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Child safety at home: fire, poisons and water

Install smoke detectors, safety switches and power point covers. Ensure that water coming out of your bathroom taps is no hotter than 50ºC.

Securely store household poisons in a cupboard that’s at least 1.5 m high and has child-resistant locks.

Never leave children alone in the bath or near water. Always stay within arm’s reach and sight of them.

Door, window and stair safety

Install safety glass in windows and doors or put shatter-resistant film on windows and doors. Put stickers on glass at eye level.

Lock windows. Move chairs and other things away from windows. Attach TVs and other heavy furniture to walls or the floor so they can’t fall on your child.

Put safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs and at the entrances to balconies.

Household hazards

Store sharp items out of children’s reach. Watch out for small objects that could be choking hazards or that your child could stick into their nose, ears or eyes.

Prevent strangulation. Keep chains and cords on blinds and curtains shorter than 5 cm, or wrap them around cleats at least 1.6 m above the floor.

Display emergency numbers and safety contacts on your fridge or store in your phone. Get more tips for child safety at home.

Download printable version

Languages other than English

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Raising Children Network is supported by the Australian Government. Member organisations are the Parenting Research Centre and the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute with The Royal Children’s Hospital Centre for Community Child Health.

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