Young children can move surprisingly quickly and can fall from change tables when left only for a second.

• Always have one hand on the child and keep your changing needs close at hand or on the bottom shelf.
• When using your table never leave your child alone, always take the baby when you need to go somewhere, even if it is just behind you.
• Make sure change tables are stable and have side guards to stop babies from rolling off.
• Look for a hollow shape deep enough to stop babies from rolling off.
• Look at installing a change table safety harness.

Curtain and blind cords can be a real danger to your children. Children can get caught in the cords and be strangled. This can happen when the cords are too long or they end in a loop, and when furniture or bedding is too close to the windows.

• Keep furniture away from windows to prevent children climbing up and reaching curtain or blind cords.
• Replace curtain cords with curtain or blind wands whenever possible.
• Alternatively, ensure excess curtain and blind cords are secured to the wall at least 1600mm above the ground to prevent strangulation.
• Various clamps, cord shorteners and cord windups are available to reduce the length of cords.
• You can also wrap the cord around a cleat (from hardware stores) attached to the wall near the top of the curtain or blind.
• If you have vertical blinds you can install a cord tensioning device which encloses the cord or chain loops.

Drawers act as good climbing apparatuses for children. However, this puts children at the risk of falls, and drawers can topple over if not secured to the wall.

• Secure all top heavy furniture such as tall drawers to the wall to prevent them from toppling over if children climb on them.
• Place heavier items in the lower draws to minimise the drawers top heaviness.
• Do not place items that children may want on the top of drawers. This will encourage dangerous climbing.
• Look for furniture with rounded edges when they are less than 900mm above floor level.
• Use corner protectors on sharp cornered drawers to minimise harm from bumps and falls.
• Safety latches should be installed on any drawers that you don’t want your child to be able to access. These also prevent injuries resulting from fingers getting caught.
• Do not place drawers near windows to eliminate climbing paths for children.

Whether using a cot or a bed, safety considerations need to be given to children’s sleeping arrangements.

• When choosing a cot make sure you check the spaces between the bars and ensure they are not an entrapment risk. They should be between 50-85mm apart.
• Choose one that meets the Australian Standards (AS 2172).
• Make sure that the adjustable base of the cot is moved to the lowest setting as soon as the child is able to roll over.
• Use the cot mattress provided. An ill-fitting mattress may create spaces where an infant could become trapped.
• Make sure the cot is free of rough surfaces, sharp edges, points and protrusions.
• When choosing a portable cot, use one that complies with AS/NZS 2195.
• Bunk beds are not recommended. If used, bunk beds should comply with Australian Standard AS/NZS 4220, have guard rails and a fixed ladder. The top bunk should never be used by children under nine.
• If space is tight use trundle beds in preference to bunk beds.
• Bed rails can be fitted on beds to prevent a child from falling out of a bed; these are particularly useful when you have just moved a child to a bed from a cot.
• Don’t put beds beneath ceiling fans.
• Electric blankets and hot water bottles are not recommended for young children.
• Choose low fire-risk nightwear for children.

When selecting toys for your child, keep these key safety rules in mind:

• Read labels and packaging. Look for and always follow age recommendations and instructions for assembly, use and supervision.
• There is a specific standard that covers toys for children under 3 years of age to ensure they do not have small parts that may result in choking.
• Make sure there are no sharp edges, brittle plastic, rust, or parts that could be snapped or pulled off.
• String or elastic on toys should be less than 300mm in length.
• Keep toys belonging to older children away from younger children.
• Store play toys down low so that children can reach them easily without having to climb.
• Check the condition of toys each time you tidy up. Throw out any that are unsafe.

Children should not be able to climb through their bedroom window as this can result in falls and a lack of parental supervision. Depending on the child’s age and developmental stage, different types of window restrictions can be used.

• Position all cots, beds, play structures and change tables away from windows, so that they do not act as a ladder to give children access to windows.
• To prevent falling out of windows, all windows in children’s bedrooms should have openings temporarily restricted to 100mm.
• Keep windows locked at all times. Locks can be installed that still allow the window to be opened a fraction for ventilation.
• Safety glass or safety film should be applied to all low level glazing where children play.