North States Blog

Show Filters

5 Childproofing Tips for Your Mobile Baby

Jan 29th 2020

Whether you’re expecting your first child, your baby is rolling over, or they’re starting to crawl, here are a few tips for providing a safe environment for your baby.

Childproofing the home is an important part of safely raising a child. But remember, childproofing is not one-size-fits-all. When your baby reaches different levels of mobility—crawling, toddling, walking—you will have to ramp up your protective tactics. So, as you’re getting ready to protect your home for your little ones, keep these five safety tips in mind:

1. Be Strategic with Safety Gates

  • Get your gates up before baby starts to crawl.
  • Use gates to keep stairways, exercise equipment and other potential dangers off limits.
  • A pressure-mounted gate (the kind that is secured to the wall with pressure instead of screws) should never be used at the top of stairs, always use a hardware mounted gate with screws for extra security.
  • Read up on Gate Basics to learn more about different types of gates and where they should be used.

    • 126385152-1264439534653-small.jpg

    Use gates to protect kids and babies from dangerous stairways.
    Riverstone Extra Tall & Wide Gate Photo credit: Morgan Goodwin

    2. Practice Crib Safety

  • Do not use cribs manufactured before 2011, when strict federal safety standards were implemented. Cribs from your own childhood should never be used, even for a visit to the in-laws.
  • Be sure to position the crib and changing table away from windows, lamps, hanging wall decorations, electrical or blind cords, shelves and climbable furniture.
  • Keep the crib clutter-free without pillows, heavy quilts, fluffy blankets, bulky bumpers or large stuffed animals that could be a potential suffocation hazard or that a larger child could use to climb out of the crib.
  • Reduce suffocation risk by using a breathable, washable mattress.

    • 3. Use Locks, Latches and Covers

  • In the bathroom:
    • Attach an Adjustable Strap Lock to your toilet.
    • Store all toiletries and cleaning products on high shelves or in cabinets with childproofing items installed, such as a Large Sliding Cabinet Lock, Corner Drawer Lock, or Drawer & Cabinet Tab Latch. Remember, even perfume, nail polish remover, baby oil, mouthwash, rubbing alcohol and deodorizers can be hazardous.
    • Keep all vitamin and medicine bottles tightly closed and stored in a high cabinet far from reach.
  • In the kitchen:
    • Add Adjustable Strap Locks on dishwashers, ovens, and refrigerators.
    • Keep kids out of lower cabinets with a Large Sliding Cabinet Lock or a Rotating Cabinet Latch. Secure any drawers containing knives, scissors, or sharp utensils with a Drawer & Cabinet Tab Latch or Corner Drawer Lock.
    • Install a safety cover on the garbage disposal switch to protect little hands from accidentally turning it on.
    • Prevent your child from turning on the stove with Appliance Knob Covers.
  • Throughout the home:

    • 6144-meghan-jenay.jpg

    Pinch Protectors can save your little one's fingers from getting stuck in the doorway.
    Premium Pinch Protector

    Photo credit: Meghan Jenay

    4. Prevent Drowning Hazards

  • Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional injury-related death for two-year-old children.
  • Both crawlers and walkers can drown in as little as one inch of water because they are top heavy and don’t have the upper body strength needed to lift themselves out of dangerous drowning situations.
    • This means that toilets, buckets, sinks, coolers and bathtubs can all pose an in-home drowning risk to your little one. Be sure to store all buckets upside down, empty ice out of coolers, keep toilet lids closed and use Adjustable Strap Locks on the toilet seat, and remember to always drain water out of the bathtub.
    • Never leave young kids unattended in a bath, even for a minute.
  • Childproof the Pool
    • Keep little ones out of the pool area by installing a durable fence around the perimeter of your pool. 

    • shutterstock-1402269677.jpg

    Never leave kids unattended in the bathtub!

    5. Prepare for Disaster

    • Keep a working fire extinguisher in the home and make sure family members know how to use it. Install a smoke detector outside your child’s room.
    • Learn first-aid, including CPR and the age-appropriate Heimlich maneuvers.
    • Keep important phone numbers stored in your cell phone and another easy-to-find location; include doctors and caregivers, local police and fire agencies, parents' work and cell numbers, neighbors and relatives.
    • Talk about the best place or places to take cover in the event of a tornado, windstorm or other natural disaster.

    Every parent’s top priority is their child’s safety, and it's never too soon to begin thinking about potential hazards and how they can be made safer. You can even put childproofing items, safety gates and play yards on your baby shower gift registry, because it’s always better to be prepared.

    Tags: