Public Health and Environment

Children's Environmental Health - Home Safety

Children are curious and adventurous. They learn every day by taking risks and exploring the world around them. Most often this environment is their home. If you have children in your life, it is important to take time to childproof your home to protect them. Many household items include dangerous physical and choking hazards. It is important to be aware of these hazards and learn to protect our children. Many children are injured or killed by hazards in the home each year and many of these injuries are preventable.

Washington County Resources

• Safety

Other Resources

• Minnesota Department of Health
  • Home Safety Resources

• Safe Kids USA
  • Preventing Injuries: at home, at play, and on the way.

• Consumer Product Safety Commission
  • Childproofing your Home-12 Safety Devices to Protect Your Children (PDF)

• Children's Safety Network
  • Injury Prevention Information

• Home Safety Council
  • A Safe Home is in Your Hands

Activities for Children

• Children's Health Environmental Coalition-HealtheHouse
  • Virtual House

Action Steps

• Keep out of reach or lock up items that are potentially harmful for your child such as cleaning supplies or other chemicals and sharp objects such as knives or scissors.
• Keep the water temperature set at 120 degrees Farenheit or less to prevent burns or scalds.
• Keep emergency numbers handy and near the phone, so they are accessible when needed in a crisis.
• Keep small objects or toys out of reach from children to prevent choking.
• Supervise children at all times!