Child & Family Safety Guide

Practical Safety for Parents at Every Stage

Home Safety by Age

Infants and Toddlers (0 to 3 years)

• Install safety locks on all cabinets containing cleaning products, medications, and sharp objects

• Place safety covers on all electrical outlets

• Secure heavy furniture — bookshelves, dressers, and TVs — to the wall

• Keep small objects, including buttons, coins, and toy parts, out of reach

• Never leave a child alone near water — bathtubs, buckets, or pools

• Test your home for radon and lead paint, especially in older homes

Verdara Tip: Choking is one of the leading causes of injury in children under 3. Always supervise meal times and keep small objects off the floor.

Children (4 to 12 years)

• Teach children what household chemicals look like and why they are dangerous

• Store medications in original child-resistant containers, locked away

• Teach the stop, drop, and roll technique and practice fire escape routes

• Ensure all cleaning products are stored out of reach and clearly labeled

• Test your home's water quality — children are more vulnerable to contaminants like lead

Teenagers

• Educate teens about the dangers of mixing household chemicals

• Discuss carbon monoxide and radon risks and where detectors are located

• Involve teens in home safety checks — it builds lifelong habits

• Post emergency numbers — poison control (1-800-222-1222), fire, and police — on the refrigerator

• Keep a first aid kit stocked and accessible

• Know the location of your gas shutoff valve

• Have a family emergency meeting point outside the home

• Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors monthly