When your baby becomes mobile, everything changes… and fast! Up until this point, there was predictability with respect to where they were. But now your little explorer will want to check out every room – and everyTHING – in your home, and it’s your responsibility to make sure they’re safe doing it. (No pressure!) In this guide, I’ll provide you with a detailed, step-by-step approach to baby-proofing your home for your crawling kiddo.

The Baby’s-Eye View Inspection

Before you embark on the journey of baby-proofing your home, it’s essential to get into the mind of your crawling baby. Get down on all fours and crawl around your living spaces, scrutinizing every nook and cranny. This exercise will help you identify potential dangers that might pique your baby’s curiosity.

• Crawl around your home, paying attention to low shelves, sharp corners, and objects within reach.
• Take note of anything that could be potentially harmful or intriguing to your baby.

Decluttering

Babies have a knack for finding tiny objects you didn’t even know existed. Start by thoroughly decluttering your home, with a focus on areas your baby frequents. Pick up small items like coins, buttons, or pet toys that could pose choking hazards. Create designated play areas that are clutter-free and safe for exploration.

• Conduct frequent sweeps of your home’s common areas and play spaces to locate and remove small objects.
• Remove small objects and potential choking hazards from low-lying surfaces.
• Designate specific areas for play and ensure they are clutter-free.
• Educate family members and caregivers about the importance of keeping small items out of reach.
• Consider using a small parts tester to identify choking hazards.

Furniture and Decor

Babies love to pull themselves up on furniture, which means ensuring that bookshelves, dressers, and other heavy items are securely anchored to the wall is crucial. You’ll also want to pay attention to sharp edges and fragile objects, and avoid toxic materials when possible.

• Invest in furniture anchor kits and install them according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Ensure that heavy items are securely fastened to the wall to prevent tipping.
• Cover sharp corners of furniture with corner protectors to minimize the risk of injuries (or, if you’re purchasing anything new, choose pieces with rounded edges).
• Safely store any sharp or fragile decorations.
• Regularly inspect furniture and decor for any wear or damage that could pose a hazard.
• Ensure that all furniture in the nursery and play areas meets safety standards.
• Opt for non-toxic paint and fabrics when decorating your baby’s room.

Electrical Safety

Electrical outlets and cords can be irresistible to little fingers.

• Install outlet covers on all unused electrical outlets to prevent access.
• Use cord organizers or cord concealers to secure and hide cords.
• Consider using outlet covers that automatically slide shut when the plug is removed for added convenience.

Baby Gates

Baby gates are essential tools for creating safe zones within your home.

• Choose the right type of baby gate for your needs, considering pressure-mounted and hardware-mounted options.
• Follow the installation instructions carefully, ensuring a secure fit.
• Use baby gates to block off stairways, restrict access to certain rooms, and create safe play areas.

Safeguarding Hazardous Items

Household cleaners, medications, and sharp objects should be stored out of reach in locked cabinets or drawers.

• Install child-proof locks or latches on cabinets and drawers containing hazardous items.
• Ensure that cleaning supplies are stored in a locked cabinet or on high shelves.
• Ensure that locks are easy for adults to operate but secure enough to prevent access by curious crawlers.
• Periodically check and adjust locks as needed to maintain their effectiveness.

Slip-Resistant Flooring

Babies spend a significant amount of time on the floor, so it’s essential to provide a safe surface.

• Choose slip-resistant rugs or carpets for areas where your baby will play.
• Anchor rugs securely with double-sided tape or non-slip rug pads.
• Ensure that rugs lie flat and do not create tripping hazards.
• Regularly check and maintain the condition of flooring to ensure safety.

Eliminating Small Choking Hazards

Regularly check your home’s floors and furniture for small objects like buttons, coins, or small toys that could pose a choking risk.

• Conduct frequent sweeps of your home’s common areas and play spaces to locate and remove small objects.
• Educate family members and caregivers about the importance of keeping small items out of reach.
• Consider using a small parts tester to identify choking hazards.

Window Safety

Windows can be enticing for curious babies.

• Install window locks or guards to prevent your baby from opening windows.
• Ensure that window blinds or curtains have no accessible cords that could pose a strangulation hazard.
• Consider using cordless window coverings for added safety.

Bathroom Safety

The bathroom presents its own set of unique hazards.

• Lock the toilet lid to prevent access.
• Secure cabinets containing cleaning supplies, medications, and other potential hazards.
• Install anti-scald devices on faucets to prevent burns and maintain water temperatures at safe levels.

Kitchen Safety

The kitchen is often the heart of the home, but it can also be a source of potential dangers.

• Secure appliances such as ovens, microwaves, and dishwashers to prevent tipping.
• Use child-proof locks on cabinets containing sharp utensils, glassware, and toxic cleaning supplies.
• If your appliances have child lock features, use them for doors and keypads.
• Keep pot handles turned inward while cooking to prevent accidental spills and burns.

Continuous Baby-Proofing

Baby-proofing is an ongoing process as your baby grows and becomes more mobile.

• Regularly assess and update your baby-proofing measures to accommodate your baby’s changing abilities.
• Keep an eye out for new hazards and potential risks as your baby explores different areas of your home.
• Seek advice from experienced parents or professionals if you encounter unique challenges or concerns in your baby-proofing journey.

Creating a safe environment for your little crawler requires attention to detail and proactive measures. Please note that every home is different and my list isn’t meant to be comprehensive! This should give you a lot to think about, though, and I provided action items for each of the sections above to give you a head start on creating a space where your baby can thrive, explore, and develop.