Child Care Safety Checklist
for Parents and Child Care Providers
CRIBS: Make sure cribs meet current national safety standards and are
in good condition. Look for a certification safety seal. Older cribs
may not meet current standards. Crib slats should be no more than 2
3/8" apart, and mattresses should fit snugly.
This can prevent strangulation and
suffocation associated with older cribs and mattresses that are too
small.
SOFT BEDDING: Be sure that no pillows, soft bedding, or comforters are
used when you put babies to sleep. Babies should be put to sleep on
their backs in a crib with a firm, flat mattress.
This can help reduce Sudden Infant
Death Syndrome (SIDS) and suffocation related to soft bedding.
PLAYGROUND SURFACING: Look for safe surfacing on outdoor playgrounds
- at least 12 inches of wood chips, mulch, sand or pea gravel, or mats
made of safety-tested rubber or rubber-like materials.
This helps protect against injuries
from falls, especially head injuries.
PLAYGROUND MAINTENANCE: Check playground surfacing and equipment regularly
to make sure they are maintained in good condition.
This can help prevent injuries, especially
from falls.
SAFETY GATES: Be sure that safety gates are used to keep children away
from potentially dangerous areas, especially stairs.
Safety gates can protect against many
hazards, especially falls.
WINDOW BLIND AND CURTAIN CORDS: Be sure miniblinds and venetian blinds
do not have looped cords. Check that vertical blinds, continuous looped
blinds, and drapery cords have tension or tie-down devices to hold the
cords tight.
These safety devices can prevent strangulation
in the loops of window blind and curtain cords.
CLOTHING DRAWSTRINGS: Be sure there are no drawstrings around the hood
and neck of children's outerwear clothing. Other types of clothing fasteners,
like snaps, zippers, or hook and loop fasteners (such as Velcro), should
be used.
Drawstrings can catch on playground and other equipment
and can strangle young children.
RECALLED PRODUCTS: Check that no recalled products are being used and
that a current list of recalled children's products is readily visible.
Recalled products pose a threat of injury or death.
Displaying a list of recalled products will remind caretakers and parents
to remove or repair potentially dangerous children's toys and products.
