Home Environment Risk Assessments

• General Safety of Rooms:
  • Assess hazards such as sharp edges, unstable furniture, or objects that could be pulled down.
• Electrical Safety:
  • Check for exposed wires, accessible sockets (ensure socket covers are in place), and positioning of electrical appliances.
• Fire Safety:
  • Ensure working smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, and fire blankets are in place. Identify exit routes and conduct fire drills.
• Bathroom Safety:
  • Risk of drowning (bathtubs), slipping, access to cleaning materials or medications.
• Kitchen Safety:
  • Access to sharp objects, hot surfaces, and cleaning products. Secure storage for hazardous materials.
• Staircase Safety:
  • Ensure stair gates are in place for young children. Evaluate the risk of falls or tripping.
• Safe Sleep Area:
  • Ensure the sleep environment follows safe sleep guidelines, with no loose bedding, cords, or other hazards.
• Heating and Cooling Systems:
  • Assess the safety of radiators, fireplaces, space heaters, or air conditioning units.
• Furniture and Toys:
  • Ensure all furniture and toys are age-appropriate, non-toxic, and regularly checked for wear and tear or broken parts.

Safe Sleep Risk Assessment

• Sleep Environment:
  • Ensure sleep spaces are free from suffocation hazards and provide safe sleeping arrangements (e.g., cots, clean bedding).
• Monitoring Sleep:
  • Ensure children are regularly checked while sleeping, particularly young infants.

Manual Handling Risk Assessment

• Lifting and Carrying Children:
• • Assess the risk of injury when lifting or carrying children, particularly for older children who are heavy. Use proper techniques to avoid strain.

Outdoor Space Risk Assessments

• Garden/Park Safety:
  • Ensure the outdoor play area is secure, with no access to hazards like garden ponds, gates, or tools.
• Play Equipment:
  • Regular checks for stability, sharp edges, and suitability for the age group of children.
• Trip Hazards:
  • Identify and address uneven surfaces, steps, or other potential hazards.
• Animals and Pets:
  • Assess the risks of contact with pets, including allergies, bites, or zoonotic infections. Ensure pet areas are separate from children’s play areas.

Outings and Travel Risk Assessments

• Transporting Children (car):
  • Ensure car seats are age-appropriate and properly installed. Assess the risk of traveling on busy roads or motorways.
• Public Transport:
  • Consider risks like crowding, getting on and off buses/trains safely, and supervising children in public spaces.
• Walking to Local Areas:
  • Road safety (crossing streets), ensuring all children hold hands or wear high-visibility clothing.
• Visiting Playgrounds or Public Areas:
  • Check equipment safety and ensure adult supervision in crowded places.
• Risk of Lost Children:
  • Put measures in place for preventing children from wandering off, such as headcounts and keeping them within sight and hearing distance.

Child Supervision Risk Assessments

• General Supervision:
  • Ensure children are always within sight and hearing distance. For activities involving higher risks (e.g., sensory play, mealtimes), more focused supervision may be required.
• Visitors to the Home:
  • Risk-assess visitors to ensure they are never left unsupervised with the children.