Your little bub will be crawling and making his first step soon. You will discover that you have a little explorer in your home. It is an exciting milestone to look forward to, but it requires some preparation from parents too. To support your baby’s intellectual and physical development and curiosity, you must let your baby explore within a safe environment. 

Your baby will try to grab, climb, and taste objects that he/she can get his/her hands on. Accidents may happen anytime and even inside the home.  Of course, your baby’s safety is the top priority, so before your baby hits these milestones, we encourage you to babyproof your home for his/her safety. 

Here are practical tips you can follow to prepare your home for your growing baby.

Tips on How to Babyproof your Home 

1.     Cover all electrical sockets 

Most electrical sockets are within your child’s reach. With your little bub’s natural tendency to touch and poke things, he/she might end up poking his/her fingers or inserting objects in the socket. To prevent this, you must install electrical socket covers. 

2.     Remove objects on low-lying shelves.

If you have shelves that can be reached by your baby or toddler, remove the items there for now.  You can replace them with small books or other objects your child to hold and play with.

3.     Secure all kinds of cords, wires, and strings. 

If you have window blinds at home, ensure that the string is tied up and unreachable.  Window blind cords are a hazard to small kids because they tend to put it around their neck.

If you have lamps and appliances that have exposed cords, make sure to keep the cables organized and tuck if possible.  Keeping the cords and cables organized can help prevent your child from tugging, chewing, and tripping on the wires.

Search your home for any loose cords, wires, or strings; pack them away safely in locked or high cabinets. 

4.     Install baby monitor in the nursery room.

At the very least, have a baby monitor in the nursery. It can help you check on your baby whenever you are in a different room in the house. 

5.     Put corner guards on furniture, windowsills, or any objects or areas that have sharp edges. 

Your baby is still practicing to stand and walk, so his/her movements are still wobbly and uncontrolled. To prevent injuries from sharp corners, install corner guards on your tables.

6.     Secure all heavy furniture and appliances. 

You may think your chest drawers are heavy and stable for a little child.  However, there have been children climbing the drawers and, unfortunately, tipping the drawers onto them. To prevent accidents, ensure that your furniture is attached to the wall.

Check your home for any other bulky furniture or appliances that your child might want to climb and explore.  If you have a television, it might be better to have it installed using a wall bracket.

7.     Ensure that your rooms and hallways are well-lit. 

For you, your child, and everyone’s safety, make sure that your lights work in all areas of your home.  It is especially important for hallways and stairways.

Night lights are an excellent addition to your nursery and bedroom to give you non-glaring light.  It is helpful when you need to check up on your baby and do things in the bedroom while your baby is asleep.

8.     Install a safety fence. 

Place a safety fence or gate at the top and bottom of your stairs.  The gate will prevent your crawling baby from climbing up or down the stair on his/her own.

However, make sure also to teach your child how to navigate on the stairs safely with your assistance. 

9.     Place a cover on your fireplace. 

Prevent your child from touching the fire by securing it with a gate.  Ideally, the safety gate for the fireplace attaches to the wall.

10.  Install safety locks on your cabinets, drawers, and windows. 

Prevent your little explorer from opening and rummaging through your cabinets and drawers and climbing out the windows by installing a lock. 

It will also prevent them from climbing up the drawers. 

11.  Store your vitamins and medicines in cabinets. 

Keep everyone’s medications and vitamins in a safe place to prevent your child from playing with them. 

12.  Install non-slip mats on slippery areas in the house.

Bathroom tiles and tubs are slippery, especially when wet so make sure you place a non-slip mat.   

If you have wooden stairs at home, the non-slip mat will make it safe for your little climber. 

13.  Keep any small, sharp, or hazardous objects. 

Your child is naturally attracted and curious about the items he/she sees.  They may grab and put the objects in their mouths.  Hence, you should make sure that there are no small objects that your child may choke on.  Common examples of small items lying around the house are coins, small refrigerator magnets, and jewelry. 

Inspect your home for sharp objects too. Pack away sharp objects like scissors, sticks, and knives.

Keep your household cleaning materials, flammable and hazardous materials in cabinets that are unreachable to your kids.

Another common household item to keep is plastics.  Keep the plastics out of reach to prevent your child from putting it over their head. 

14.  Check your child toys

Keep the toys out of your baby’s crib. You can designate a play area for your child and let him/her play with the toys there.

Always check your child’s toy and see if there are cracks or exposed sharp objects.  Throw away broken toys to prevent any injuries.

For first-time and experienced parents, we made your babyproofing preparation easier for you.  You can download the Tiny Steps Babyproofing Checklist  and use it for your reference for shopping for babyproofing items and setting up your home.

We hope that these practical tips help you to prepare a safe environment for your little one to explore and move around.  These simple actions can give you peace of mind knowing that your baby can freely move safely. 

If you have other tips you want to share, go ahead, and send your suggestions in the comment box below.