Toddler-proofing your home

Toddler-Proofing Your Home: Creating a Safe Haven for Your Little Explorer

Toddlers are naturally curious and adventurous. Their exploration of the world, however, can sometimes lead them into potentially dangerous situations. Toddler-proofing your home is essential to create a safe environment where your little one can explore freely without risking injury. It’s an ongoing process that evolves as your child grows and becomes more mobile.

General Safety Guidelines:

• Get Down to Their Level: The best way to identify potential hazards is to get down on your hands and knees and see your home from your toddler’s perspective. What can they reach? What looks tempting to touch or climb?
• Regular Inspections: Regularly inspect your home for new hazards or changes in your child’s abilities. What was safe last month might not be safe today.
• Think Ahead: Consider potential hazards before they become a problem. As your child grows taller and more agile, they’ll be able to reach new things.

Specific Areas to Focus On:

• Kitchen:
  • Cabinets and Drawers: Secure cabinets and drawers containing cleaning supplies, medications, sharp objects, and other potentially dangerous items with child-proof locks or latches.  
  • Stove and Oven: Use stove knob covers to prevent your toddler from turning on the stove. Never leave hot pots or pans unattended on the stovetop. Keep oven doors closed and locked when not in use.  
  • Appliances: Keep appliances unplugged when not in use and keep cords out of reach.  
  • Sharp Objects: Keep knives, scissors, and other sharp objects stored safely in locked drawers or high shelves.  
  • Garbage Cans: Use garbage cans with locking lids to prevent your toddler from accessing potentially harmful items.
• Bathroom:
  • Medications and Toiletries: Store all medications and toiletries in locked cabinets or high shelves, out of reach and sight.  
  • Toilet: Use toilet locks to prevent your toddler from falling into the toilet or playing with the water.  
  • Bathtub and Shower: Never leave your toddler unattended in the bathtub or shower, even for a moment. Use non-slip mats in the tub to prevent falls.
  • Electrical Outlets: Cover all unused electrical outlets with safety plugs.  
• Living Room/Family Room:
  • Furniture: Secure tall or unstable furniture, such as bookshelves, dressers, and televisions, to the wall to prevent them from tipping over.  
  • Cords and Wires: Keep cords and wires from lamps, electronics, and window blinds out of reach. Tie up loose cords or use cord shorteners.  
  • Sharp Corners: Cover sharp corners of tables and other furniture with corner guards.  
  • Fireplace: If you have a fireplace, use a fireplace screen to prevent your toddler from getting too close.  
• Bedrooms:
  • Crib Safety: Ensure your child’s crib meets current safety standards. As your child grows, lower the mattress and eventually transition them to a toddler bed when they are ready.
  • Window Blinds and Curtains: Keep cords from window blinds and curtains out of reach. Consider cordless options.  
  • Small Objects: Keep small objects, such as buttons, coins, and jewelry, out of reach. These can be choking hazards.  
• Stairways:
  • Baby Gates: Install baby gates at the top and bottom of stairways to prevent falls.  
• Other Areas:
  • Garage: Keep garage doors closed and locked. Store tools, chemicals, and other hazardous materials out of reach.  
  • Outdoor Areas: If you have a yard, make sure it’s fenced in and secure. Keep poisonous plants out of reach.
  • Pool Safety: If you have a pool, install a fence with a self-closing and self-latching gate. Never leave a child unattended near a pool.

Important Reminders:

• No Substitute for Supervision: Toddler-proofing your home is essential, but it’s not a substitute for adult supervision. Always supervise your toddler closely.
• Choking Hazards: Be mindful of small objects that could be choking hazards. Keep them out of reach.
• Poison Control: Keep the number for Poison Control readily available.  

Toddler-proofing your home is a continuous process. As your child grows and develops, you’ll need to make adjustments to ensure their safety. By taking these precautions, you can create a safe and nurturing environment where your little explorer can thrive.