Your Complete Babyproofing Checklist

Did you know that it can take as little as 120 days for a newborn to learn to roll over and grasp things? And once a baby gets a hold of something, we all know it usually ends up somewhere it shouldn’t be. That’s why you can’t ever babyproof your house too early. To ensure you cover every room, hall, nook, and cranny, follow our complete babyproofing checklist.

When to Start Babyproofing Your House

Pregnancy is an exciting time, and there’s much to do when a baby arrives. Many find it easiest to babyproof their homes during pregnancy. That’s a time when you have more flexibility to find the babyproofing items you need and install and test them. Ideally, you should babyproof your house before the baby becomes mobile—typically between four and six months.

How to Babyproof Your House 

Childproofing your entire house can seem like a big project, but it can be done quickly and effectively with the right tools and a good plan of action. First, get down on your hands and knees to see what temptations might be lurking at the baby’s eye level. Watch out for anything from loose cords and sharp corners to small toys and electrical outlets. Then, stock up on babyproofing products to secure your home.

Some of the best babyproofing house items include:

• Baby gate
• Cabinet locks
• Drawer locks
• Knob handle latch
• Outlet covers
• Foam guards for sharp corners

Some assembly may be required. Check out the top tools you should have on-hand to tackle babyproofing projects.

The Essentials

Before your little one can crawl, roll, or move about, it’s smart to do some general babyproofing throughout the house. Here’s what you can do:

• Secure all furniture to the wall or floor to prevent tipping.
• Cover all sharp corners, such as table and furniture corners, with foam or padding.
• Hide all cords out of sight and tuck away any looped cords for blinds or curtains.
• Put safety covers on all electrical outlets.
• Keep all cleaning products—and alcohol, nicotine, or any other potentially poisonous products—in a locked cabinet and out of reach.
• Install baby gates at the bottom and top of the stairs.
• Add non-slip pads under rugs.

Living Room

The living room is a place for the family to gather and relax, but it can be full of safety hazards for a baby who’s exploring the world around them. It’s estimated that more than 70% of child tip-over accidents involve a television. It’s important to properly secure your television and furniture, and confirm the mounting hardware is functioning as it should. Other tips for babyproofing your living room include:

• Anchor bookcases and dressers to the wall.
• Place TVs on a low, sturdy base and push the TV as far back as possible.
• Don’t display or store items, like toys, remotes, or décor, where a baby might be tempted to crawl to reach them.
• Store heavier items, like big books, on lower shelves or drawers.
• Keep all cords out of sight and out of reach of children.
• Move tall, wobbly lamps out of reach.
• Hide DVD players, gaming consoles, and other electronics behind closed doors.
• Secure access to floor heaters and radiators.
• Install window guards and stops.
• Keep all remote controls out of reach.

Do you have a fireplace in your living room, too? Learn how to keep that area safe with our fireplace best practices.

Kitchen

Probably the busiest room in your house, the kitchen is stocked with tools, appliances, and products that could be hazardous to infants. Anything from sharp knives and scissors to glass dishes and pointy utensils can cause harm if mishandled. To keep tiny hands safe and away from dangers, consider:

• Securing knives, scissors, and other sharp utensils in a locked drawer and out of reach.
• Adding covers or locks to stove and oven knobs.
• Installing safety latches on refrigerator doors and dishwasher door.
• Cooking on back burners closest to a wall and away from a baby’s reach.
• Placing pet food and water they aren’t easily accessible for a baby.
• Keeping cleaning products and supplies in a locked cabinet and out of a baby’s reach.
• Making sure hot foods and drinks are placed where they cannot be tipped over.

Bathrooms

The bathroom is a fun place for a little one. Babies and toddlers usually enjoy water, splashing around, and playing with bubbles. However, standing water in a tub or the toilet is one of the biggest concerns in bathroom safety. Always supervise your baby in the bathroom. Additional risks include bath products, medications, and slippery surfaces. To babyproof your bathrooms:

• Always supervise your baby while in the bathtub.
• Test the bath water before putting your baby in it. The bath water should be about 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Place foam or cushioned covers over the bath spout and knobs.
• Add non-slip mats in the tub and outside the tub.
• Lock and babyproof cabinets and drawers.
• Keep shampoos, soaps, and other bath products out of reach.
• Keep all medicines and supplements out of reach and securely locked.
• Install locks on toilet seats.

Nursery

Create a safe space for your little one to rest and recharge. In the nursery, guarantee the furniture, décor, and small electrics are properly maintained and securely stored. Here are some additional ideas for keeping bedrooms baby-friendly:  

• Never leave loose items in a crib, like blankets, bumpers, pillows, or stuffed animals.
• Ensure crib slats are no more than 2⅜ inches apart.
• Use a firm, flat, and tight-fitting crib mattress.
• Use a changing table with a guardrail and concave middle.
• Always keep your hands on a baby who’s on a changing table.
• Remove or store away all cords, strings, or loose decorations that a baby might choke on or get caught in.
• Make sure all mobiles are securely attached and out of baby’s reach.
• Securely mount all furniture to the wall or ground.
• Invest in toy storage bins without lids.

Raising Littles: First-Year Milestone Myths Versus Facts

Watching your baby grow, learn, and discover the world around them in their first year is joyful, but can also heighten your stress levels. While this babyproofing checklist is one way to ease some new-parent concerns, you might be more focused on how quickly—or not quickly—your baby is developing. To ease your anxieties, read Raising Littles: First-Year Milestone Myths Versus Facts. In it, we debunk some common myths about what babies should be doing in their first year.