Grandchild Safety Checklist

Young Infants
Young infants follow objects with their eyes. They explore with their hands, feet and mouths. They begin sitting and crawling

Put your grandchild to sleep on his or her back in a crib with a firm, flat mattress and no soft bedding.
Make sure your crib is sturdy, with no loose or missing hardware; used cribs may not meet current safety standards.
Don't give grandchildren toys or other items with small parts, or tie toys around their necks.
In a car, always buckle your grandchild in a child safety seat on the back seat.

Older Infants
Older infants crawl and learn to walk. They enjoy bath play and explore objects by banging and poking.

Never leave your grandchild alone for a moment near any water or in the bathtub, even with a bath seat; check bath water with your wrist or elbow to be sure it is not too hot.
Don't leave a baby unattended on a changing table or other nursery equipment; always use all safety straps.
If you use a baby walker for your grandchild, make sure it has special safety features to prevent falls down stairs, or use a stationary activity center instead.
Keep window blind and curtain cords out of reach of grandchildren; dress grandchildren in clothing without drawstrings.

Toddlers
Toddlers have lots of energy and curiosity. They like exploring, climbing and playing with small objects.

Keep all medicines in containers with safety caps; be sure medicines, cleaning products, and other household chemicals are out of reach and locked away from children.
Use safety gates for stairs, safety plugs for electrical outlets, and safety latches for drawers and cabinets.
Buy toys labeled for children under age 3; these are often safety recommendations, not measures of a child's skill or ability.
Never leave your grandchildren alone in or near swimming pools.

Preschoolers
Preschoolers are very active. They run, jump and climb.

Keep children-and furniture they can climb on-away from windows.
At playgrounds, look for protective surfacing under equipment.
Be sure your grandchildren wear helmets when riding tricycles or bicycles.
At all ages, make sure your smoke detectors work; keep matches and lighters away from children.

This is reprinted with the permission of the US Consumer Product Safety Commission.