I've spent years working with daycare owners on safety compliance, and the same hazards show up over and over. Most of them are cheap and easy to fix — but they're the ones that cause the most incidents.

Here are the top 7 I see:

1. Unsecured furniture — Bookshelves, dressers, and changing tables that aren't anchored to the wall. One curious toddler pulling themselves up and it tips. Wall anchors cost $5.

2. Blind cord loops — Still one of the leading strangulation risks. Replace corded blinds with cordless versions or install cord cleats high on the wall.

3. Gaps in crib slats — If you can fit a soda can through the gap, a baby's head can get stuck. Measure every crib. CPSC standard is no more than 2 3/8 inches.

4. Hot water above 120°F — Burns happen fast. Turn your water heater down to 120°F max and test with a thermometer at every sink kids can reach.

5. Outlet covers that pop out — The cheap plastic plug-in covers are actually a choking hazard when kids pull them out. Use sliding plate covers instead — they're self-closing.

6. Small objects in reach — Coins, buttons, marker caps, broken crayon pieces. Do a daily "small object sweep" at floor level before kids arrive. Anything that fits through a toilet paper roll is a choking hazard.

7. Unlocked cabinets under sinks — Cleaning supplies are the #1 poison risk. Magnetic child locks are invisible, durable, and take 10 minutes to install.

None of these require a big budget. They just require attention.

If you run a daycare or work in childcare, I built TinyGuard Co. specifically for you — curated safety products, compliance checklists, and a community of professionals who actually care about getting this right.