Your baby’s health and safety is your number one priority. Too often, babies and toddlers get into accidents around the house when the home has not been child proofed. Little ones are curious and unaware of the dangers around the house and will explore everything, which can lead to hazards from playing with power points to tipping over pieces of furniture.
The best way to keep your baby safe at home is by childproofing your home. From childproof cupboard locks to child proof electrical outlets, there are plenty of ways you can childproof your home.
Before you bring your new baby into the world, it’s important to make sure your home is properly child proofed. You don’t want to be stressed out trying to get the house ready when you’re caring for your newborn! Get prepared with our top tips for childproofing your home.
Steps to Childproofing Your Home
At first, childproofing your home may seem overwhelming. Every room of the house needs to be safe for your new baby, from your bedroom to their nursery to the bathroom. Start with the basics–are your power points protected? Have you made sure your knives and sharp objects are out of reach? Look through your entire house and make sure there is nothing potentially hazardous. You can even try crawling through your home, seeing it through the eyes of a baby. Ask yourself, what is in reach? What could grab your baby’s attention?
We’ve collated a quick baby proofing checklist so you can make sure that potential risks in your house are baby proofed.
Child Proof Kitchen
Secure the stove and oven
Your oven is a risky area for babies and toddlers. From gas on the stovetop to the hot oven door, there is plenty of room for accidents. There are a few ways to prevent accidents. First off, never leave the stove unattended when you’re cooking, and always turn the handles of your pots and pans inward so your child can’t reach them. You can also install an oven lock and stove guard so keep curious hands away. Put covers on your stove knobs so your baby can’t turn on the oven or stove.
Make sure kitchen appliances & cookware are out of reach
Kitchen = hazards! Keep your appliances out of reach, like your microwave, kettle and toaster. Switch off appliances at the source when you’re not using them. Empty boiling water from the kettle after each use.
Put away fridge magnets
Fridge magnets are a fun way to personalise your fridge, and remind you of upcoming events and bills, but they will probably spark curiosity in your child. Magnets are choking hazards. For the moment, keep fridge magnets locked away in a drawer or out of reach.
Remove tea towels & tablecloths
Hanging tea towels and tablecloths are easy to pull and grab. Instead of hanging tea towels from your oven handle, keep them out of reach and opt for cardboard placemats over tablecloths.
Hide knives & glassware
Knives, scissors and other sharp cutlery are best kept locked away, or entirely out of reach. For additional protection, use knife covers.
Keep the fridge out of bounds
The fridge may not seem like a dangerous place, but heavy, glass objects like jars of sauce can tip over and injure your child. Install a childproof lock for the fridge and secure your fridge so it can’t tip over with furniture and appliance cables, straps or brackets.
Child Proof Nursery
Cot positioning
Make sure there is a small gap of only two adult fingers between the mattress and the cot to prevent your little one from falling or getting stuck. Keep the cot positioned at a safe distance from heaters and direct sunlight. When your child moves on from their cot to sleeping on a bed, install bed rails.
Child Proof Bathroom
Water safety
Keep your hot water at a lower temperature to avoid potential burns. Also, always remember to empty bath water straight after bathing to avoid the risk of drowning.
Around the House
Babies and toddlers are curious little things. Even the most mundane objects fascinate them as they try to understand what things are and what they do.
Use power point covers
It goes without saying that power points are a hazard for babies. From sticking their hands in the outlet to switching the power on and off, it’s safest to make sure every power point in the house has a cover.
Install child proof gates
Babies and toddlers are full of curiosity and energy. Install childproofing gates at the top and bottom of your staircase and a child proof gate at the entrance of every room that you want to keep your bub from entering.
Secure heavy furniture & appliances
Prevent heavy furniture and appliances from falling over by using furniture brackets (sometimes known as L brackets), furniture cables or furniture straps.
Install childproof drawer locks
Install child proof drawer locks on every drawer you don’t want your baby to access, including those with cleaning products, medications, choking hazards like sewing kits with buttons, or sharp or hazardous objects like scissors or needles.
Install child proof door locks
Even if the handles are out of reach, it’s important to install door locks for every room you don’t want your child to enter.
Get corner protectors
Sharp corners on desks, dining tables and side tables are a potential hazard. Install corner protectors to avoid any accidents.
Buy a child proof fire guard
Fire is an obvious hazard in the home. If you have a fireplace, make sure you install a secure fireplace screen so your little one can enjoy the warmth without risking a burn. The same goes for portable heaters–make sure your child can’t sit too close to or touch the heater.
Lock away matches & lighters
Keep matches and lighters in a designated spot locked away or out of reach–try not to leave them lying around.
Put small items & knick-knacks away
Now is the best time to make sure all your favourite home decor and knick-knacks are out of reach. Whether it’s a table lamp on your side table or a glass vase, it’s best that you keep these things out of reach or in a locked drawer while your child is still young. Small items can easily become a choking hazard and can fall on top of your child when they’re exploring.
Childproofing your windows
You don’t want your child climbing out the window! Safeguard your windows with a lock. Make sure your curtains or blinds are secure and tied up, safely out of reach.
