The Essential Guide to Childproofing Your Home
Welcoming a new addition to your home is an exciting time, but it also comes with a crucial responsibility - childproofing. In this blog post, we'll delve into the vital task of creating a safe environment for your little one. From selecting the right safety products to identifying potential hazards, this guide will lead you through the essential steps to childproofing your home.
It is never too early to childproof your home. Being proactive and doing some prep work before the baby’s arrival is the best way to ensure your child's safety before they gain mobility. Keep reading for all of our tips & checklists!
Here is how to childproof your home room by room:
ALL rooms:
Install carbon monoxide detectors near every sleeping area in your home.
Secure furniture (bookshelves, televisions, lamps, cabinets) to the wall with a wall-mounted anchor to prevent tipping. If you are unsure if your furniture can be tipped, mount it!
Cover and secure cords.
Cover electrical outlets with plugs or outlet boxes.
Install baby gates.
Keep cabinets and drawers locked/latched.
Cover pointed edges on tables.
Store all medications up high and locked.
Keep cleaning solutions, toiletries, mouthwash, and nail polish/remover out of reach, not under the kitchen or bathroom sink.
If guns are owned, store them safely outside of the home. If kept in the house, ensure they are unloaded (with ammunition stored separately), have a gun lock in place, and are stored in a lockbox or safe.
Set the water heater at or below 120 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent burns.
Store blind cords.
Secure doors with a lever door lock or knob covers.
Kitchen:
Keep knives in a childproofed drawer.
Lock away cleaning supplies.
Lock the garbage can or store it behind a door.
Use stove-knob covers.
Install an oven lock.
Bathrooms:
Keep toilet lids locked.
Lock the garbage.
Install spout cover.
Living Room:
Mount televisions to the wall, if unable to, anchor the TV so it cannot tip over.
Install window guards to prevent falls.
Consider using fireplace guards if lighting a fire while the baby is in the room.
Child's Room:
Mount dresser, bookshelf, and other tippable furniture to wall
Install a baby monitor at least 3 feet away from the crib and hide cables with cord covers. Do not attach the baby monitor to the crib.
Consider using toy storage without lids/hinged tops due to finger-pinching risk.
Ensure the crib meets safety guidelines. There is no need to anchor the crib to the wall. https://www.cpsc.gov/safety-education/safety-guides/cribs/crib-safety-tips
Laundry Room:
Keep all products entirely out of reach.
Lock front-loading washers and dryers.
Outdoors:
Always supervise your child when outdoors.
Install a pool safety fence for below-ground and above-ground pools.
Some outdoor plants are toxic/hazardous; install a fence around plants as needed
Childproofing Product Checklist:
Carbon Monoxide detector
Furniture mounts
Cord covers
Outlet plugs
Outlet boxes
Baby gates
Corner/edge guards
Gunlock
Gun lockbox/safe
Blind cord winder/holder
Lever door locks
Door Knob covers
Cabinet locks
Garbage can lock
Stove knob covers
Oven lock
Toilet lid lock
Bathtub spout cover
TV mount or anchor
Window guards
Fireplace guards
Washer/dryer locks
Playpen/Pack n’ play
CHILDPROOFING TIPS:
Take it room by room! When childproofing your home, crawl through it to uncover accessible hazards.
Designate a specific cabinet for your child and place safe toys inside for them to play with.
Consider using a playpen or pack-n-play as a safe place to set your child down when needed.
Keep an emergency contact sheet on the refrigerator for easy access.
*A FREE printable version of our checklist is available here.
Childproofing may seem overwhelming at first, but remember, you can take it step by step and room by room. You are doing the best thing for your child. Happy proofing, and remember, the safety of your little one is always worth the effort!
