Your home is your family’s safe space. But when a nanny joins your household, it becomes their workplace, too. Conducting a home safety walk-through together sets the stage for open communication, mutual trust, and peace of mind. It allows you and your nanny to identify potential hazards, clarify household rules, and ensure your children’s safety in every corner of the home, whether or not you’re home.

Here’s how to approach a 30-minute safety audit and what to include on your checklist.

1) Why Home Walk-Throughs Matter for Safety with Your Nanny

Many families assume that safety conversations happen naturally over time. But formal walk-throughs help prevent misunderstandings and oversights. They ensure that both you and your nanny are aligned on everything from emergency protocols to everyday routines.

Whether your nanny is new or has been with your family for years, regular home safety reviews reinforce communication, prevent accidents, and provide peace of mind for everyone involved.

2) Your 30-Minute Safety Walk-Through Checklist

a) Start with Common Areas

Walk through living spaces together to identify any immediate hazards.

• Choking hazards: Check for small toys, coins, or loose craft supplies on low surfaces or floors.
• Furniture stability: Ensure bookshelves, dressers, and TVs are anchored to the wall. This is particularly important if you live in an area where earthquakes are common.
• Electrical safety: Verify outlet covers are in place and cords are safely tucked away.
• Emergency exits: Review door and window locks and protocols, and make sure escape routes are clear.

Tip: Discuss your family’s fire safety plan, and make sure your nanny feels comfortable carrying it out if necessary. Show your nanny where fire extinguishers and first-aid kits are located.

b) Review the Kitchen and Food Safety

The kitchen can be one of the most accident-prone areas for children, so it deserves special attention. Safety with your nanny in the kitchen involves the following:

• Appliance safety: Review use of stoves, microwaves, and blenders if the nanny will be preparing food.
• Choking prevention: Discuss age-appropriate food sizes and highlight any foods to avoid.
• Medication and cleaning products: Store all hazardous substances in locked or high cabinets.
• Allergy awareness: Go over your child’s allergy plan and where to find epinephrine injectors or other medications if needed.

c) Address Outdoor and Vehicle Safety

If your home includes a pool, backyard, or electric vehicle (EV) setup, make sure your nanny knows the specific safety rules for each. Safety with your nanny outdoors involves the following:

• Pool areas: Confirm that gates are self-latching, and discuss supervision policies (for example, children never swim without an adult present).
• Play equipment: Ensure with nanny that play gear like swings, slides, and tree houses are safe and in good condition.
• Driveways and EV chargers: Make sure cords are secured and out of reach of children.
• Vehicle safety: If your nanny will drive your children, review car seat installation and your family’s rules for transportation safety.

d) Technology and Smart Home Systems

Modern households often include digital tools that require special attention. Safety with your nanny and your home systems involves the following:

• Smart locks and security systems: Train your nanny on how to arm and disarm alarms and access codes.
• Cameras and baby monitors: Be transparent about where monitoring systems are located and how they are used.
• Wi-Fi–connected devices: Clarify which devices your nanny can use for work purposes and any limits on personal phone or tablet use during work hours.

These conversations promote not only safety but also respect for privacy and household boundaries.

e) Review Medical and Emergency Information

Prepare your nanny to respond quickly and confidently in an emergency.

• Provide a written emergency contact list that includes:
  • Parents’ cell numbers
  • Nearby relatives or neighbors
  • Pediatrician and dentist contacts
  • Local emergency services
  • Any additional emergency contacts
• Review where you keep medical supplies, insurance information, and your child’s health documents.
• Discuss your family’s protocol for medication administration, and maintain an updated medication log for transparency and safety.

3) How to Run a 30-Minute Home Safety Audit Together

• Schedule it early: Ideally, do your first walk-through on or before your nanny’s first day.
• Walk and talk: Physically move through each area of the home together. Encourage questions and feedback from your nanny.
• Take notes: Keep a written checklist of areas that need follow-up, such as installing outlet covers or updating alarm codes.
• Revisit regularly: A quick 15-minute review every few months helps maintain awareness as your children grow or household needs change.

Establishing safety with your nanny is not about micromanaging. It’s about partnership and prevention. A home walk-through creates a foundation of trust and shared responsibility, empowering your nanny to keep your children safe with confidence.

By dedicating just 30 minutes to a thoughtful safety audit, you strengthen your collaboration, prevent accidents, and create a secure environment where your children can truly thrive.