BE SURE YOUR CHILD CARE SETTING

IS AS SAFE AS IT CAN BE

About 31,000 children, 4 years old and younger, were treated in U.S.

hospital emergency rooms for injuries at child care/school 

settings in 1997. CPSC is aware of at least 56 children

who have died in child care settings since 1990. 

In a recent national study, CPSC staff visited

a number of child care settings and found

that two-thirds of them had one or more

potentially serious hazards. Use the safety tips

in this checklist to help keep young children safe.
BE SURE YOUR CHILD CARE SETTING

IS AS SAFE AS IT CAN BE

About 31,000 children, 4 years old and younger, were treated in U.S.

hospital emergency rooms for injuries at child care/school 

settings in 1997. CPSC is aware of at least 56 children

who have died in child care settings since 1990. 

In a recent national study, CPSC staff visited

a number of child care settings and found

that two-thirds of them had one or more

potentially serious hazards. Use the safety tips

in this checklist to help keep young children safe.
Child Care

SAFETY CHECKLIST FOR PARENTS AND 

CHILD CARE PROVIDERS

CRIBS

Make sure cribs meet current national safety standards and are

in good condition. Look for a certification safety seal. Older

cribs may not meet current standards. Crib slats should be no

more than 2 3/8” apart, and mattresses should fit snugly.

■ This can prevent strangulation and suffocation associated with older cribs

and mattresses that are too small.

SOFT BEDDING

Be sure that no pillows, soft bedding, or comforters are used

when you put babies to sleep. Babies should be put to sleep on

their backs in a crib with a firm, flat mattress.

■ This can help reduce Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) 

and suffocation related to soft bedding.

PLAYGROUND SURFACING

Look for safe surfacing on outdoor playgrounds – at least 12 inches of

wood chips, mulch, sand or pea gravel, or mats made of safety-tested

rubber or rubber-like materials.

■ This helps protect against injuries from falls, especially head injuries.

PLAYGROUND MAINTENANCE

Check playground surfacing and equipment regularly to make sure they

are maintained in good condition.

■ This can help prevent injuries, especially from falls.
SAFETY GATES

Be sure that safety gates are used to keep children away

from potentially dangerous areas, especially stairs.

■ Safety gates can protect against many hazards, especially falls.

WINDOW BLIND AND CURTAIN CORDS

Be sure miniblinds and venetian blinds do not have looped

cords. Check that vertical blinds, continuous looped blinds,

and drapery cords have tension or tie-down devices to hold

cords tight. Check that inner cord stops have been installed.

These safety devices can prevent strangulation in loops of window blind

& curtain cords. See windowcoverings.org for more safety info.

CLOTHING DRAWSTRINGS

Be sure there are no drawstrings around the hood and

neck of children’s outerwear clothing. Other types of clothing fasteners, like snaps,

zippers, or hook and loop fasteners (such as Velcro), should be used.

■ Drawstrings can catch on playground and other equipment and can

strangle young children. 

RECALLED PRODUCTS

Check that no recalled products are being used and

that a current list of recalled children’s products is

readily visible. 

■ Recalled products pose a threat of injury or death. Displaying a list

of recalled products will remind caretakers and parents to remove or

repair potentially dangerous children’s toys and products.
IS AS SAFE AS IT CAN BE

About 31,000 children, 4 years old and younger, were treated in U.S.

hospital emergency rooms for injuries at child care/school 

settings in 1997. CPSC is aware of at least 56 children

who have died in child care settings since 1990. 

In a recent national study, CPSC staff visited

a number of child care settings and found

that two-thirds of them had one or more

potentially serious hazards. Use the safety tips

in this checklist to help keep young children safe.