This is general information. For current rules, recalls and product guidance in the United States, check the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Outside the US, check your national product safety agency. For a child's health or development, ask your pediatrician.
Furniture and TVs
Furniture and TV tip-overs injure many young children in the United States every year, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Children climb shelves, pull out drawers to use as steps, and reach for things on top. A unit that seems steady to an adult can fall when a child's weight is on the front.
- Anchor bookcases, dressers, cube units and tall shelves to the wall, including short units.
- Mount TVs to the wall or anchor them to a stable base. Avoid placing a TV on top of a dresser.
- Store heavy items on low shelves and in bottom drawers.
- Keep toys, remotes and other tempting items off the top of furniture.
- Recheck anchors after moving furniture or rearranging the room.
The anchoring guide walks through how to do it. The CPSC also runs a tip-over prevention campaign called Anchor It with more guidance.
Cords and outlets
- Choose cordless window coverings in a playroom, or keep blind and curtain cords short and well out of reach. Loose cords can wrap around a child's neck.
- Keep beds, cribs, sofas and climbable furniture away from windows and their cords.
- Route electrical cords behind furniture or along walls, and don't run them under rugs where they can overheat or wear.
- Use outlet covers on standard outlets. Many newer homes have tamper-resistant outlets that block objects pushed into one slot.
- Keep chargers, extension cords and power strips out of reach of small children.
Small parts and choking
Children under three put things in their mouths, and small objects can block their airway. US rules ban small parts in toys meant for children under three. A common rule of thumb at home: if an object fits inside a toilet paper tube, treat it as a choking hazard for a young child.
- Follow the age labels on toys. An "ages 3 and up" label often means there are small parts.
- Keep older children's toys with small parts in lidded boxes on higher shelves.
- Check the floor for small items, coins, marbles, balloon pieces and broken bits.
- Uninflated and broken balloons are a known choking risk for children. Keep them away from young kids.
Button batteries, magnets and water beads
A few small household items are especially dangerous if swallowed:
- Button and coin batteries can cause serious internal burns within hours. Keep spare batteries locked away, and check that battery compartments on toys and remotes are secure.
- Small high-powered magnets can attract each other through the intestines if a child swallows more than one.
- Water beads can expand inside the body after being swallowed. The CPSC has issued warnings about them.
If you think a child has swallowed a battery, a magnet or anything harmful, get medical help right away. In the US, Poison Help is available at 1-800-222-1222, and for an emergency call 911.
Toy chests and closets
- Use toy chests with a lid support that holds the lid open in any position, or remove the lid.
- Make sure any chest or closet a child can climb into has ventilation and can be opened from the inside.
- Check hinges and drawer slides for pinch points.
Recalls and secondhand items
Hand-me-down and secondhand toys and furniture are a great way to furnish a playroom. Check them for recalls before use. The CPSC publishes recall notices on its website, and you can search by product type. Look over used items for loose parts, sharp edges, chipped paint and missing hardware.
Supervision still matters
A safer room reduces risk, but it doesn't replace an adult nearby. How close you need to be depends on your child's age and the activity. Your pediatrician can help with questions about safety at each stage.