Childproofing by Age — Highest-Risk Areas

Stairs — Hardware-mounted safety gates at the top and bottom of every staircase. Pressure-mounted gates are acceptable between rooms but not at the top of stairs (they can dislodge under weight).

Outlets — Outlet covers in every accessible outlet, or replace with tamper-resistant outlets. Avoid small round plug covers older children can remove and choke on; the sliding box-cover style is safer.

Cords and blinds — Cordless window coverings only. Tie up or eliminate any window blind cords — strangulation hazard. Move cribs and play areas away from windows.

Cabinets and drawers — Latches on cabinets containing cleaning products, medications, sharp objects, glass, alcohol, plastic bags, batteries (especially button batteries), or anything small enough to fit through a toilet-paper tube.

Furniture tip-overs — Anchor every dresser, bookshelf, TV, and large piece of furniture to the wall. Furniture tip-over kills a US child roughly every two weeks per CPSC; this is fully preventable with wall anchors.

Kitchen — Pot handles turned toward the back of the stove. Never leave hot drinks within a child’s reach. Stove knob covers if accessible. Load the dishwasher knife and utensil holder point-down.

Bathroom — Toilet locks. Cabinet locks for medications, mouthwash, hair tools. Set water heater max temp to 120°F (49°C) to prevent scald burns. Always test bath water with the back of your wrist.

Pool and water — Four-sided fencing around pools, self-closing and self-latching at adult height. Never leave a child unattended near any water source — pool, bathtub, bucket, toilet.

Full room-by-room walk-through checklist and conversation script: Volume 1, Unit 3, Lesson 3.2.