June is National Safety Month—a great time to do a safety check around the home and beyond. Kids grow quickly, and so do the ways they explore the world around them. Below are a few practical ways to help keep your home safer for children and teens.
1. Teach Digital Safety
It’s important to teach young people how to stay safe in digital spaces. Remind them never to share personal information like their full name, address, school name, or phone number with anyone online. Encourage strong, unique passwords and stress the importance of keeping them private—even from friends. Make sure they know that not everyone online is who they say they are, and they should never agree to meet someone in person that they’ve only met virtually. Keeping the conversation open about their online activity helps you stay informed and keeps them safer.
2. Practice Fire Safety
Take time to go over a fire escape plan as a family so everyone knows what to do in an emergency, including how to call 911, how to safely get outside, and where to meet up in the event of a home fire. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are must-haves in any home—make sure you have one on every level and test them monthly to be sure they’re working. For little ones, use outlet covers and keep cords out of reach. With teens, talk about staying safe around heat and electricity—like not using hair dryers near water or overloading outlets.
3. Prevent Falls and Everyday Accidents
Make sure the home is a safe place to explore. Secure large furniture like bookcases and TV stands to the wall, and install safety gates on stairs for young children. Keep furniture away from windows, and teach older kids not to lean or climb near them. Use non-slip surfaces on stairs and eliminate tripping hazards like loose rugs or cluttered floors. Always ensure that children of all ages wear helmets and seat belts when they're off on an adventure.
4. Keep Hazards Out of Reach
Keep choking hazards like small toys, magnets, and coins off the floor if you live with young children. Lock up cleaning supplies, medications, batteries, alcohol, and be mindful that some houseplants can be toxic if touched or eaten, so it’s best to keep those well out of reach or choose kid-safe varieties. Teach older children to keep potentially harmful items like candy, gum, or craft materials out of reach of younger siblings. Use childproof trash cans and avoid storing anything in plastic bags that could cause suffocation!
5. Teach Personal Awareness
As kids grow more independent, personal safety becomes increasingly important. Teach children not to open the door to strangers, even if adults are home. Practice what to do if they feel unsafe or someone knocks unexpectedly. Encourage teens to stay alert when out walking or exercising—wear only one earbud and avoid distractions so they can stay aware of their surroundings. Make sure children knows their full home address and a parent or guardian’s phone number—it's simple, essential info that can help them stay safe in an emergency.
Creating a safe home doesn’t happen all at once—it’s an ongoing process. As your children grow and change, so should your home safety measures. Taking time this National Safety Month to make age-appropriate updates—whether for toddlers, school-age kids, or teens—can go a long way in protecting the ones you love.
