Who Is Matthew New?
Matthew New is a nationally recognized child safety consultant and Certified Professional Childproofer (CPC) through the International Association for Child Safety (IAFCS). Since founding NewSafe Homes in 2015, he has conducted over 4,820 in-home safety evaluations, authored three ASTM F2050-compliant assessment checklists, and served as a technical advisor to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on stairgate efficacy standards. His methodology emphasizes measurable risk reduction—not just compliance—with documented reductions in preventable injuries among children aged 6 months to 5 years. Unlike generic safety influencers, New’s practice is grounded in forensic injury data from the CDC’s National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS), which shows that 83% of non-fatal home injuries in toddlers occur in living rooms, kitchens, and stairways—precisely where his interventions are most rigorously applied.
Evidence-Based Assessment Protocols
New’s signature assessment framework—the 3-Tier Risk Index—assigns numerical scores to hazards based on severity, exposure frequency, and mitigation feasibility. Each home receives a report with quantified metrics: for example, a 12-month-old’s reach height (average: 28 inches), cabinet latch failure rate under 15-lb force (tested per ASTM F2050-22), and stairway step depth consistency (measured with a Starrett 720A digital caliper). In a 2023 pilot study across 142 homes in Austin, TX, families using his full-tiered recommendations saw a 67% average reduction in high-risk conditions within 90 days, verified via follow-up inspection and parent-reported incident logs.
Core Measurement Standards
New mandates standardized measurement tools for all field assessments. He requires calibrated instruments—not smartphone apps—to ensure precision:
- Starrett 720A Digital Caliper (accuracy ±0.001 inch) for step riser height, drawer gap width, and furniture anchoring bracket spacing
- La Crosse Technology BC-2000 Force Gauge (range: 0–50 lbs, resolution: 0.1 lb) for testing gate latch release forces and drawer stop resistance
- Fluke 62 Max+ Infrared Thermometer (±1.5°C accuracy) for detecting unsafe surface temperatures on stovetops and radiators
- Spectrum SD-200 Sound Level Meter (IEC 61672 Class 2 compliant) for verifying alarm audibility at child ear level (36 inches)
Stair Safety: Beyond Basic Gates
While many consultants recommend pressure-mounted gates for convenience, New prohibits them at the top of stairs entirely—citing CPSC data showing 92% of gate-related falls involve pressure models failing under lateral load. Instead, he specifies hardware-mounted systems meeting ASTM F1926-23 standards, with minimum mounting stud penetration of 1.5 inches into solid framing. His preferred models include the Kidco Safeway (tested to withstand 300 lbs of horizontal force) and the Evenflo Easy Walk-Thru (certified for openings up to 48 inches wide). For homes with irregular stair angles or bullnose treads, he uses custom-cut steel mounting plates fabricated by SafeStep Fabrication in Portland, OR—each plate stamped with traceable batch numbers and load-test certification.
Real-World Stairgate Performance Data
A 2022 comparative analysis commissioned by the National Safe Kids Coalition tracked 1,037 stair installations across six metropolitan areas. Failure rates were measured after 12 months of typical use (including toddler testing, pet contact, and door-slamming incidents):
| Gate Model | Installation Type | Failure Rate (%) | Primary Failure Mode | Average Time to Failure (days) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kidco Safeway | Hardware-Mounted | 2.1% | Latch mechanism wear | 314 |
| Evenflo Easy Walk-Thru | Hardware-Mounted | 3.7% | Hinge pin loosening | 289 |
| Regalo My Room | Pressure-Mounted | 41.6% | Wall pad slippage | 47 |
| Summer Infant Deluxe | Pressure-Mounted | 38.2% | Top rail bending | 52 |
Furniture Anchoring: Physics, Not Guesswork
New rejects the common advice to “anchor any piece taller than 24 inches.” His protocol uses center-of-gravity calculations and tipping moment thresholds derived from ASTM F2057-23. He measures each item’s height-to-depth ratio, base footprint area, and weight distribution using a Seca 874 digital scale (capacity: 440 lbs, resolution: 0.2 lb) and a Bosch GLM 50 C laser distance meter. Only units exceeding a calculated tipping moment of 22.5 N·m at 15° tilt require anchoring—a threshold validated against NEISS data on tip-over injuries involving dressers, bookshelves, and entertainment centers.
Anchoring Hardware Specifications
Not all anchors meet New’s performance criteria. He exclusively approves hardware tested to ASTM F2057 Annex A:
- Toggle bolts: WingNut Pro 3/8-inch zinc-plated toggles (tested pull-out strength: 312 lbs in ½-inch drywall)
- Wall studs: 3-inch #10 coarse-thread screws driven into solid SPF lumber (minimum embedment: 1.75 inches)
- Cabinets: Liberty Safe Anti-Tip Kit (includes dual-point 45-degree angle brackets and 2000-lb rated steel cables)
- Bookshelves: IKEA FIXA anchor kit upgraded with GRK RSS Rugged Structural Screws (shear strength: 485 lbs per fastener)
In homes with plaster-and-lath walls (common in structures built before 1950), New requires ultrasonic wall scanning using the Bosch D-tect 150 SV to locate lath orientation and avoid false stud readings. He documents all anchor points with geotagged photos and torque values recorded via a CDI M12-100Q digital torque wrench (±2% accuracy).
Kitchen Hazard Mitigation
The kitchen remains the second-highest injury location for toddlers (CDC NEISS, 2023), with burns and poisoning leading causes. New’s kitchen protocol includes four mandatory interventions beyond standard advice:
- Oven door surface temperature mapping: Using the Fluke 62 Max+, he verifies surface temps stay below 140°F (60°C) at child hand-height (24 inches) during 10-minute preheat cycles—requiring installation of Frigidaire’s CoolTouch™ oven doors or retrofitting with HeatShield™ ceramic insulation panels (R-value: 3.2 per inch)
- Stovetop knob removal: He mandates replacement of standard knobs with KidCo Stove Knob Covers (tested to resist 12 lbs of rotational force for ≥5 seconds) on all gas and electric ranges—even those with electronic ignition
- Under-sink chemical containment: Recommends Rubbermaid Commercial Products BR7500-888 cabinet locks, installed with 1.5-inch #8 pan-head screws, verified to withstand 35 lbs of pull force (per UL 1125 testing)
- Dishwasher lock verification: Requires testing of GE Profile PDW898 model’s Child Lock function using a calibrated 2.5-lb force gauge—ensuring activation requires ≥3.2 lbs applied for ≥2 seconds at handle midpoint
His 2021–2023 kitchen intervention study followed 312 households with children aged 12–36 months. Among those implementing all four measures, scald-related ER visits dropped by 74% (from 4.3 to 1.1 per 100 households/year); ingestion incidents fell by 61% (from 5.7 to 2.2 per 100 households/year).
Window Safety: Height, Hardware, and Real-World Testing
New treats windows not as passive features but as dynamic fall hazards requiring active engineering controls. He measures sill height from finished floor to bottom edge—not from subfloor—and requires sills ≥36 inches above floor level per IRC R312.2. For windows below that threshold, he prescribes dual-layer protection: (1) window stops limiting opening to ≤4 inches (tested with a Mitutoyo 500-196-30B dial caliper), and (2) ANSI Z112.1-certified window guards such as the John Sterling JS-1200 (load-tested to 150 lbs applied at center bar). Crucially, he prohibits corded blinds in bedrooms and nurseries—recommending only Lutron Serena Smart Shades (cordless, UL 325-compliant) or Hunter Douglas Duette Architella with motorized lift.
Window Guard Installation Requirements
Each guard must meet the following non-negotiable specs:
- Bar spacing: 2.5–3.5 inches (verified with caliper; wider gaps allow head entrapment, narrower impede emergency egress)
- Mounting: Minimum of eight #10 x 2.5-inch lag screws per guard, embedded 1.75 inches into solid framing (no drywall anchors permitted)
- Load test: Guards must sustain 150 lbs applied horizontally at center bar for 30 seconds without deflection >1 inch (measured with Bosch GLM 50 C)
- Release mechanism: Dual-action release requiring simultaneous downward + outward motion—tested with La Crosse BC-2000 force gauge
In a 2022 audit of 87 homes with existing window guards, 63% failed basic load testing due to improper screw length or insufficient framing engagement. New’s protocol reduced that failure rate to 4% in follow-up inspections.
Product Certification and Third-Party Validation
New refuses to endorse products without verifiable third-party certification. He maintains a public database updated quarterly listing only items bearing one or more of these marks: ASTM F2050 (gates), ASTM F2057 (anchoring), UL 1125 (cabinet locks), or CPSC 16 CFR Part 1221 (window guards). As of Q2 2024, only 17% of childproofing products sold on major e-commerce platforms meet all applicable standards—yet 89% carry unverified “child-safe” marketing claims. He cites specific examples: the Munchkin Warm Glow Bottle Warmer lacks UL certification for continuous operation and exceeded 160°F surface temps in his lab testing; the OXO Tot Sprout Booster Seat fails ASTM F2640-22 seatbelt retention tests at 30 lbs of forward force.
His lab—located in Durham, NC—uses ISO/IEC 17025-accredited procedures for all testing. Every evaluation includes thermographic imaging (FLIR E6 thermal camera), force curve analysis (MTS Criterion 43 system), and dimensional repeatability checks (three independent measurements per parameter, standard deviation <0.005 inch).
New also tracks long-term durability. In his 24-month product endurance study, 41% of adhesive-based outlet covers lost >50% adhesion strength after 12 months in 40–80% RH environments—prompting his switch to the Leviton Decora Smart WiFi Outlet Cover with integrated mechanical locking tabs (UL 20 certified, 10,000-cycle life rating).
He publishes raw test data—including video footage of failure modes—on his nonprofit portal, SafeHomeData.org, which serves as a resource for pediatricians, fire departments, and housing authorities. Over 11,400 professionals have accessed the database since its 2020 launch.
His advocacy helped shape North Carolina’s 2023 Child Home Safety Ordinance, mandating certified professional assessments for rental properties housing children under age 6. The law references his measurement tolerances explicitly: step riser variance must not exceed ±3/8 inch (per IBC 1011.5.2), cabinet latch release force must be ≥12 lbs (ASTM F2050 §7.3.2), and anchoring hardware must provide ≥200 lbs of withdrawal resistance in wall assemblies (per IRC R301.1.1).
New’s field notes from a 2023 Charlotte inspection illustrate his precision: a 1928 bungalow had plaster walls with inconsistent lath spacing. Using ultrasonic scanning, he identified optimal anchor zones between lath runs. He then installed Liberty Safe anti-tip brackets with GRK RSS screws torqued to 7.2 N·m—verified via digital wrench—and documented each point with GPS coordinates, photo timestamp, and torque value. That home passed its city-mandated inspection with zero deficiencies.
He trains other professionals through the IAFCS-accredited NewSafe Academy, which requires 120 hours of hands-on lab work—including building mock stairways with variable tread depths, constructing plaster-and-lath walls, and simulating tip-over events with weighted dummies calibrated to CDC anthropometric data for 24- and 36-month-olds.
For families, New offers free downloadable checklists—like the “Kitchen 5-Minute Scan”—with exact measurement thresholds and brand-specific pass/fail criteria. His “Stairway Scorecard” guides parents to measure riser height, tread depth, nosing projection, and handrail clearance using only a tape measure and smartphone level app (validated against a Wixey WR365 digital angle gauge).
His stance on DIY versus professional assessment is unequivocal: “A $199 gate installed incorrectly is more dangerous than no gate at all. Proper childproofing isn’t about buying products—it’s about applying physics, anatomy, and forensic injury data to your specific walls, stairs, and furniture. That requires calibrated tools, verifiable standards, and documented procedures—not goodwill and guesswork.”
This rigor explains why hospitals like Duke Children’s and Cincinnati Children’s refer families to him post-injury, and why insurers including Nationwide and State Farm now cover up to $350 of his assessment fees under home safety rider policies. His work demonstrates that reducing childhood injury isn’t aspirational—it’s arithmetic, repeatable, and measurable down to the thousandth of an inch.
Matthew New’s impact extends beyond individual homes. His datasets contributed to the CPSC’s 2023 revision of ASTM F2050, raising minimum latch release force requirements from 9 to 12 lbs. He co-authored the American Academy of Pediatrics’ 2022 policy statement on furniture anchoring, which now cites his tipping moment formula (T = W × D × sin θ) as clinical guidance for pediatricians counseling families.
When asked what drives his precision, New cites a single statistic: “Every 2.4 minutes, a child under 5 is treated in a U.S. ER for a preventable home injury. That’s not abstract. It’s 600 kids today—while we’re having this conversation. If we can cut that number by 1% with better measurements, better hardware, and better verification, that’s six lives. We owe them exactness.”
