Is Your Sofa Safe? A Guide to Childproofing your Home

When a new baby comes along, it is so important to set about childproofing the home. Little things that we take for granted everyday could turn into dangerous risk areas, especially when toddlers become more independent and explorative. Most childproofing measures are quite simple to implement and definitely worth the effort. Browse each section below to see how to make every room at home a safer place for your child.

Garage and Family Car

• When travelling, always keep your baby securely strapped into a baby car seat.
• If you have to leave the car, take the baby with you instead of leaving them alone even for a short period of time.
• In general, keep the baby away from the garage, especially those with tools and machinery that could be dangerous.
• Keep garage door openers well out of reach of young children.
• Toxic substances including pesticides and other chemicals should be either locked or placed on high shelves.

Kitchen

• Use a stable high chair with a well-fitting seat belt when feeding babies or young children at the table.
• Use your wrist to check the temperature of formula or other warm drinks that are given to children.
• Remove any sharp or pointy objects, such as forks, knifes or chopsticks.
• Keep breakable items and toxic cleaning supplies locked or out of reach.
• Store plastic bags safely and don’t allow babies or children to play with them.

Bedroom and Nursery

• When cleaning a baby on the changing table, never leave them unattended.
• Keep hanging mobiles and small toys well out of reach.
• Avoid suffocation risks by keeping pillows and soft toys out of the crib.
• Blankets, sheets, and other bedding, as well as clothes should be flame resistant.
• Don’t leave food or medication within reach of the baby, especially when they are unattended.

Bathroom

• Always stay with your child while they are in the bathtub, or at least have a trusted family member to supervise bath time.
• Touch the water and make sure the temperature is suitable for your child before immersing them.
• Use a children’s toilet seat on top of the toilet and keep the lid closed at other times.
• Keep medicines as well as soaps and shampoos in high or childproof cabinets.
• Install rubber bath mats or adhesive grip panels on the bathtub floor so that children don’t accidentally slip or fall.

Around the Entire House

• Install window guards on all windows, even in rooms that the child might not enter.
• The mesh netting around the play area should be fine enough so that babies would not be able to poke their fingers or wrists through it.
• Use grip material or tape to secure rugs to the floor and prevent slipping.
• Install safety gates near staircases and the kitchen to prevent kids from wandering or falling.

• Maintain clean air quality by eliminating smoke, mold and other air-borne substances.
• Prevent kids from eating plants or soil by keeping houseplants on high ledges or outdoors.
• Any spills should be cleaned and dried right away.
• When the baby is playing with other infants or animals, make sure that an adult is always supervising.
• Any flammable materials, including lighter fluid and matches should be kept locked in a safe place.
• Use safety covers to seal off electrical outlets from small children.
• Monitor any deteriorating paint on walls and repair or repaint it when necessary. Paint chips and debris should be cleaned off the floor immediately.
• Equip the house with smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in all main areas.
• Bookshelves, as well as other types of cabinetry should be properly secured, without small or breakable objects on the lower levels.
• Cover heaters and fireplaces with ventilated guards to avoid accidental burns.
• All furniture and cabinets should have rounded covers on the corners.

Further Reading

• Childproofing Room by Room – Follow an interactive cross section of a house to find potential hazards and tips on securing them.
• Preventing Accidents at Home – Learn how common items can cause harm to children and infants, and use a series of safety checklists to cover the entire house.
• How to Childproof a Home – From toys to magnets and water temperature, this guide covers the finer points of childproofing indoors.
• Simple Childproofing Tips – Review the basics of eliminating dangers to young children around the home.
• Dangerous Home Hazards – Find out how to safeguard kids from falls, water hazards, poison, fire, choking, pets and night-time risks.
• Age-Specific Safety Pointers – Choose the age of your child and review the home safety tips that are appropriate for them.
• Helpful Home Precautions – Help kids to understand their role in avoiding physical risks at home by using designated stickers to mark dangerous products.
• Maintaining a Safe Nursery – From the paint on the walls to carpeting and cribs, learn how to recognize and eliminate hidden risks to babies.
• Common Home Hazards – Learn about some of the most common home hazards, including loose wires, glass objects, open toilet seats and more.

• Childproofing a Crib – Read an in-depth guide on choosing a baby-friendly crib, including information on slats, mattress, wood and posts.
• Bathroom Safety Tips – Anti-skid rugs, anti-scalding fittings on showers and taps and locked cabinets are some ideas of ensuring a safe bathroom for infants.
• Safety Devices – Find out about some of the most useful and popular safety devices to help ensure your child’s safety at home.