The Ultimate Baby Proofing Checklist: +100 Safety Tips

Written by Watchful Dad in Baby Proofing,Essentials,Guide

While preparing the house for our new baby, I had to take a babyproofing 101 crash course. That’s how I create this babyproofing checklist.

I remember waiting for my first child and trying so hard to babyproof everything around our home. That is when I start researching babyproofing ideas, but no list seems complete. That’s why I created this checklist.

Get ready for a complete babyproofing 101 class.

This article will cover the following:

Downloadable PDF Babyproofing Checklist

Are you looking for a printable version of this checklist? I’ve got you covered with the following babyproofing checklist in PDF version.

Baby proofing must-haves kit

With the following products, you can babyproof your entire house. Each item is among the best babyproofing kits you could get.

Baby proofing Products Price More details
Stairs and doorway Cardinal Gates $$$$$ Check price on AmazonOpens in a new tab.
Cabinet locks Safety 1st Locking System $$$$$ Check price on AmazonOpens in a new tab.
Cabinet straps Munchkin Xtraguard latches $$$$$ Check price on AmazonOpens in a new tab.
Door knob covers KidCo doorknob lock $$$$$ Check price on AmazonOpens in a new tab.
Finger pinch preventer Safety 1st $$$$$ Check price on AmazonOpens in a new tab.
Window guard Guardian Angel child safety $$$$$ Check price on AmazonOpens in a new tab.
Blind cord wraps Dreambaby $$$$$ Check price on AmazonOpens in a new tab.
Furniture safety brackets Mommy’s Helper $$$$$ Check price on AmazonOpens in a new tab.
Corner protectors Roving Cove $$$$$ Check price on AmazonOpens in a new tab.
Plug cover Jambini self-closing outlet $$$$$ Check price on AmazonOpens in a new tab.

General Safety Tips

Before you start babyproofing every inch of your home, ensure you and everyone in the house follow these safety tips.

  • Never leave your baby alone: Even for a second! It only takes a moment for an accident to happen.
  • Have a visible emergency phone number list: Create an emergency contact list and medical information on your phone. Make it accessible even in lock mode. Teach older your older kid how to use it.
  • Take a children’s CPR class: This class could save your kid’s life.
  • Have a fire escape plan: Make one, share it with other family members, and review it each year.
  • Ensure your home number is visible outside: Put more lights, place it in a better location, or anything so the first respondents can locate your home quickly.
  • Safe play space: Create a safe play area with soft surfaces and age-appropriate toys for your little one.
  • Watch out for small objects: Never leave small objects your baby could swallow or choke on.
  • Get down on your baby’s level: Try to see things from their perspective and spot any potential hazards that may have been overlooked.

Accidents can happen to anyone, so it’s better to be safe than sorry. Now let’s review the babyproofing checklist for specific areas of your house.

Do a Walk-Through of Your Home

Doing a home walk-through is essential to ensure your baby is safe.

Start at the entrance of each room and check for potential hazards like sharp corners, electrical outlets, cords, and small objects that can be choking hazards. Secure furniture, cabinets, and appliances that can be pulled or climbed on.

It’s also important to check windows, doors, and gates to ensure they are secure and can’t be opened by your little one.

Start by the kitchen, since it’s the room where we spend the most time!

Babyproof the Kitchen

Kitchens are full of hazards like sharp objects, hot surfaces, and chemicals that can harm your little ones. Babyproofing your kitchen can prevent accidents and keep your little ones safe while you cook and clean.

Here are the main elements to secure your kitchen:

Securing Cabinets and Drawers

It’s important to keep your little ones away from harmful items like cleaning supplies and sharp objects.

  • Install cabinet locks and latches: to keep curious hands out of cabinets and drawers.
  • Install lockable lids on the garbage can: Install latches on the garbage cans, so your kids won’t go through the trash. Many small pieces could be a choking hazard.
  • If you have a lazy Susan, ensure it’s secured, so it doesn’t spin too fast.
  • Store cleaning supplies and chemicals: Place them in a locked cabinet or out of reach.
  • Keep breakable out of reach: Items like glassware and dishes should be in a cupboard.

For more information, check out this article about how to childproof your cabinets

Managing Kitchen Hazards

Here are some tips for managing hazards in your kitchen to help keep your little ones safe.

  • Cover electrical outlets and cords: Use outlet covers and cord shorteners.
  • Store plastic bags: Keep any choking hazards out of reach.
  • Store away the knives: Never leave the cutlery within the baby’s reach. Store away that butcher block sitting on your counter. The best place to store the knives is in the upper portion of the cabinets or inside a locked drawer.
  • Don’t leave your baby alone in the kitchen: When you are cooking, you can’t be watching your kid correctly and trying to finish as fast as possible the dinner meal. Put your baby in a safe zone. Many parents will have a gate in the entrance to fence the kitchen area while cooking or cleaning it. Otherwise, get a pack-and-play or a little swing.
  • Keep small magnets off the refrigerator: Even if they are useful for hanging paper and other important stuff on the fridge, they can also be a serious choking hazard for your baby. Even if you put them high, you could accidentally let one fall off when you close the refrigerator door.
  • Ensure the dinner table is sturdy and strong: Some parents prefer to hook a high chair to the dining table. If you do so, check first that the table is sturdy and robust enough.
  • Remove tablecloths: Get rid of tablecloths. Your baby could pull on it, and everything on top of it could crash.
  • Properly use the high chair: Always use the safety straps of the high chair. Never let your baby unattended in the chair.
  • Install smoke detectors: Put up smoke detectors on each house level, especially in the kitchen and outside the bedrooms. Also, twice a year, change the batteries.
  • Get a fire extinguisher: Buy one, and ensure everyone knows where and how to use it.
  • Keep hot food or drink away from baby: Don’t take a hot drink or food and your baby simultaneously. Push away hot drinks and food from the edges of your counter, kitchen island, or dining table.
  • Remove water and food for pets out of your baby’s reach: If you have a dog or cat around the house, place the water and food somewhere your baby can’t reach. First, it will prevent your baby from trying to eat the food and maybe choking on it. Second, you won’t have to clean the mess after your baby plays with it. And believe me, it will happen.

Securing Appliances

Your kitchen likely has several appliances that could be dangerous for curious little ones. Here’s what you can do to secure your kitchen appliances.

  • Install safety latches on the refrigerator: Install a safety latch on your refrigerator doors. This locking mechanism will stop your kid from playing with the food, trying to eat something too big, or dropping the pickle jar on the floor.
  • Lock the dishwasher: Only leave detergent in the dishwasher if you start it immediately. Too many kids go to the ER every year because they swallow the detergent. Also, you don’t want your baby to crawl on the knives and forks inside the dishwasher. Try to think about putting the knife blades upside down. If your dishwasher has a lock mechanism, use it. Otherwise, install a safety lock on the door.
  • Install stove covers and oven knobs: Kids love playing with buttons and handles, but it can be dangerous when connected to the oven. That is why you should install covers and knobs on your stove. Depending on your oven type, you could remove the knobs and store them in a cabinet beside them. Also, you should install a latch on the oven door. This protection will prevent your kid from getting a bump on the head while pulling on the oven door.
  • Cook on the back burners: You should start cooking with the back burners of the oven. Pot handles can be easily pulldown by a kid, or even you could accidentally burn your children. Also, never hold your baby in your arm while cooking.
  • Put the microwave out of your baby’s reach: Install the microwave in the upper cabinets. If you can’t and need to place it on the counter, never let food in it because your child could activate it and start a fire. Also, never open the door to grab hot food when your child is beside you. There are too many chances to drop the hot content on your kid.
  • Unplug and store away small appliances: Keep appliances like blenders, toasters, and coffee makers unplugged when not in use. Store appliances like mixers and food processors out of reach or in a locked cabinet.

Remember to secure cabinets, drawers, and appliances, manage hazards like sharp objects and cleaning supplies, and keep your kitchen safe for your curious little ones to explore. You’ve got this!

To fully proof your home, make sure you get the babyproofing equipment from this list!

Babyproof the Living Room

Living rooms are often the most frequently used in the house, full of hazards like sharp edges, cords, and small objects. Babyproofing your living room can prevent accidents and keep your little ones safe while you relax and spend time together.

Here are the main elements to secure your living room:

Anchoring Furniture and Securing TVs

Furniture and TVs can be dangerous for little ones if they’re not properly secured.

  • Secure heavy furniture: Secure all heavy furniture to the wall, using a safety attach or screw them to the wall. The type of furniture with the potential from tipping over is the bookcases, dressers, and cabinets.
  • Secure the TV: In my experience, the TV will be a constant attraction for your baby. Therefore put your TVs or any other heavy items on a stable stand, install safety straps, and move them as close to the wall as possible. Also, it could be the time to update to a flat-screen TV that you could hang on the wall.
  • Avoid furniture with glass doors: Avoid furniture with glass doors. In my experience, kids can be hard on furniture. Anything with glass can shatter in pieces at any time.
  • Install corner and edge bumpers: Check for sharp edges and corners from your furniture or counter. Cover them with safety padding. Put yourself at your kid’s height and check where he could fall or bump his head.
  • Store away the TV remote: Remote control could be mistaken for a toy, and it would be easy for a kid to open the battery compartment. Any kind of battery is dangerous. Baby can chock on them or get severe internal damage. If your kid swallows a battery, go to the ER right away.
  • Keep furniture away from windows: Reposition your furniture away from the windows, because your kid could use it to climb, reach for the window and fall. A window screen is useless when a baby pushes all his weight against it.

Managing Living Room Hazards

Here are some tips to help keep your little ones safe in the living room.

  • Place covers over unused electric outlets: Install safety plugs or outlet covers on any unused outlets. The sliding covers are better because they can’t be pulled out and choked on.
  • Hide electrical cords: Make it challenging to reach electrical cords by hiding them behind your furniture. To be extra careful, secure them to the wall. A cable cover is the most secure way to hide your baby monitor cable.
  • Secure the phone cord: Your kid could get wrapped around it if it’s too long or dangling. It would be best if you used this electric cord shorter.
  • Install a fireplace gate: Install a fireplace gate and cover it entirely. I think the metal screen is not right to keep your baby safe because it can get boiling.
  • Store away firestarter: Store away heavy logs, axe, and matches from your baby’s reach.
  • Store away the gas key: Store away the gas keys of your fireplace.
  • Install a carbon monoxide detector: You should install a carbon monoxide detector on every house level. Like smoke detectors, they are a lifesaver, but you must replace the batteries twice a year. You can also check for a smoke detector that is a monoxide detector.
  • Secure the cords from window-blind: If you have horizontal blinds with cords, cut the cords off or use a safety tassel. These cords are a severe strangulation risk to children.
  • Install window guards: Don’t rely on the window screen to protect your kid from falling off the window. Any windows accessible by your kid on the second floor or above should be shielded with window guards.
  • Secure windows opening: Another good way to secure windows is to limit the opening to a maximum of 4 inches.
  • Remove poisonous plants: Do some research on the different plant you have in your house to see if any is poisonous. Also, you should remove any cactus from your baby’s reach.
  • Store away the candles and matches: Store away any candles and matches. It’s likely for a kid to ignite a match accidentally. Many house fires are unexpectedly lit by children. Also, candles can be chewed on, and your baby can choke on the wax.
  • Store away your purse: Purses should always be kept out of your baby reach. Inform your visitors that you have a curious baby crawling around the house.
  • Store away your piggy bank: Store away your porcelain piggy bank. Your kid could think it’s a toy and try to climb up the library or dresser to grab the bank. There are too many ways to go wrong, from falling to choking on coins.
  • Install latches on doors and drawers: Install safety latches on any cabinets, doors, and drawers. It will prevent pinch fingers from your little explorer.
  • Secure shaky lamps: Reposition any tall and unsteady lamps behind furniture. Or avoid floor lamps because they can be easily pulled down.
  • Secure heavy wall hanging: Any heavy wall hangings are a possible threat to your kid’s safety. Even when they are well installed, your kid could knock them down. Also, be extra careful what you put on shelves because they could fall on their little head.
  • Secure glass photo frames: If you have photo frames with glass, make sure they are mounted safely to the wall. Kids can easily knock them down by accident. The shattered glass can be hazardous. Please put them where there’s less traffic in the house or replace the glass with plexiglass.
  • Store away the liquor and alcohol: The alcohol can harm your baby. Also, most bottles are made of glass and are easily breakable.
  • Gate floor heaters and radiators: Install gates or block access to floor heaters and hot radiators. Baby can get burned or electrified while playing with it.

Create a safe space for your little ones to play and explore. Anchor furniture and secure TVs manage hazards like electrical cords and small objects. And remember to enjoy some quality family time while you’re at it!

To fully proof your home, make sure you get the babyproofing equipment from this list!

Babyproof the Bathroom

Bathrooms can be dangerous places for curious little ones. It’s important to babyproof your bathroom to prevent accidents such as drowning, burns from hot water, and access to hazardous cleaning supplies and medications. By taking these simple steps, you can have peace of mind knowing that your child is safe while exploring the bathroom.

Here are the main elements to secure your bathroom:

  • Install safety latches and locks into cabinets, especially those containing medicine or any other dangerous products.
  • Never let your baby in the bathtub alone: When you give your child a bath to your baby, fill the tub with enough water to cover his legs. To a maximum of 3 inches high. Also, never let your baby in the bathtub alone, not even to answer the phone.
  • Store away sharp objects: Lock all razors, blades, scissors, and nail clippers in a cabinet.
  • Store away your medicine: Always check if the medications are inside a childproof content. Also, store them away from your baby’s reach.
  • Use non-slip mats in the bathroom: You can be extra careful and place the second mat beside the tub.
  • Install toilet seat lock: Install safety latches on the toilet seat cover to ensure your baby can’t get inside.
  • Check water temperature: Always check the water before bathing your baby. Do a test with your hand or wrist to ensure the water is not too hot.
  • Install tub spout cover: Install a tub spout cover to prevent head injuries. It will also prevent your baby from getting burned on the faucet.
  • Store away your contact-lens case: The lid can easily be twisted-off, and your kid could choke on them.
  • Secure the screw covers on the toilet’s base: The screw covers can easily get off. Those covers are very accessible to a crawling baby. They are serious choking hazards.
  • Store away cleaning agents: You must remove all cleaning agents, hand sanitizer, vitamins, dishwasher pods, and other possibly toxic products from your baby’s reach. Most items are as dangerous as medicine but not contained in a childproof container.
  • Stock your medicine cabinet and first-aid kit: Get a first-aid kit and stock our medicine cabinet with the essentials.
  • Install non-slip pads under all rugs: Kids will run around the house, and there’s a good chance they will slip on the carpet. Also, it will prevent you from having to replace it every day.
  • Check the water heater temperature: To make sure your kid does not get burned using the hot water, you should go to the source and regulate the water tank’s temperature. Put it to a maximum of 48 degrees Celsius.

To fully proof your home, make sure you get the babyproofing equipment from this list!

Babyproof the Bedroom

Your baby spends a lot of time in the bedroom, so it’s important to make it safe. Be sure to secure any furniture that could tip over and cover outlets. And remember, a clear crib is a happy crib – no toys, pillows, or blankets needed!

Here are the main elements to secure your bathroom:

Creating a Safe Sleeping Environment

  • Firm mattress: Use a firm and flat mattress in the crib or bassinet
  • Keep bumpers, comforters, pillows, and plush toys out of the crib.
  • Remove mobile above the crib: That cute mobile you bought on Etsy might not be suitable to be hung above the crib. The string and little parts could be dangerous to your baby.
  • Put your baby to sleep on his back: Don’t leave your baby sleeping with pillows or heavy blankets.
  • Place the crib in a safe place: Never place the crib beside windows or heaters because your baby could overheat. Also, remove all lamps and wall decorations around the crib because they could fall on your baby. Finally, move any furniture or toys that could be used to climb out or pull inside the crib.
  • Check for gaps between the crib slats: They should not exceed 3 inches apart. Also, check for loose bolts and screws that need tightening.
  • Lower the crib mattress, so your baby can’t climb out: Has your baby grows, you should lower the mattress. You should drop the mattress as soon as your baby can pull himself up.
  • Check if your crib follows safety standards: Especially if you get a second-hand crib. Check our article on crib safety here.
  • Don’t use drop-side cribs: Drop-side cribs are known to pinch little fingers. They are also unreliable because the mechanism tends only to clench sometimes. For more in-depth information, check out my article on crib safety.
  • Buy a baby monitor: A baby monitor is a great way to keep an eye on your kids while you are doing chores around the house. It will alert you the second your baby wakes up. If you want my advice on which baby monitor is the best for you, check out this list I created of the top baby monitors.
  • Use nonflammable safe sleepwear: According to the CPSC, sleepwear should be fire-resistant or snug-fitting in case of a fire. Loose-Fitting sleepwear can catch flame more easily. The CPSC records almost 300 incidents per year because of this.
  • Don’t use baby clothes with drawstrings: Drawstrings can look cute but also dangerous. Your baby could pull it off and choke on it.

Managing Bedroom Hazards

  • Secure furniture to the wall: Your kid will spend a lot of time in his room. Sometimes your kid will play alone and could try to explore. Even if you teach your children not to climb on furniture, they could try to do so one day. That is why you should ensure the dresser and other large furniture are secured to the wall to avoid tipping over.
  • Secure the cords from window-blind: If you have horizontal blinds with cords, cut the cords off or use a safety tassel. These cords are a severe strangulation risk to children.
  • Remove unsafe toys: Check toys for any small plastic parts or ribbons your baby could tear off and choke on. Also, remove any toys with strings longer than 12 inches.
  • Keep baby wipes and supplies out of baby reach: Have the baby wipes and supplies in a place that is easy to reach for you but not your baby. When you are busy changing the diaper, your baby could look for something to play with.
  • Put a thick rug beneath the changing table: If your baby falls off the changing table, a thick mat can make a huge difference.
  • Use eco paint in the nursery: Painting the nursery is essential to the ritual when waiting for a first child. Parents want to create a safe environment for their kids to sleep in. That is why you should only use non-toxic paint. Also, try to finish painting and put up the wallpaper at least a month before your baby’s due date. That way, you are not exposing your precious baby to paint fumes.
  • Use the safety strap of the changing pad: Never let your baby alone, even for a second, on the changing table. Take the time to use the safety strap. It’s better to lose 5 seconds to attach the strap than 5 hours going to the hospital.
  • Secure toy chest: Check if the toy chest has a spring-loaded hinge that smoothly closes the top. Otherwise, that toy chest could slam close on your toddler’s head.

To fully proof your home, make sure you get the babyproofing equipment from this list!

Babyproofing Around the House

As a babyproofing expert and a parent, I know that it’s important to babyproof around the house to keep your little ones safe. Hazards can lurk anywhere, so it’s crucial to be proactive and ensure that all areas of your home are safe and secure for your child. Don’t underestimate the importance of babyproofing every corner of your home!

Here are the main elements to secure your home:

  • Store away your firearm: If you have guns in your home, always keep them unloaded, with the trigger locked and stored in a gun safe. To be extra careful, get rid of them. Kids will explore the house and always be obsessed with what is in that locked safe. There is too much chance they will find a way into the safe.
  • Ensure your garage door safety sensor is working: To prevent your kid from getting crushed under the garage door.
  • Install baby gates at the top and bottom of the stairs: Every staircase should be gated, no matter the size of it. Install a hardware-mounted baby gate at the top and the bottom of the stairs.If you want my advice on which baby gate is best for your home, check out this list of top baby gates.
  • Never let your baby unattended where theirs a falling possibility: Be present when your baby is on the bed, sofa, high chair, bouncing chair, changing station, kitchen island, etc. Baby can easily do a fast movement or lose balance. It takes only a second.
  • Unplug hot items when not in use: Always unplug hot items such as the curling iron, blow dryers, or toaster. Also, put them out of your baby’s reach while they cool down.
  • Install doorstops and door holders: Think about your baby’s little fingers and protect them by installing them.
  • Install a landline: It will be a good idea to have a telephone connected by the landline. If the power is out or the batteries from your cellphone are dead, you can still place an emergency call from your home.
  • Check for peeling paint and wallpaper: Inspect your home for flaking paint and remove it. Has the paint been tested for lead if your house was built before 1978? This element was regularly added to residential paint but has been banned because of its harmful properties.
  • Use safer cleaning supplies: To protect your newborn baby, you should consider using safer cleaning supplies. Most hazardous chemicals you clean the house with can be replaced with vinegar, mineral oil, and eco-friendly cleaning products.
  • Don’t leave party balloons around the house: A latex balloon can harm a baby. Once popped, the balloon could be swallowed and stuck in your baby’s throat. This is a serious suffocating risk.
  • Don’t leave crayons around the house: Store your pens and crayons away. Your baby could try to chew on it and choke on a small piece.
  • Don’t leave a water bucket around the house: After cleaning, always empty the bucket and store away the cleaning solutions. Also, never leave any container. Your baby could drown in it.

To fully proof your home, make sure you get the babyproofing equipment from this list!

Babyproof Your Backyard

When it comes to babyproofing your outdoor areas, you want to make sure your little ones are safe from potential hazards. Always supervise your little ones while playing outside – even if you think everything is safe and secure!

Here are the main elements to secure your backyard:

  • Block opening from the balcony railing: Block any openings of the railings more than 4 inches wide. Use chicken wire net, Plexiglas, or this safety Railnet to cover the balcony opening.
  • Empty kid’s pool after use: Always empty the kid’s pool when not in use. Also, store it upright to avoid rainwater from filling it.
  • Install a fence around the pool: If you are lucky enough to have a pool, ensure it is surrounded by a fence and lock the door. To be extra careful, you could install an alarm on the pool door.
  • Empty open-air drain from excess water: After rain or snowfall, always check for any accumulations of water and drain it off.
  • Childproof the pool deck: A fence should surround your pool deck. The door to the pool should have a lock and close automatically. The door latch should be childproof, don’t just put a padlock because kids can easily forget to open it.
  • Don’t leave your baby unattended around the pool: This is important, and we never say it enough. Never, ever, even for a second, let a child by the pool unattended. Too many accidents could have been avoided if parents didn’t take the chance.
  • Install backyard fences and latches: Test the sturdiness of your backyard fences and gates. Also, you should install latches and an automatic closing mechanism on doors. This gate will prevent your kids from going in the street or beside the pool.
  • Store away gardening tools: Put them in a locked shed.
  • Create a kid-safe area: Kids love the backyard and should be allowed to play freely. To do so, you must fence off some areas, like bbq, tool shed, or other dangerous structures.
  • Keep your baby in the shade: When you are enjoying a sunny day outside, it’s better if your kid is playing in the shade, but if you don’t have a choice, remember to put sunscreen on your kid.
  • Make sure the deck is well sanded: Your baby will crawl all over the deck, so you better make sure it’s splinter free. Also, check for loose railing and nails sticking out.

To fully proof your home, make sure you get the babyproofing equipment from this list!

Babyproof Your Car

Babyproofing your car is crucial for your little one’s safety while traveling.

Here are the main elements to secure your car

  • Secure car seat: Always install the baby’s car seat rear-facing and fix it according to the manual. For more information on car seats, check out this article I created about the safest car seat for babies.
  • Don’t leave keys in the car: To prevent your kid from getting locked inside. Kids love to play with buttons, and if they shut the door while you are outside, they might not know how to open it back. This can be a stressful situation, especially on a hot summer day.
  • Never let your baby in the car alone, even for a second. It will prevent you from forgetting your kid in the car or getting intoxicated by monoxide.
  • Engage the rear door child locks: Babies love pulling and playing with handles. This attraction could be a problem if you are on the highway and suddenly the back door opens. Also, your kid could fall out of the car, trying when to get out.
  • Engage the window locks: You don’t know what could get in if the window is open from bees, bugs, trash, cigarette buts, rain, etc.
  • Keep your car clean from loose objects: Never put grocery bags, tools, toxic items, and small objects near your baby. They can be a choking hazard. Store them out of your baby’s reach.
  • Secure unused seat belts: Always secure the loose seat belts. If your kid plays with it, it can be a strangulation hazard.

To fully proof your home, make sure you get the babyproofing equipment from this list!

Now You, Too, Can Have a Childproof House

From my experience, babyproofing is not something and can do now, and stop thinking about it. Every home is different and has your child grow; new action needs to be taken to secure your home.

If you start with this list, 90% of the job is done.

To simplify this task, I created this babyproofing checklist PDF that you can print out. Just print it and go around the house to see if you need to make changes.

Here are the items I’ve used to childproof my home and keep my babies safe. Installing these essential childproofing items will create a safe home for your family.

Watchful Dad

HI, I'm the Watchful Dad, and I have two precious monkeys at home that I love with all my heart. I will share with you the tips to keep your kids safe while letting them be the little explorers they should be.

Recent Posts