How to Baby-Proof Your Home: A Complete Guide
As your baby grows and becomes more mobile, you will need to start making sure your home is safe for them to explore. Babies can move further and faster than you might expect, even before they are actually crawling.
With everything in life, there are always risks, but some of these items might be helpful to mitigate the risks around your home.
Furniture Safety: Securing Large Items for Curious Climbers
Big furniture: Items like large wardrobes or dressers should be anchored to your wall, so they do not tip and fall on top of a curious baby who is climbing/pulling up on them. You can try a DIY item like this or get a handy-man to come and install the furniture.
Window and Curtain Safety for Babies
Windows: move couches/chairs/beds/etc away from under them or keep securely closed and locked.
Curtains: If you have floor-length curtains, tying them up out of reach while baby is playing is a good idea. If you have long strings for your blinds, make sure these are tied up as well so baby does not get tangled.
Corner Protectors and Play Mats for a Safer Space
Corner protectors: these little corner protectors stick on easily and keep those sharp furniture edges from becoming hazardous as baby is pulling up or running around.
Floor/play mats: for the spaces where you know baby will play or climb around, a padded mat is a nice way to keep the bonks a bit softer. I like these styles because they look like a decorative rug.
Cupboard Locks and Kitchen Safety Tips
Cupboard locks: I really like these magnet locks, as you do not see them from the outside. They are also really quick and easy to use. Great to be used on the lower cupboards in your entire house (kitchen, bathroom, closet, etc). For cupboards/drawers where the magnets don’t fit/work, these buckle straps are a good option.
Kitchen cupboards: If you can, keep “safe” items in the lower cupboards and allow your baby to open them and explore! We all spend a lot of time in the kitchen, so having something interesting (babies tend to love playing with everything they aren’t “supposed” to) for them to be entertained with will probably buy you more time to get lunch prepped!
Using Baby Gates to Restrict Access
Baby gate: if you have stairs in your home, or want to keep certain rooms closed off, a good baby gate is really helpful. Most of these ones you do not need to drill or damage your space, so they are renter friendly.
Door and Electrical Socket Safety for Toddlers
Doors: these foam door stoppers are helpful at keeping baby’s fingers from getting pinched. Babies love to play with moving objects and a door can be a favorite. Put one of these door stoppers up out of reach, so baby can play without getting pinched fingers.
Electrical sockets: a must-have for a baby-safe house! This style is nice because they stay in place even when you plug something in, so you don’t lose them.
Oven Locks and Fences for High-Risk Areas
Oven lock: if your oven is reachable by small hands, a lock is a good idea!
Fence: if you have space in your home that you just can’t make more safe, a fence around it is a good way to keep baby away. For open shelving with lots of heavy books, or the space in the kitchen with all of the recycling, or even a decorated tree around the holidays! (Also more on the BabyDan website)
Managing Cables and Wires in a Baby-Friendly Home
Cables: if there are tv/audio/computer cables running along the floor or wall where baby can grab them, you can bet they WILL grab them. Securing them behind a channel is a good way to keep baby from pulling them (and potentially the TV onto their heads).
Hooks: might also be a good way to keep small cables (phone chargers, etc) kept up out of baby’s reach.
