7 Things ER Pediatricians Would Never Let Kids Keep In Their Rooms

When we hear the term “childproofing,” we often think of ways to make our homes safe for babies and toddlers, like installing baby gates and covering up electrical outlets. But it’s just as important to make sure our kids’ rooms continue to be safe as they get older.

“We frequently [consider] safety tips for … children 3 and under, but it is [key] to remember that a lot of injuries actually happen more frequently the more mobile your children are,” said Dr. Anita Patel, critical care specialist at Children’s National Hospital.

The home is one of the most common places where kids get injured and then end up in the emergency department — and many of these injuries are preventable, added Dr. Brad Sobolewski, emergency medicine physician at Cincinnati Children’s.

“Safety in the home is critical because accidents happen quickly, and the home is where children spend most of their time,” he said. “Simple adjustments … can go a long way in preventing a trip to the emergency department.”

We talked to Patel and Sobolewski about unexpected items they would never allow in kids’ rooms, why they can be harmful and what to use instead.

“One of the most terrifying and frankly devastating injuries children can experience is when a chest of drawers or bookshelf is not mounted and falls on a young child,” Patel said.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission reported in 2023 that there was an annual average of about 6,400 child injuries treated in the emergency department from furniture tip-overs.

“Dressers, shelves and other items that children can climb should be … secured to the wall, ideally into studs or with drywall anchors with provided hardware,” Sobolewski said.

Patel added that standing mirrors are also at risk for tipping over and should be mounted to walls.

So at what age is it safe to unmount furniture and mirrors?

Patel recommends always having heavy furniture mounted with kids in the house. For lighter items, like a standing mirror, she considers two factors: 1) If the mirror falls, would it hurt the child? 2) Would the child be able to get out without help?

“I hesitate to give ages as different kids have different levels of activity and developmental stages,” she added. “But personally, I … would not unmount [a standing mirror] until [the] child is in [their] early teens.

While a toy chest may seem like the perfect way to store stuffed animals, blocks and other toys, certain types can actually be dangerous.

“Toy chests may seem innocent, but those with heavy, hinged lids can fall unexpectedly, injuring children’s fingers or heads,” Sobolewski explained. “Children can also trap themselves inside, risking suffocation if they become stuck.”

Instead, the CPSC advises using toy chests or bins that have sliding doors, lightweight, removable lids or no lids at all. If parents already have a chest with a heavy lid, it’s recommended they remove it. Another option is to install a lid support to keep it open.

“A sad and frequently accidental injury … is strangulation from window blinds,” Patel said. “For that reason, we removed all corded window blinds [from our kid’s room] or secured the cord out of reach.”

Numerous kids die every year from window coverings with cords, and these types of incidents affect kids up to 8 years old, according to the CPSC. When purchasing window coverings, look for the word “cordless” in the product description.

Sobolewski suggested you also avoid long electrical cords because a child may become entangled in them, which can lead to injury.

“Try to position furniture and electronics near outlets so cords are not stretched across the room,” he said. “If long cords are unavoidable, consider using a cord shortener or cord cover.”

You can also try cordless or battery-operated devices instead, he added.

Bunk beds maximize space and can be fun when your kid is sharing a room or having a sleepover.

“[But] bunk beds are responsible for many injuries due to falls,” Sobolewski said. “Rails may not be enough to prevent falls, and climbing ladders can also be dangerous.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that kids under 6 years old not sleep on the top bunk. They are especially at risk of falling, which can cause head injuries, Sobolewski explained.

When you do use a bunk bed, place it in the corner of the room so there are two walls surrounding it, install guardrails on both sides of the top bunk, and add a night light near the ladder, according to the AAP and Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

“These can be tempting during colder months but pose a fire hazard, especially in a child’s room,” Sobolewski said. “Children may accidentally place flammable items like blankets near the heater, leading to burns or even fires.”

About 4,000 deaths and 20,000 hospitalizations occur every year because of fires and burns, according to the AAP. Winter is especially dangerous because of devices like space heaters.

Kids under the age of 6 are more likely to knock over objects like a space heater, but even older kids may not know how to safely use the device, Sobolewski said.

“Instead of space heaters, it’s recommended to use extra blankets, properly layered bedding or sleep sacks to keep children warm,” he explained.

You can also look into upgrading insulation in the room and using a central heating system to reduce the risk of fires and burns.

When you need more lighting in a room, a floor lamp is a common fix. However, these can be risky in a kid’s bedroom.

“These can be knocked over easily, especially if children are running around or climbing,” Sobolewski said. “Additionally, exposed light bulbs can get hot enough to cause burns.”

Overhead lighting, desk lamps or wall-mounted lamps are safer alternatives as long as they are securely anchored, he advised. Cool-to-touch or LED light bulbs can also help prevent burns.

“While they are becoming popular for improving sleep and helping with anxiety, weighted blankets can pose a suffocation risk for younger children, especially those under 5,” Sobolewski said. “The weight can restrict their movement or ability to adjust the blanket safely during sleep.”

The AAP also emphasized the importance of not using weighted blankets, sleepers, swaddles and other sleep products for infants. They can lead to lower oxygen levels and an increased chance of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). In fact, several major retailers recently announced they have stopped selling weighted infant sleep products altogether.

“As children get older, the types of hazards change,” Sobolewski said. “It’s always a good idea for parents to keep revisiting safety measures as their children grow.”

He also recommends keeping kids’ rooms decluttered and including older kids in conversations about safety so they feel responsible and aware. Additionally, you can regularly check for furniture and other product recalls on the CPSC’s website.

“Thinking proactively about safety and anticipating possible hazards can significantly reduce the risk of these common household accidents,” he said.