{"id":5304,"date":"2026-09-02T12:18:19","date_gmt":"2026-09-02T19:18:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kpthrivingfamilies.org\/pediatricsblog\/?p=5304"},"modified":"2026-05-22T09:19:04","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T16:19:04","slug":"childproofing-your-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kpthrivingfamilies.org\/pediatricsblog\/childproofing-your-home\/","title":{"rendered":"Important and Easy Steps to Childproof Your Home"},"content":{"rendered":"

After so many years as a pediatrician, I\u2019ve seen way too many injuries that could have been prevented. And after raising three kids, I understand how hard it can feel to keep them safe! You might be tempted to just cover them with a layer of bubble wrap to protect them. Instead, let\u2019s look at some practical steps to childproof your home<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Start childproofing by looking at your home from a toddler\u2019s perspective!<\/h2>\n

I always tell parents to get down on their hands and knees and crawl around the house to see what danger they can get into. Can they pull a TV or dresser over? Can they grab the brightly colored dish soap pods from under the sink? Can they stick fingers in a socket, yank a lamp over, or chew on an electrical cord? I remember the day my husband and I did this crawl. It was eye-opening to see how much trouble we could get into.<\/p>\n

Think about childproofing as creating a safe place for your child to explore. You don\u2019t want to limit their curiosity \u2013 just let them explore safely.<\/p>\n

Keep adding to your safety routines as your child grows<\/h2>\n

Childproofing isn\u2019t a one-time task. The risks and solutions will change as they grow.<\/p>\n

0\u20136 months:<\/h4>\n

Focus on safe sleep and changing areas, and get ready for them to start rolling. Be sure your baby sleeps face up in a bare, boring crib or bassinet: no pillows, stuffed animals, bumpers or blankets. Also be sure not to put a crib under a window or heavy wall decorations.<\/p>\n

Never leave your baby unattended on a bed or changing table \u2013 they will be able to roll or wiggle right off those before you know it. Secure their changing table and dresser to the wall so it can\u2019t accidentally tip over.<\/p>\n

6\u201312 months:<\/h4>\n

As they start to crawl and explore, it\u2019s really time to buckle down on the childproofing! Place safety gates at the top and bottom of the stairs. Cover outlets with safety plugs, lock cabinets, anchor furniture, and block stairs with gates.<\/p>\n

1 year and beyond:<\/h4>\n

Toddlers move fast but don\u2019t understand danger yet. So, stay ahead of them! Increase cabinet locks, monitor climbing risks, and reassess regularly as mobility and curiosity expand.<\/p>\n

At this age, we see far too many tragedies caused by toddlers pulling heavy furniture over, falling out of windows, and drowning in backyard pools.<\/p>\n

Anchor bookcases, dressers and TVs to the wall. The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that: \u201ca child is rushed to the emergency department at least once every single hour of every single day with injuries from a furniture or TV tip-over.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n

Lock windows \u2013 even ones your child can\u2019t reach. They will soon be able to pull a chair or stool to look out a window, and screens will not stop their fall.<\/p>\n

In fact, this is a good time to think about anything your child could get into if they pull a chair over to help them reach higher. I remember watching my 2-year-old son use a stool to show his best buddy how they could undo the child look on the front door \u2013 which I thought would keep them safe from running into the street!<\/p>\n

Keep an eye out for this list of scary things that all too often hurt young children:<\/h2>\n

Button batteries and small magnets<\/strong>. These are tempting for infants and toddlers who love to put everything into their mouths. And they are amongst the most dangerous things in your home. Either don\u2019t have them or \u2013 lock them in high cabinets. Be sure to check devices \u2013 like TV remotes and toys to be sure covers are in place over magnets to keep them from falling out.<\/p>\n

Windows.<\/strong> Not only can kiddos stand on something to try to look out \u2013 they can also become caught in window blind cords. These need to be stored up out of reach or if the cord has a loop \u2013 cut it.<\/p>\n

Cleaning products.<\/strong> All-purpose cleaning sprays, bleach<\/a>, dish soap \u2026 Oh my! There are so many. One of the worst are laundry and dish soap pods. They look bright and fun to a toddler and dissolve almost instantly in their mouth, releasing the super concentrated poisonous fluid. Or if bitten, the pods spray in the mouth, nose and eyes. Keep these and all cleaning products locked up high out of reach.<\/p>\n

Medicines.<\/strong> Pills can look like candy \u2013 if you must keep medicines around the house, keep them out of sight and out of reach.<\/p>\n

Personal hygiene products <\/strong>like nail polish remover, mouthwash, and perfume. I have no idea why a small child would be attracted to these, but I have seen the aftermath of their curiosity \u2013 so lock things like this up high.<\/p>\n

Garage and garden products.<\/strong> There are so many dangerous things in both of these locations (herbicides, pesticides, gasoline, window washer fluid, etc.) Just like inside the home \u2013 move poisons way out of reach.<\/p>\n

Cigarettes, e-cigarette refills, THC and alcohol<\/strong>. These are extremely dangerous poisons for young children. Lock them up. Never leave unfinished drinks or cigarettes within reach of little hands. If you need help quitting use of these substances for your child\u2019s sake, please reach out to your doctor!<\/p>\n

Trash. <\/strong>Just like my puppy \u2013 kids will go looking into trash! If trash has sharp items or poisons take it out or lock it up.<\/p>\n

Weapons.<\/strong> The safest homes for children have no guns<\/a> – but If your home has a gun, please lock it unloaded and separate from its ammunition in a gun safe.<\/p>\n

Heaters, hot tools, liquids and foods.<\/strong> Avoid burns by keeping pot handles turned in, not leaving hot things within reach, not using tablecloths that can be pulled over. If you\u2019re cooking or barbequing do not leave the area until everything is cool to the touch. Keep hair tools unplugged and stored away. Set your water heater to 120\u00b0F or below to prevent accidental scalding. Block access to heaters, radiators and fireplaces.<\/p>\n

Plastic bags, latex gloves and balloons. <\/strong>All of these \u2013 even small torn of pieces of them \u2013 are choking and suffocation hazards. Dry cleaning bags are especially dangerous.<\/p>\n