Baby-Proofing Your Home Before Day One
Don’t wait until the baby is home to make your home safe. Ideally, baby-proofing should be completed weeks before the baby’s arrival, whether you are a first-time parent or welcoming a new sibling.
The “Crawler’s Eye View” Test: Get down on your hands and knees and crawl through every room. Look for what is at your baby’s eye level. You will be shocked at what you see.
A Simple Room-by-Room Checklist:
- Nursery:
- Crib meets current safety standards (no drop-side rails).
- Firm mattress with a tight-fitting sheet. No bumpers, pillows, blankets, or stuffed animals.
- Baby monitor cords are out of reach (shorten with a cord shortener).
- Living Room:
- Anchor furniture (bookshelves, dressers, TVs) to the wall.
- Cover all electrical outlets.
- Use cordless blinds or wrap cords high out of reach.
- Install safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs.
- Remove any small objects from the floor and low shelves.
- Kitchen:
- Install cabinet and drawer locks.
- Keep all cleaning supplies, chemicals, and sharp objects in a locked cabinet, preferably up high.
- Use a stove knob cover.
- Never leave hot food or liquids on the edge of a counter.
- Bathroom:
- Keep all medications, vitamins, and toiletries in a locked cabinet.
- Set water heater to 120°F (49°C) to prevent scalding.
- Never leave a baby unattended in the bath, even for a second.
