Baby Proofing 101: How to Make Every Room Safe for Your Baby

Baby Proofing 101: A Checklist for Every Room If you’re a first time parent, you may be surveying your home and nervously thinking, “Is it just me, or does this room have sixty-three outlets?” While the idea of baby proofing your home may feel overwhelming, if you take it room-by-room, it’s a much easier (and less anxiety provoking) task. Remember, baby proofing is an ongoing process that evolves as your child grows and their abilities change—from rolling, to crawling, to pulling up, and eventually to walking and climbing. The Baby Proofing Mindset Before you buy a single outlet cover, the most important first step is to change your perspective. The best way to spot potential dangers is to see the world as your baby does. Literally get down on your hands and knees and crawl around your home. What looks interesting? What can you reach? What can you pull on? You'll be amazed at the hazards you spot from this vantage point, like loose cords, small objects under the sofa, or unstable furniture that looks perfect for pulling up on. The Whole-Home Checklist Some safety measures apply to your entire home and should be tackled first. These are the non-negotiable basics for creating a safe environment. Install UL listed carbon monoxide and smoke detectors on every level of your home and/or in hallways outside of bedrooms. Make sure to check batteries annually (a good habit is to test them when you change your clocks for daylight saving time). Purchase a fire extinguisher for each level of your home, especially the kitchen, and learn how to use it. Have a well-stocked first aid kit on hand that’s easy to find in an emergency, and make sure all caretakers know where it’s stored. Have address numbers that are easily read from the street on the exterior of your house to help emergency services find you quickly. Set your water heater at a maximum of 120° Fahrenheit (48° Celsius) to prevent scald burns. Water hotter than this can cause third-degree burns in seconds. If your home was built prior to 1978, get any flaking paint removed or sealed by a professional. Paint in older homes may contain lead, and is dangerous for babies or toddlers to ingest. Have emergency contact info displayed on the refrigerator or another central location, including numbers for your pediatrician and poison control (the Poison Help line is 1-800-222-1222). Include your address, parents' full names, and any known allergies. Learn Infant and Child CPR and the Heimlich maneuver. This is perhaps the most important baby proofing step you can take. Local hospitals, fire departments, and the American Red Cross offer courses. Secure all windows. Windows should have stops that prevent them from opening more than four inches. For windows on upper floors, install window guards (with an emergency release for adults). Do not rely on screens to prevent falls. Move all furniture away from windows to prevent climbing. Identify and remove toxic houseplants. Many common houseplants, like pothos, philodendrons, and lilies, are toxic if ingested. Check the ASPCA's list of toxic plants (it's great for pets and kids) and move any dangerous plants out of reach or out of the house. Baby Proofing the Living + Multi Purpose Rooms Real world parent tip: Using a playpen or setting up a gated play area in your living room (or any space where your family spends a lot of time) creates a safe space that will free you up to get household chores done—doomscroll—whatever suits your mood. Mount heavy furniture (bookshelves, dressers, entertainment centers) and TVs with wall-mount kits to prevent accidental tip-overs. Tip-overs are a leading cause of injury and death for young children. Put grippy non-slip pads under your rugs. Block any outlets with furniture or use outlet covers, and make sure any electrical cords and extension cords are out of your baby’s reach. Use cord shorteners or concealers to hide loose wires. Unplug chargers when not in use, as babies can put the ends in their mouths. Install fireplace screens and hearth padding. Keep fireplace tools and gas keys out of reach. Replace any blinds with long cords with cordless options. If you can't replace them, use cord cleats or wind-ups to secure the cords high and out of reach to prevent strangulation. Cover furniture edges and corners with edge guards and padding, especially on coffee tables and media stands. Latch or lock any doors, cabinets, or cupboards that contain items you don't want your baby accessing. Store purses, bags, and backpacks out of reach. They often contain choking hazards like coins, pens, and medications. Install baby gates at the top and bottom of staircases. Use hardware-mounted gates at the top of stairs, as pressure-mounted gates can be dislodged. Check for small items. Regularly scan the floor and under furniture for choking hazards like coins, buttons, batteries (especially button batteries), paper clips, and pet food kibble. Secure remote controls. The battery compartments on remotes are often easy to open. Secure them with strong tape if necessary, as button batteries are extremely dangerous if swallowed. Baby Proofing the Kitchen Real world parent tip: If your crawling baby or walking toddler is going to be joining you for meal prep, consider making one bottom cabinet accessible and baby-safe. Stash toys, measuring cups, plastic storage containers, or multi-sensory objects so your little one can entertain themselves. Just make sure nothing is a choking hazard (if it’s too big to fit inside a toilet paper tube, it’s safe for your baby). Cook on your stove’s back burners when possible. Always turn pot handles toward the back of the stove. Make sure knives and cleaning products are securely locked, ideally in a spot that’s out of your baby’s reach. This includes dishwasher and laundry detergent pods, which can look like candy. Keep glassware and dishware out of your baby’s reach. Latch or lock your refrigerator and garbage can. A garbage can lock prevents access to choking hazards and spoiled food. Install covers on stove knobs or remove them when not in use. Latch or lock your oven. Remove any tablecloths or placemats that a baby can pull on, bringing hot food or heavy objects down with them. Unplug and store any electrical items when not in use (toasters, blenders, etc.). Keep cords pushed to the back of the counter. Keep the edges of your countertops and tables clear, so your baby can’t reach up and accidentally pull anything down on themselves. Secure the dishwasher. Keep it latched at all times. Unload sharp knives and forks first, placing them point-down in the utensil basket. Be mindful of refrigerator magnets. Small magnets can be a serious choking hazard. Store plastic bags (like grocery bags and trash bags) out of reach to prevent suffocation. Baby Proofing the Bathroom Real world parent tip: There are a lot of spots for your little one to get into serious trouble in a bathroom, so making sure the door is shut and locked (with a latch or door knob guard) is your safest bet. Install an exterior door lock or a doorknob cover. Lock your toilet seat, as well as drawers and cabinets. A toilet lock can prevent both messes and a serious drowning hazard. Keep electrical appliances, like hair dryers and curling irons, out of reach. Always unplug them and store them away after use. Move trash cans out of reach, or keep them in a locked cabinet. Add a non-skid mat to your tub and a soft cover for the faucet to prevent bumps. Always keep medications, cosmetics, toiletries, mouthwash, and toothpaste locked and out of reach. Many of these items are toxic if ingested. Never leave a baby or young child unattended in the bathtub, not even for a second. A child can drown in as little as one inch of water. Baby Proofing the Nursery Real world parent tip: If you’re changing or dressing your little one on a raised surface, never walk away, even for a moment. Keeping one hand on your baby at all times is an easy way to prevent an accidental, sleep deprivation fueled, slip-up. Always use the safety strap on the changing pad. Remove any bedding (including pillows, bumpers, comforters, sheets, or blankets) and any toy from your baby’s sleep environment, whether that is a crib or bassinet. A bare crib is the safest crib. Make sure your crib mattress is snug against the rails and walls of the crib, without any gaps. You shouldn't be able to fit more than two fingers between the mattress and the crib side. The crib shouldn’t be near any windows, other pieces of furniture, decor (including anything hung on the walls, lamps, or electrical cords. Babies can use these to climb out of the crib or can pull items into the crib, creating strangulation or suffocation hazards. Store toys in open boxes, so little fingers can’t get pinched by lids. If a toy chest has a lid, ensure it has safety hinges that prevent it from slamming shut. Keep wipes and diapering essentials out of your baby’s reach while changing. If you’re painting your nursery, try to finish your project at least two months before your due date so you don’t have to worry about exposing your newborn to potentially harmful fumes. Use a low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) paint if possible. Ensure your crib meets current CPSC safety standards. Avoid drop-side cribs, which are now illegal to sell but may be available secondhand. Keep baby monitors and their cords at least three feet away from the crib to prevent strangulation. More Baby Proofing Resources Safe Kids Worldwide and the International Association for Child Safety (IAFCS), which can connect you with certified professional child proofers, are excellent resources for more baby proofing tips, and even provide baby proofing services to parents. Finding What’s Right for You Albee Baby is the oldest family-owned specialty baby shop in the US, and we pride ourselves on providing our customers with the best assortment of baby products anywhere, at fair prices, always. We’re committed to being an inclusive resource for parents, and hope you’re feeling empowered to find the right car seat for your family. Still have questions? Feel free to contact our baby gear experts at 877.692.5233 or by email at info@albeebaby.com.