Baby Proofing Checklist

Our safety checklists will help you create a safe environment for your baby. But remember,  baby proofing does not take the place of proper adult supervision. Never leave a young child unattended.

Nursery

The nursery should be one of the safest rooms in your home. You should feel confident that your baby is totally safe here.

  • Install smoke detectors in all sleeping areas and check batteries monthly.
  • Install a carbon monoxide detector and check batteries twice a year.
  • Keep furniture, including crib, away from windows.
  • Secure all dangling drapery cords and blind cords with a cord wrap or blindwinder mounted out of reach.
  • Use window stops so windows do not open more than 4 inches, or window guards to prevent a tragic fall.
  • Do not use bumpers (suffocation hazard).
  • Remove all toys from crib when baby is sleeping (suffocation hazard).
  • Crib slat spacing should 2 3/8” or less.
  • Once your baby can pull themself up and stand, set the crib mattress to the lowest position.
  • Remove mobiles from cribs when your child begins to reach for them.
  • Use a nursery monitor to listen when you are out of the room.
  • Keep older children’s toys away because of small parts.

Electrical

Children are very curious about electrical outlets and cords.

  • Cover all outlets with outlet protectors.
  • Use outlet protectors that cannot easily be removed and are large enough so that children cannot choke on them.
  • Cord shorteners can help secure excess lamp and appliance cords.
  • Use a power strip safety cover to protect exposed power strips.
  • Use a wire guard to cover exposed cord or speaker wire along a wall.
  • Keep fans and portable heaters out of baby’s reach.

Kitchen

The kitchen is full of potential dangers to your child.

  • Latch your dishwasher at all times. Add the soap only when you are ready to run the machine.
  • Use the back burners on your stove, and keep the pot handles turned to the back. Install a stove guard barrier.
  • Use an oven lock to prevent access to the hot oven.
  • Use stove knob covers to prevent use.
  • Install a refrigerator latch to keep your child out.
  • Refrigerator magnets can be a chocking hazard, keep them out of reach.
  • Install cabinet latches at the under-sink cabinet if you store cleaning products here.
  • Install cabinet latches on all drawers and cabinets that are within child’s reach.
  • Distract babies from forbidden places by keeping one cupboard unlocked and filled with baby-safe items.
  • Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen.
  • Move appliances to rear of counter and secure dangling cords.
  • Keep all emergency numbers by the phone, including Poison Control.
  • Always strap child in high chair.
  • Avoid using tablecloths.
  • Keep trash cans out of reach or use can with child-proof lids.

Furniture

  • Put corner cushions on sharp edges and corners of tables.
  • Remove glass top coffee tables.
  • Move tall lamps and coat racks from baby’s reach.
  • Secure all tall bookcases, dressers, televisions and entertainment centers with anti-tip safety straps to prevent toppling.  Store heavier items on bottom shelf for stability.
  • Use a strap like lock to secure stereo cabinets, file cabinets and appliances.
  • Use safety straps to stop TV’s, computers and other equipment from moving.
  • Check all accessible drawers and remove dangerous items.
  • Check the underside of chairs and tables for protruding nails or screws.
  • Keep child away from exercise equipment and folding chairs or tables.

Poison Proofing

  • Get rid of toxic houseplants such as philodendron or move them out of reach.
  • Your purse or a visitor’s purse can hold medicines, toiletries, and other dangers — move out of reach.
  • Move cleaning agents, medicines, hand sanitizer, vitamins, toiletries, mothballs, and other potentially toxic items out of reach or lock them up.
  • Post the number for the American Association of Poison Control Centers’ national emergency hotline, (800) 222-1222, near phones.

Window

  • Install window guards to help prevent falls from windows.
  • Install window stops to prevent windows from opening beyond 4 inches.
  • Install window blind cord wraps to prevent the strangulation hazard.

Stairway and Banister

  • Use safety gates to help prevent falls down stairs and to keep children out of dangerous areas.
  • Securely mount gates to the wall/banister at the top of a staircase. Do not use pressure gates.
  • Only use vertical slat gates, not diamond mesh-type as children can get a foothold to climb over the gate.
  • Banisters should have balusters with a 4 inch space or less.  If wider than 4” use a clear plastic banister guard to protect.

Fireplace

Babies are drawn to the warmth and sparkle of a fire.

  • Use a fireplace gate to keep child at a safe distance from it.
  • Remove gas jet key from fireplace and place out of child’s reach.
  • Use hearth cushions if you have a raised hearth.
  • Move poker and other fireplace tools out of reach.

Balcony & Deck

Secure your outdoor living spaces.

  • Safeguard the railing of a raised deck or balcony with a deck guard.
  • Modern-type pipe railings with big openings can be childproofed by installing clear plexiglass.
  • Ensure chairs and furniture cannot be used for climbing over railings.
  • Block deck stairs by installing a baby gate.
  • Protect the BBQ grill with a hearth gate or keep baby indoors while in use.

Driveway

Kids often play in driveways.

  • Use a retractable driveway guard to safeguard child from street traffic.
  • Use a safety sign to warn motorists of children’s presence.

Door

  • Install bi-fold door locks to prevent babies from pinching their fingers or opening bi-fold doors.
  • Door knob covers will keep babies from opening off-limits doors but will allow adult use.
  • Use a door pinch guard or a door holder to prevent pinched fingers.
  • Install an emergency door lock releases to prevent lock-ins.
  • Replace all metal stops with removable rubber tip (choking hazard) with a one-piece door stop. Also replace the flexible coiled spring type which can pinch fingers.
  • Use a sliding door flip lock to prevent access to sliding doors.
  • Mark sliding doors and other expanses of glass with colorful stickers.