Your little one is on the move! Cruising around is so exciting, but it also means it’s time to baby-proof! Get ready to transform your home into a safe haven for your curious explorer.

We’ve got you covered with room-by-room tips to help keep your baby safe from all the fascinating (and potentially hazardous!) things they’ll be reaching for and exploring.

One of the best ways to baby-proof is to see things from your baby’s perspective. Get down on their level and crawl around! Look for anything that could be dangerous and remove it.And remember, baby-proofing is an ongoing process. As your child grows and learns to climb, new dangers can pop up. So, it’s a good idea to do a “baby-proofing refresh” every so often as your little one develops new skills.

Here’s a room-by-room guide to baby-proofing:

Kitchen

  • When cooking, turn pot and pan handles towards the back of the stove to prevent bumps and reaching.
  • Lock up cleaning supplies, knives, scissors, and dishwasher soap in drawers with latches or store them on high shelves.
  • Skip the tablecloths and use placemats instead. Tablecloths are easy for little hands to grab and pull, potentially sending dishes and silverware crashing down.
  • Secure the refrigerator and freezer doors with safety latches.
  • If possible, remove stove knobs and keep them out of reach, especially if your baby likes to play with them.
  • Designate a low cabinet with child-safe cups and bowls for your baby to play with while you cook.
Development methods | Baby proofing

Bathroom

  • Use a safety latch on the toilet lid to prevent both curious explorations and toy “swimming.”
  • Keep hair dryers and curling irons far from the edge of the counter. Dangling cords are irresistible to little hands!

Living room

  • Mount larger furniture to the wall to prevent tipping. As your baby pulls themselves up, they’ll grab onto anything nearby.
  • When guests visit, keep purses and bags out of baby’s reach.

Laundry room

  • Store laundry detergent and other hazardous materials on high shelves, well out of reach.

All over the house

  • Cover all electrical outlets.
  • Use baby gates to block off rooms and staircases.
  • Tie up blind cords so they’re out of reach.
  • Make sure all rugs have non-skid backing for those wobbly first steps.
  • Cushion the corners of tables and other sharp edges.
  • Be mindful of pet water bowls – they can pose a drowning risk.

On the go

Remember that friends’ and family’s homes might not be baby-proofed. Always keep a close eye on your little explorer when you’re visiting other places.