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Here are a few things to keep in mind to protect your family and visitors from hazards around your house.

Remember, a potentially harmful household item may look like a toy to a child.
Keep lighters, matches and other sources of fire out of sight and out of reach.
Store cleaning supplies and chemicals in locked cabinets, and teach children that the hazard symbols on the containers mean "do not touch."
Stay within arm's reach of young children when they are in the bathtub, and never turn your back on them. (Bath seats are not safety devices. They only make it easier for you to bathe your baby.)
Tie up blind cords so kids cannot reach them, even from nearby furniture.
Use baby gates at the top and bottom of stairs for children under 24 months of age. Use hardware-mounted gates at the top of the stairs; they are more secure than pressure-mounted gates.
Double-check to make sure cribs, playpens, infant seats, baby gates, and other products you have purchased have not been recalled. Call the manufacturer or check their website.
Keep cords for electrical appliances out of reach.
Keep children away from the stove and barbecue.
Put window guards on all windows on the second floor and above.
Make sure swimming pools are enclosed by fencing that meets municipal requirements, and keep all doors to the pool locked. Always keep young children within arm's reach when swimming.
Make sure children's products come with detailed instructions for use, and keep them for later reference.

Wipe up spills quickly to prevent falls in the kitchen or bathroom.
Make sure carpeting that covers stairs and stair landings is securely fastened, or replace it with rubber stair treading.
Put handrails and lights around stairs.
Keep stairs, halls and high traffic rooms free of clutter.
Consider using a rubber mat or safety strips in the bathtub to prevent slipping.
Remove ice from walkways around your home.

Develop a fire escape plan and go over it with your family.
Install smoke detectors on each level of your home. Test them monthly and change batteries once a year.
Keep a working fire extinguisher on hand, and make sure everyone in your family knows where it is and how to use it.
Make sure portable heaters are at least one metre away from flammable items such as clothing, bedding or curtains.