As your baby grows, their curiosity and abilities change quickly. Rolling turns into sitting, sitting turns into crawling, and before you know it, your baby is pulling up and reaching for things that used to be out of reach. As your baby explores more of their surroundings, everyday parts of your home can take on new safety considerations.
With a few simple changes, you can help make each room in your home a safe place for your baby to explore and grow.
Nursery
Your baby’s sleep space is one of the first places to check.
- Use a firm, flat sleep surface with a fitted sheet.
- Keep pillows, loose blankets, toys, and other soft items out of the crib.
- Lower the crib mattress as your baby grows and before they can pull up.
- Keep monitor and window-covering cords out of reach.
Bedroom and Living Areas
As your baby becomes more mobile, everyday furniture and household items can become easier to reach.
- Anchor bookshelves, dressers, TVs, and other furniture to the wall.
- Cover electrical outlets where needed.
- Keep small objects, batteries, and other choking hazards out of reach.
- Keep curtain and blind cords safely out of reach.
- Use cabinet latches and other safety devices where appropriate.
- Avoid putting baby on bed or sofa for playtime when they are approaching independent rolling. Use the floor or a pack ‘n play.
Kitchen
The kitchen has plenty of potential hazards for a curious baby.
- Keep knives and sharp objects secured.
- Lock up cleaning products and other chemicals.
- Keep small objects out of reach.
- Turn pot handles away from the edge of the stove.
- Keep hot foods and drinks away from edges and off of tablecloths that can be pulled.
Bathroom
Water and everyday bathroom products require extra attention.
- Never leave your baby alone around water.
- Stay within arm’s reach during baths.
- Keep medications, toiletries, and cleaning products locked away.
- Consider a toilet latch.
- Keep electrical appliances away from water.
Stairs and Windows
As your baby becomes more mobile, areas that once seemed harmless may need a closer look.
- Use safety gates around stairs as appropriate.
- Teach caregivers to carry babies safely on stairs and babies to crawl down backwards when needed.
- Lock windows within reach. Don’t rely on window screens, as they are not secure.
- Keep furniture away from windows so your baby cannot climb up to them.
Keep Checking as Your Baby Grows
Baby-proofing isn’t a one-time project. As your baby learns to sit, crawl, pull up, and walk, take another look around your home.
Get down to your baby’s level and look around. What can they reach, pull, open, climb, or put in their mouth? Seeing your home from their perspective can help you spot potential hazards and make small changes along the way.
You don’t have to make your home perfect all at once. A few thoughtful changes can go a long way toward creating a safe, comfortable space where your baby can explore and grow.