Backyard and Pool: Household Safety Checklist

Outdoors/Backyard/Pool

• Are all walkways and outdoor stairways well lit?

• Are all walkways clear of toys, objects, or anything blocking a clear path?

• Are all sidewalks and outdoor stairways free of concrete cracks or missing pieces?

• Are all garbage cans securely covered?

• Are all swing sets parts free from rust, splinters, and sharp edges?

• Are all parts on swing sets or other outdoor equipment securely fastened?

• Is the surface beneath the swing set soft enough (cushioned with material such as sand, mulch, wood chips, or approved rubber surfacing mats) to absorb the shock of a fall?

• Are all outdoor toys put away in a secure, dry place when not in use?

• Is there climb-proof fencing at least 5 feet (1.5 meters) high on all sides of the pool? 

• Does the pool fence have a self-closing gate with a childproof lock?

• If the pool can be accessed through a door to the house, do you have a door alarm installed?

• Have all ladders been removed from an above-ground pool when not in use?

Other Safety Issues

• Have you removed any poisonous houseplants?

• Do you have a no-smoking rule in your home to protect kids from secondhand smoke?

• Has your house been tested for lead, radon, asbestos, mercury, mold, and carbon monoxide?

• If there are guns in the home, are they kept in a locked cabinet with the key hidden and the ammunition locked separately?

• Do you always supervise your child around pets, especially dogs?