your home. Prevent little bodies getting through windows and falling.

Once you’ve sussed out bigger picture potential hazards, Chris says it’s time to move on to the often-overlooked items that can prove just as dangerous.

• Do you have a sliding door in your home? Finger guards that can be clipped onto sliding doors help prevent little fingers from getting jammed in them.


• Can your child potentially get locked in a room alone? If your tot becomes prone to slamming doors, locks to keep the door open or that prevent door knobs being turned can prevent any incidents.


• Can your child open dangerous doors by himself? As well as securing cupboards containing potentially dangerous contents with child-proof locks, you may want to consider other doors such as those on washing machines and oven doors.


• Can bub reach sharp objects? While most parents are diligent about storing sharp objects, such as knives, away from the grasp of tiny hands, it’s all too easy to forget about the dishwasher, Chris says. He suggests that the door be kept closed and the dishwasher preferably only loaded just prior to the wash cycle and unloaded soon after it finishes.

While it can seem overwhelming, there’s no need to batten down every hatch and send the household into complete lockdown, Chris assures. “But the best thing to do is to ask yourself, ‘What can my child get into?’, because if kids can get inside or on top of something, they probably will! Then use your judgement from there,” he says.

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