Babyproofing Your Home
What to do before your baby becomes mobile
Start Before Your Baby Moves
The best time to babyproof is before your baby can crawl. Once they are mobile, they will find danger faster than you can stop them. Get down on your hands and knees at baby eye level and look at your home from that perspective. What looks interesting? What could be pulled down? What fits in a mouth? That is what needs your attention. Babyproofing is not about making your home look like a padded cell. It is about removing the most common hazards so your baby can explore safely.
The Room-by-Room Checklist
These are the most important safety steps for any home with a baby:
Kitchen Safety
The kitchen has more hazards than any other room. Use back burners on the stove and turn pot handles inward. Keep knives and sharp objects in locked or high drawers. Store all cleaning supplies in locked cabinets. Keep the dishwasher locked when not in use, it contains sharp utensils and detergent residue. Do not let your baby play near the oven or dishwasher when they are open.
When to Update Your Babyproofing
Babyproofing is not a one-time event. As your baby grows, new hazards appear. When they start crawling, recheck everything at floor level. When they start pulling up, secure anything they could pull onto themselves. When they start walking, extend your babyproofing upward. A good rule is to re-evaluate your home every time your baby reaches a new mobility milestone.