This checklist can help in making you sure your home is safe.
GENERAL INDOOR SAFETY
1. Make sure there are stickers at all phone extensions, with numbers for the emergency services.
2. Make sure that the Smoke detectors are installed.
3. Install the Panic buttons.
4. Test the Burglar alarm and the Fire alarm.
5. Make sure that there are two unobstructed emergency exits from home.
6. Develop and Practice a fire escape plan.
7. Make sure there is a working fire extinguisher on the premises.
8. Make sure all space heaters are approved, in safe condition, out of children’s reach, placed at least 1m from all curtains, papers, furniture and have protective covers.
9. Make sure electric cords are not frayed or overloaded and are positioned out of children’s reach.
10. Fit electric plug points with safety covers.
11. The strength of stairs, railings, porches and balconies has been checked.
12. Make sure all hallways and stairways are well lit, to prevent falls.
13. Install toddler gates at the top and bottom of stairs.
14. Toy chests have lightweight lids, no lids or safe-closing hinges.
15. Safety latches or locks are installed on cabinets that contains potentially dangerous items.
16. Handbags containing vitamins, medicine, cigarettes, matches, jewellery and calculators, that has easy to swallow button batteries are out of children’s reach.
17. Potential harmful houseplants are out of reach.
18. Make sure glass doors are fitted with safety glass.
19. Place stickers on glass sliding doors.
20. Make sure window blind cords are looped out of reach.
21. Hazardous substances are safely stored.
22. Medicines and vitamins are out of children’s reach and in child-resistant containers.
23. Make sure cleaning products are stored out of children’s reach and sight.
24. All household poisons are in their original containers in high, locked cabinets (not under the sink)
25. Chemicals and poisons are not stored in cool drink bottles.
26. Cleaning products must be stored separately from food.
KITCHEN SAFETY
1. Make sure all foods and small items (including balloons) that cab choke a child are out of reach.
2. Place high chairs and stools away from the stove.
3. Place knives and other sharp objects out of children’s reach.
4. Don’t store snacks or other appealing items close to the stove.
5. Unplug appliances if they are not in use and make sure the cords are tucked away.
6. Dustbins must have safety locks, or out of reach.
OUTDOOR SAFETY
1. Playground equipment is assembled and anchored correctly according to manufacture’s instructions over a level, cushioned surface such as sand or wood chips, to break a fall.
2. The pool must be enclosed with fencing at least 1.5m high and all gates are self-closing and self-latching.
3. The pool must be covered with a pool net.
4. Fish ponds, water features and all other bodies of water are also covered with nets.
5. There must be no thorny or poisonous plants.
6. Garage doors must have safety mechanisms that stop the door if it encounters an obstacle.
BATHROOM SAFETY
1. Place Anti-slip mats or stickers in the bath.
2. Turn the maximum heat of the geyser down to medium heat.
3. Electrical appliances (radios, hair dryers, space heaters, etc) are kept out of the bathroom or unplugged, away from water and out of children’s reach.
4. Place safety locks on toilets.
5. Razor blades, scissors and hazardous substances are out of reach and locked away.
6. Shower doors must be made out of safety glass.
FIREARMS
1. Firearms must be locked in a safe and inaccessible place.
2. Guns must be stored unloaded.
3. Ammunition must be stored separately.
BITE PREVENTION
To reduce the risk of animal bites:
1. Teach your child how to handle and care for a pet.
2. Teach your child never to try to separate fighting animals.
3. Never leave a young child alone with an animal, even a familiar pet.
4. Teach your children to avoid unfamiliar animals.
HOME FIRST AID KID
It’s ideal to have everything on hand in case of an emergency. Pack all your supplies in something light and durable, like a plastic tool box or fishing box, for instance.
- Sterile gauze
- Adhesive tape
- Adhesive bandages and plasters in several sizes
- Sterile eye dressing
- Two eye pads with bandages
- Burn shields
- Burn ointment
- Elastic bandages
- Antiseptic wipes
- Soap
- Antiseptic solution or cream
- Arnica cream
- Rescue cream
- Rescue remedy
- Paracetamol (for adults and children)
- Re hydration solution
- Extra prescription medications
- Tweezers, sharp scissors and safety pins
- Instant cold packs
- Calamine lotion
- Alcohol wipes or ethyl alcohol
- Thermometer
- Plastic gloves and a CPR mouthpiece
- Torch and extra batteries
- Your list of emergency phone numbers
1. Clean cotton pillowcases make an excellent loose covering
2. Clean towels or dishcloths are good “emergency” bandages
3. Clean plastic bags can be put over a burned foot or hand and lightly secured with a bandage
4. Anything rigid and straight – like a broomstick or even a magazine – can be used to support and splint a limb.
Adapt this list to create a kit for your car. Include a record of your family members’ vital statistics even if you are far from home.
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