Household safety and supervision

In the kitchen

• Have a fire extinguisher or fire blanket located in or close to the kitchen.
• Keep cleaning products and medications out of reach of children.
• Keep knives and other sharp objects out of reach of children; a knife block is a good solution.
• Keep electrical cords for appliances like kettles and blenders out of reach of children.
• Wash hands before preparing food, feeding young children, serving food or eating.
• Wash hands after handling raw food.
• Use a separate cutting board for meat.
• Cook on the back burners of the stove where possible, and position handles out of reach.
• Rinse a cleaning cloth or sponge after use and put it somewhere to dry.

In the bathroom

• Set the hot water system so that tap water is not hotter than 50C.
• Keep hazardous materials including medications and razors out of reach of children.
• Do not keep electrical appliances in the bathroom.
• Use non-slip mats in the shower and bath.
• Wash hands after using the toilet or changing a nappy.
• Wash toothbrushes in hot water and keep them away from the toilet and sink to prevent contamination.
• Never leave babies, infants and small children alone in the bath
• Wash hands before giving someone medicine or first aid.
• Wash hands after having contact with blood or body fluids, coughing or sneezing or blowing your nose.
• Wear rubber gloves when someone in the house is sick or injured and you are dealing with bodily fluids, blood, faeces and vomit.
• Properly dispose of used bandaids, bandages and needles.

Around the house

• Locate furniture away from windows to ensure a child can’t climb up and out of a window.
• Locate heaters at least one metre away from anything flammable, such as curtains.
• Clean surfaces regularly, particularly those that are touched often like doorknobs and stair rails.
• Clean surfaces frequently when someone is ill and immediately if contaminated by bodily fluids, blood, faeces or vomit.
• Clean a baby’s change table at least daily and whenever dirty.
• Regularly wash children’s toys.
• Keep pets clean and regularly empty litter trays.
• Install an electrical safety switch to minimise the risk of electric shocks and injuries, deaths or fires.
• Use power boards in electric sockets instead of double adapters, and do not overload them.
• Switch off and unplug electrical appliances when not in use.
• Do not use extension cords in areas where they may be tripped over or pulled out accidentally.
• Do not run extension cords under carpeting or rugs, as they may overheat.
• Attach safety barriers to the top and bottom of stairs to prevent falls if there is a baby or infant in the home.
• Keep cords for blinds and curtains out of reach of children.
• Install at least one working smoke alarm on each level of your home (this is a legal requirement in NSW and anyone who does not comply is guilty of an offence and can be fined).
• Keep smoke alarms in working order; check twice a year and change batteries once a year.
• Have a fire escape plan and practise it regularly (for tips about home fire safety go to NSW Fire & Rescue).
• Keep handy the phone numbers of the police, fire brigade, ambulance and NSW Poisons Information Centre so all members of your household can find them easily.