Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death for children aged 1-14. Young children spend most of their time at home, making them more vulnerable to home injuries. Many of these injuries are preventable with proper education and safety measures. By addressing common household hazards, we can significantly reduce the risk of injury and create a safer living environment for children.

Child Housing Assessment for a Safer Environment Teach-Out

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There are 14 modules in this course
What's included
3 videos4 readings
3 videos•Total 45 minutes
- Welcome & Introduction: Child Housing Assessment for a Safer Environment (CHASE)•2 minutes
- Home Injuries 101•20 minutes
- Communicating as a Home Visitor•23 minutes
4 readings•Total 32 minutes
- Welcome to the Child Housing Assessment for a Safer Environment Teach-Out!•10 minutes
- Who this Teach-out Is For and How CHASE Is Used•10 minutes
- Who made this Teach-Out Possible?•2 minutes
- Further academic reading•10 minutes
This module provides educational materials on carbon monoxide safety, guidance for assessing home risks, and strategies to reduce exposure through effective modifications.
What's included
1 video5 readings1 discussion prompt1 plugin
1 video•Total 3 minutes
- Understanding Carbon Monoxide Risks•3 minutes
5 readings•Total 110 minutes
- Written Protocol for Carbon Monoxide Assessment•30 minutes
- Written Protocol for Carbon Monoxide Alarm Installation•30 minutes
- Carbon Monoxide Alarm Tips•30 minutes
- Carbon Monoxide Checklist•10 minutes
- Further academic reading•10 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
- What are the steps necessary to check if your CO alarm is working?•10 minutes
1 plugin•Total 2 minutes
- How To Install Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors•2 minutes
This module provides educational materials on the risks of furniture falling, guidance for assessing potential furniture hazards in the home, and strategies to secure furniture for enhanced safety.
What's included
1 video5 readings1 discussion prompt1 plugin
1 video•Total 2 minutes
- Understanding the Risks of Falling Furniture•2 minutes
5 readings•Total 130 minutes
- Written Protocol for Assessing Falling Furniture•30 minutes
- Written Protocol for Anchoring Furniture•30 minutes
- Tips to Prevent Falling Furniture•30 minutes
- Preventing Furniture Tip-Overs•10 minutes
- Further academic reading•30 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
- What furniture in your home is at risk of tipping over? What could you do to prevent tippage?•10 minutes
1 plugin•Total 2 minutes
- How to Anchor Furniture to the Wall•2 minutes
This module provides assessors with the knowledge and skills to identify fire risks, assess potential hazards in homes, and implement strategies to prevent fires and enhance safety. Assessors will also learn about tools and techniques for fire prevention and fire safety education.
What's included
1 video7 readings1 discussion prompt1 plugin
1 video•Total 4 minutes
- Evaluating Fire Safety Measures•4 minutes
7 readings•Total 190 minutes
- Written Protocol to Assess Fire Safety: Smoke Alarm Installation•30 minutes
- Written Protocol to Assess Fire Safety: Fire Exit•30 minutes
- Written Protocol for Modifying Fire Safety: Smoke Alarm Installation•30 minutes
- Written Protocol for Modifying Fire Safety: Fire Exit•30 minutes
- Fire Safety and Escape tips•30 minutes
- Prepare for Fire and Home Fire Escape Plans•10 minutes
- Smoke Alarm - FEMA FAQs•30 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
- Does your family currently have a fire escape safety plan? What would you do if there is a fire in the home?•10 minutes
1 plugin•Total 1 minute
- Making a Home Fire Escape Plan•1 minute
This module provides assessors with the knowledge and skills to identify bathroom safety risks, assess potential hazards in bathrooms, and implement strategies to prevent falls and enhance safety. Assessors will also learn about tools and techniques for fall prevention and bathroom safety education.
What's included
2 videos9 readings1 discussion prompt1 plugin
2 videos•Total 7 minutes
- Preventing Bathroom Falls•3 minutes
- Installing Safety Equipment in the Bathroom•5 minutes
9 readings•Total 170 minutes
- Written Protocol for Assessing Bathroom Safety Measures - Slippery Surface•30 minutes
- Written Protocol for Assessing Bathroom Safety Measures - Bathroom/Shower Doors•10 minutes
- Written Protocol for Assessing Bathroom Safety Measures - Grab Bars•10 minutes
- Written Protocol for Modifying Bathroom Safety Measures - Slippery Surfaces•10 minutes
- Written Protocol for Modifying Bathroom Safety Measures - Bathtub/shower doors•30 minutes
- Written Protocol for Modifying Bathroom Safety Measures - Grab Bars•10 minutes
- Tips to prevent bathroom falls•30 minutes
- Bathroom Safety Tips for Infants & Young Children •10 minutes
- Further academic reading•30 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
- What preventative measures do you already have against slipping? If none, how might you modify your bathroom in support of this?•10 minutes
1 plugin•Total 4 minutes
- Modification of grab bar installation•4 minutes
This module provides assessors with the knowledge and skills to identify window fall risks, assess potential hazards in the home, and implement strategies to prevent falls and enhance safety. Assessors will also learn about tools and techniques for fall prevention and window falls safety education.
What's included
1 video5 readings2 discussion prompts1 plugin
1 video•Total 3 minutes
- Preventing Window Falls•3 minutes
5 readings•Total 130 minutes
- Written Protocol for Assessing Window Safety•30 minutes
- Written Protocol for Modifications for Window Safety•30 minutes
- Tips to prevent window falls•30 minutes
- Educational materials for window guards from Seattle Children's hospital•10 minutes
- Further academic reading•30 minutes
2 discussion prompts•Total 20 minutes
- How can you enhance window safety in your home?•10 minutes
- How many windows do you need to add window safety devices to? What type of device will you use?•10 minutes
1 plugin•Total 2 minutes
- Video: Preventing Window Falls (UW Medicine)•2 minutes
This module provides educational materials on stair safety, guidance for assessing risks associated with staircases, and strategies to reduce fall hazards through effective modifications. Assessors will also learn about the importance of proper lighting, handrails, and other safety features in preventing stair-related injuries.
What's included
5 videos11 readings1 discussion prompt1 plugin
5 videos•Total 9 minutes
- Understanding Stair Risks•1 minute
- Preventing Stair Falls: Interior Stairs•3 minutes
- Preventing Stair Falls: Carpets and Runners•2 minutes
- Preventing Stair Falls: Handrails•2 minutes
- Preventing Stair Falls: Railings•1 minute
11 readings•Total 170 minutes
- Written Protocol for Stair Safety Assessment: Interior Stairs•30 minutes
- Written Protocol for Stair Safety Assessment: Carpets and Runners•10 minutes
- Written Protocol for Stair Safety Assessment: Handrails•10 minutes
- Written Protocol for Stair Safety Assessment: Railings•10 minutes
- Written Protocol for Stair Safety Modification: Interior Stairs•10 minutes
- Written Protocol for Stair Safety Modification: Carpets and Runners•10 minutes
- Written Protocol for Stair Safety Modification: Handrails•10 minutes
- Written Protocol for Stair Safety Modification: Railings•10 minutes
- Tips to prevent stair falls•30 minutes
- Nationwide Children's Hospital Home Stair Safety•10 minutes
- Further academic reading•30 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
- What steps can you take to make stairs safer in your home?•10 minutes
1 plugin•Total 2 minutes
- How to Install a Stair Handrail •2 minutes
This module provides educational materials on hot water safety, guidance for assessing risks associated with hot water systems, and strategies to reduce scalding hazards through effective modifications. Assessors will also learn about the importance of proper water temperature settings, and other safety measures in preventing hot water-related injuries.
What's included
1 video5 readings2 discussion prompts1 plugin
1 video•Total 3 minutes
- Understanding Hot Water Safety•3 minutes
5 readings•Total 110 minutes
- Written Protocol for Water Temperature Assessment•30 minutes
- Written Protocol for Hot Water Safety Modifications•30 minutes
- Tips to prevent hot water burns•30 minutes
- CPSC Safety Alert: Avoiding Tap Water Scalds•10 minutes
- Further academic reading•10 minutes
2 discussion prompts•Total 20 minutes
- How hot is your water temperature currently? Do you know how to change the temperature?•10 minutes
- Check your water temperature and adjust it to a safe level.•10 minutes
1 plugin•Total 2 minutes
- How to Change Temperature on a Water Heater•2 minutes
This module provides educational materials on electrical safety, guidance for assessing risks associated with electrical systems in the home, and strategies to reduce hazards through effective modifications. Assessors will also learn about the importance of proper wiring, and other safety features in preventing electrical injuries.
What's included
2 videos7 readings2 discussion prompts1 plugin
2 videos•Total 5 minutes
- Electrical Fire Prevention•2 minutes
- Electrical Tripping Hazards•2 minutes
7 readings•Total 190 minutes
- Written Protocol for Electrical Safety Assessment: Electrical Fire or Shock •30 minutes
- Written Protocol for Electrical Safety Assessment: Falls•30 minutes
- Written Protocol for Electrical Safety Modification: Falls•30 minutes
- Written Protocol for Electrical Safety Modification: Electrical Fire or Shock•30 minutes
- Tips to prevent electrical tripping hazards•30 minutes
- Home Electrical Safety Checklist (CPSC)•10 minutes
- Further reading•30 minutes
2 discussion prompts•Total 20 minutes
- What steps can you take to reduce the risk of electrical hazards in your home?•10 minutes
- Conduct an electrical safety check and remove any hazards•10 minutes
1 plugin•Total 3 minutes
- How to modify electrical risks•3 minutes
This module provides educational materials on poison storage safety, guidance for assessing risks associated with unsafe storage practices in the home, and strategies to reduce hazards through effective modifications. Assessors will also learn about the importance of proper storage techniques, child-proofing methods, and other safety measures to prevent unintentional poisonings.
What's included
1 video6 readings2 discussion prompts1 plugin
1 video•Total 3 minutes
- Safe Storage of Medicines and Household Products•3 minutes
6 readings•Total 140 minutes
- Written Protocol for Poison Storage Safety Assessment•30 minutes
- Written Protocol for Poison Storage Safety Modifications•30 minutes
- Safe Medicine Storage: A Look at the Disconnect Between Parent Knowledge and Behavior•30 minutes
- Poison Prevention (CPSC)•10 minutes
- Poison-proof Your Home: One Room at a Time•10 minutes
- Further academic reading•30 minutes
2 discussion prompts•Total 20 minutes
- What steps can you take today to reduce the risk of poisoning in your home?•10 minutes
- Conduct a medicine safety check and remove any hazards•10 minutes
1 plugin•Total 2 minutes
- Poisoning Risks at Home•2 minutes
This module provides educational materials on window cord safety, guidance for assessing risks associated with window safety in the home, and strategies to reduce hazards through effective modifications.
What's included
1 video5 readings2 discussion prompts1 plugin
1 video•Total 2 minutes
- Preventing Strangulation from Windows•2 minutes
5 readings•Total 130 minutes
- Written Protocol for Window Cord Safety Assessment•30 minutes
- Written Protocol for Window Cord Safety Modification•30 minutes
- Tips to prevent strangulation•30 minutes
- Window Covering Cords•10 minutes
- Further academic reading•30 minutes
2 discussion prompts•Total 20 minutes
- How can you eliminate strangulation hazards in your home?•10 minutes
- Update or remove window cords to ensure safety•10 minutes
1 plugin•Total 2 minutes
- How to modify to window cords•2 minutes
This module provides educational materials on stairgate safety, guidance for assessing risks in the home, and strategies to reduce injuries through correct installation, usage, and maintenance. Participants will learn to identify common hazards, recommend safe practices, and emphasize the importance of stairgates as a key injury prevention measure.
What's included
4 readings1 discussion prompt2 plugins
4 readings•Total 120 minutes
- Written Protocol for Stair Gate Safety Assessment•30 minutes
- Written Protocol for Stair Gate Safety Modification•30 minutes
- Tips to prevent stair falls•30 minutes
- Further academic reading•30 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
- How can you properly install stair gates to prevent falls?•10 minutes
2 plugins•Total 8 minutes
- Assessing Stair Gates•4 minutes
- How to modify to Stair Gates•4 minutes
This module provides educational materials on protruding nail safety, guidance for assessing risks in the home, and strategies to mitigate hazards through effective repairs and modifications. Assessors will also learn the importance of regular inspections, proper repair techniques, and proactive maintenance to prevent injuries caused by exposed nails.
What's included
1 video4 readings1 discussion prompt
1 video•Total 2 minutes
- Understanding protruding nail injury prevention•2 minutes
4 readings•Total 120 minutes
- Written Protocol for Protruding Nails Assessment•30 minutes
- Written Protocol for Protruding Nail Modification•30 minutes
- Tips to prevent injuries from protruding nails or screws•30 minutes
- Further academic reading•30 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
- How can you repair and/or remove protruding nails from your home?•10 minutes
What's included
4 readings
4 readings•Total 40 minutes
- ALL CHASE Protocols for Assessment & Modification •10 minutes
- CHASE Family Feedback Form •10 minutes
- CHASE Educational Materials Combined•10 minutes
- CHASE Comprehensive Environmental Assessment•10 minutes
Instructor

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Frequently asked questions
What is the CHASE Teach-Out?
The CHASE Teach-Out is a comprehensive online course focused on preventing child injuries in the home. It provides structured guidance on identifying common household hazards and understanding practical strategies to reduce risk.
The course combines educational videos, visual demonstrations, and practical materials across multiple injury prevention domains.
Who should take this course?
The CHASE Teach-Out is designed for anyone interested in preventing child home injuries, including: Healthy Homes and housing professionals; maternal-child health and home visiting staff; public health professionals; childcare providers; and parents and caregivers. The course is accessible to both professionals and individuals seeking to improve home safety.
Do I need technical or housing experience to take this course?
No. The course explains injury risks and prevention strategies in clear, practical terms. Participants are encouraged to apply what they learn within their own role, authority, and experience level.
What topics does the course cover?
The CHASE Teach-Out addresses major child home injury risk areas, including carbon monoxide safety, fire safety and escape planning, falls prevention, window safety, electrical safety, scald prevention, poison storage, strangulation hazards, and stair gate safety.
Each module explains why the hazard matters and how risk can be reduced.
Is this course only for people who conduct home inspections?
No. While the framework was originally developed for home-based assessment programs, the course is modular and adaptable. Participants can use it for education, professional development, structured screening conversations, or personal home safety planning.
Does this course require me to perform home repairs?
No. The course explains when professional repair may be necessary and when simple environmental changes can reduce risk. Participants should always act within their own role and authority.
Can I use only certain parts of the course?
Yes. The CHASE Teach-Out is modular. Individuals and organizations may complete the full curriculum or focus on specific injury domains most relevant to their needs.
How is this course different from other child safety resources?
Many child injury prevention materials address individual hazards. CHASE provides a structured, comprehensive framework that ensures all major home injury risks are considered.
It is designed to be both practical and systematic.
Is this course appropriate for parents and caregivers?
Yes. Parents and caregivers can use CHASE to conduct a structured review of their own home and identify opportunities to reduce injury risk.
The course does not replace professional inspections but supports informed safety planning.
What is the overall goal of the CHASE Teach-Out?
The goal is to provide a clear, comprehensive foundation for understanding and preventing child injuries in the home. Whether used for professional training or personal safety planning, CHASE supports safer home environments for children.
Is the CHASE framework evidence-informed?
Yes. The CHASE assessment tool was developed and evaluated within Healthy Homes programs.
In one study, CHASE was significantly more likely than HUD’s Housing Quality Standards (HQS) tool to detect injury hazards in the homes of injured children. It also uniquely assessed child-specific risks that are not consistently addressed in traditional housing inspection tools, such as furniture tipping and unsafe medication storage.
A longitudinal study of 300 households in Baltimore further examined how CHASE functioned in practice, including its feasibility, acceptability, and sustainability from the perspectives of both assessors and participating families.
This Teach-Out translates the CHASE tool into an accessible training course designed to support safer home environments for children.
To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
More questions
Financial aid available,