Outdoor Safety

• Swimming pools, hot tubs and ponds should be fully enclosed by a fence at least four feet high, with a lock on the gate. Pool alarms will alert you if anything falls into the pool. Never leave children unattended near water; kids can drown in just a few inches of liquid.
  
  Before backing a car out of the driveway, walk around the vehicle, and make sure you know where each child is before you move.
  
  Children must always wear helmets when riding bikes, scooters, skateboards or roller skates.
  
  

Bathroom Safety

• Don't leave children younger than six alone in the tub.
  
  Make sure all medications, cleaning fluids and razors are kept up high, out of kids' reach.
  
  

Kitchen Safety

• Keep alcoholic beverages and cleaning materials out of the reach of children.
  
  If your oven has knobs on the front, above the door, remove them to keep little ones from accidentally turning it on. The knobs are easy to reattach when you're ready to cook.
  
  Always keep pot handles turned in toward the back of the stove so they don't get bumped, which could cause spills and serious burns.
  
  Don't leave small children alone while eating. Many foods that kids love, like hot dogs and popcorn, are easy to choke on.
  
  

Window Safety

• Babies and children can strangle on the cords for blinds. Keep cords knotted up high, or use curtains instead.
  
  Never leave a child alone in a room with an open window that he can reach. Even with a screen in place, he could fall out.
  
  

Toy Safety

• Kids younger than three shouldn't play with toys made for older kids. Miniature blocks and fashion doll accessories may look like fun, but they're a choking hazard. Look for larger-sized alternatives if your little one wants to play like her older siblings.
  
  Old-fashioned pull-toys are a strangling hazard. If you have these, make sure you watch carefully when your child plays with them, and keep them out of reach when she's finished.
  
  

General Safety

• Cover all outlets with outlet covers to prevent burns and electrocution.
  
  Place sturdy baby gates at the top and bottom of all stairways; opt for the kind that screws to the wall and isn't held in place by pressure.
  
  Never leave children unattended near any kind of open flame or other heat source.
  
  Keep a close eye on kids and pets. The most docile animal could react badly if a child accidentally injures it.