You’ve got a toddler that moves around all the time, is inquisitive at every turn, and is on the move! That’s great, but this also means it’s time to think about childproofing. Building a cozy environment for your child does not have to be an overwhelming and time-consuming process.
A few simple tips can make your house a fun, safe place where your kid can run around, play, and learn.
Here’s a tour of every room in your home with easy-to-understand steps to help ensure your little adventurer never has to leave your side. From the first-time parent to a refresher course, this kidproofing guide has everything you need to know to feel secure in your space.
1. Starting From The Beginning: Outlets, Cords, and Things That Are Small.
Earn about Electrical Outlets: Small fingers get all over the house! Protect outlets with plastic caps or sliding covers, which are easy to cover in case you accidentally experience a shock. If you have power strips, invest in a power strip cover so your enquiring kids don’t chew on cords.
Secure Cords and Cables: Cords around the house invite messes. Be creative and tie cords together with ties or clips and clamp them against walls. With blind cords, wind up or hang them so the cord isn’t accessed and you can’t choke on it.
Watch out for Small Things: Small objects are choking hazards for young children. Look regularly on floors and low areas for coins, paperclips, buttons, and small parts of toys. Keep small things on taller shelves if your kid loves to pop stuff into their mouth.
More childproofing information: [American Academy of Pediatrics](https://www.aap.org) gives specific tips to make your home safe for kids of all ages.
2. Childproofing the Kitchen: A Supermarket for Risks in the House Home Safety Hazards!
The kitchen is usually where people’s lives happen to be happening – but it also comes full of risks. This article has all the tips you need to know about cooking in the kitchen safe for your kid.
Cover Stove Knobs & Stove Guards: Watchful hands are drawn to stove knobs and burners. Get a stove guard so little hands can’t get close to the burners, and cover the knobs so you don’t accidentally turn them.
Lock up cleaning supplies: Cleaners and chemicals should be out of the way, in a high cabinet with a lock. If not, try child locks on lower cabinets.
Sticky Items: Knives, scissors, and sharp tools should never be placed in a high drawer or cabinet. An angled magnetic knife strip on the wall keeps sharp items out of sight.
Check out the [U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission](https://www.cpsc.gov) for tips on avoiding common home accidents.
3. Living Room Security: Comfortable and Kid Friendly. Keep It Soft and Easy
The living room is where your family will likely be most often, so let’s keep it safe and cozy.
Anchor Large Pieces of Furniture: Kids are climbers, so be sure all the large pieces of furniture, such as bookshelves, TVs, and dressers, are securely attached to the wall. This stops tipping accidents, which happen quickly if your child climbs.
Hide Sharp Corners: Coffee tables and low shelves can have sharp corners, making them difficult for squirmy toddlers. Soft corner cushions, available online or in stores, can keep these corners safe.
Make the Fireplace Safe: If you have a fireplace, add a rubbery bump at the edge and a gate so little hands can’t get too close. Never let a child alone in a room with an open fireplace, even if it is well-childproofed.
To learn more about making your home kid-friendly, visit [Safe Kids Worldwide](https://www.safekids.org), which provides many injury prevention resources.
4. Babyproofing the Bathroom: Slippery Floors and Hazardous Items
Bathrooms can be challenging to childproof because of slippery floors and sharp corners, but with a bit of extra care, they can be more accessible.
Try Toilet Locks. Toddlers are interested in water, especially the water in the toilet. The toilet lock keeps kids from opening the toilet lid, which saves them from accidents.
Protect Medicines and Toiletries: Any medications, vitamins, or toiletries should be kept away from children, at a safe height, behind a locked cabinet. Never forget that childproof caps don’t always imply “child-safe” – they’re still there for strong little hands to fuck with.
Adopt Non-Slip Mats: Put a non-slip mat under the tub and on the bathroom floor to avoid slips and falls. This is particularly true in the bathroom, which has slippery floors.
Set Water Heater Temperature: Prevent fires by keeping your water heater set at 120 degrees F or below. This prevents you from scalding when a wacky child activates the hot water.
Visit [National Safety Council](https://www.nsc.org) for more bathroom safety tips and resources on avoiding home injury accidents.
5. Nursery and Bedroom: Comfortable and Secure Places for Sleeping and Play.
Your baby’s bedroom or nursery is where you sleep and play. Here’s how to make it a peaceful place.
Remember the Crib’s Sight: Keep your baby’s crib safe with well-spaced slats and no loose bedding or soft items. : Use only a fitted sheet – don’t use pillows, blankets, or toys, as they could make you more likely to suffocate.
Attend to Furniture and Remove Trash: In the living room, fix all large furniture to the walls so it won’t tip over. This includes dressers, changing tables, and bookshelves. Also, move toys and other items off the floor to avoid trips.
Window Locks and Cordless Blinds: If you have windows in the nursery, ensure they have window locks and cordless blinds to keep falls and strangulation at bay.
To read more on crib and nursery safety, visit [American Academy of Pediatrics](https://www.aap.org) for advice on safe sleep and nursery setting.
6. Awnings and Gates: Making It Easy for Small Travelers to Walk – Easily.
They have stairs and hallways that receive a lot of foot traffic and can be hazardous for young children. How can these spaces be made safer?
Buy Baby Gates: Install baby gates on the top and bottom of all stairs. Look for security hardware attached for gate installations at the top of the stairs. Don’t use accordion gates that will jam little fingers.
Use Non-Slip Rugs or Carpet Runners: If your hallways have hard floors, use non-slip rugs or carpet runners to ensure they are slip-free. Keep them well attached so they don’t fall over.
Don’t Clutter Hallways: Don’t fill hallways and stairwells with junk so you won’t t trip over it. This means storing shoes, toys, and bags away from walking routes.
To learn more about stairs, visit [Safe Kids Worldwide](https://www.safekids.org) for more fall prevention resources.
7. Outside Spaces: Childproofing Outwards From the Door?
If you have a yard, balcony, or porch, make these as secure as the interior of your house.
Monitor All Play Outdoors: Despite these tips, always supervise outside for your kid’s safety. Ensure play equipment is suitable for the child, and watch out for dangers such as uneven floors or missing nails.
Secure Pools and Water Gardens: If you have a pool, fence it around it with a locked gate. Water safety is very important; accidents can happen quickly. Clean any kiddie pools or water buckets after using them.
Take away or Lock Up Hazardous Tools and Chemicals: Outside tools and chemicals like fertilizers, pesticides, lawnmowers, and weed control should be locked away from children in a shed or garage.
You can read more about outdoor childproofing here: [HealthyChildren.org](https://www.healthychildren.org), which has more information on child water safety and safe outdoor play for kids.
Bottom Line: Childproofing Should Be Easy and Effective.
This needn’t be a never-ending project. Making your house comfortable requires a few tweaks so your child can roam in peace. Remember that knowing what to do is the most childproofing of all. As your child develops, there might be new corners of your home that you should take extra time to notice.
And oh yeah, you aren’t the only one! Many parents are going through the same things. For more specifics on childproofing, check out resources such as [HealthyChildren.org](https://www.healthychildren.org) or [U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission](https://www.cpsc.gov), which are great parent-friendly sources for tips to help keep your home safe.
Giving your child a place where they can learn is the best gift you could give – and with these tricks, you’re all set!