Ultimate Baby Proofing Checklist

Babies start to crawl at around 8-months on average, which means that many little ones start moving around even earlier.

A crawling baby will start pulling up during this time also, so tables, counter tops, tables and other areas are no longer out of reach and safe for your baby to be around without safety measures in place.

Use this babyproofing checklist to help you prepare and identify any possible hazard areas around your home. Then crawl around on your hands and knees to get a view from your baby’s perspective to ensure you’ve covered things from all angles.

First Aid

Take an infant first-aid course!
Keep a first-aid kit easily accessible and stocked at all times.

Bathing

Fill the bathwater no higher than your baby’s waist when they are sitting. If your baby is 6-months or younger, or is not yet sitting, fill your bath with about 13cm of water, or enough to reach the shoulders as you support your baby.
Never, EVER leave your little one unsupervised in the bath. Not even for a moment
Place non-slip bath mats in the bath and also on the floor outside of the bath (also for your own safety).
Some other items that are also available for extra protection from bumps and scraps are;
Soft cover for bath spout.
Use warm water only (use a thermometer to make sure the water is 35 to 37 degrees Celsius).
Covers for bath taps.
Bath seat for your baby to sit in. Not, these are not substitutes for supervision!

CHECK OUT OUR COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF BABY PROOFING BATHING PRODUCTS

Toilet

Install a toilet-seat lock to prevent drowning.

Clothing

Don’t use clothing with drawstrings.

High Chairs

Use a sturdy, wide-based high chair with a 5-point harness.
Install a hook-on chair securely onto a table that can’t tip over.
Use safety straps and harnesses to prevent your child from lifting or standing.
Place the high chair away from areas where your baby can reach out to hazardous items or push against another surface or wall.
Never leave your baby unsupervised.

Change Tables

Use safety straps on the change table and never leave your baby unsupervised. If you need to turn your head away for a moment, make sure to keep place hand firmly on your baby so that your baby will not tip off the change table. Try changing your babies diaper on the floor (if your back can deal with it).
Keep baby wipes, diaper sacks and other items within arm’s reach, but out of your baby’s reach.

The Cot

Do not use cot bumpers, or soft bedding such as pillows or comforters under your babies sleeping space.
If you have a dropside cot, make sure to keep the dropside up and in a locked position when you are not in the room.
When your baby can raise up to hands and knees, remove mobiles and any other hanging items withing reach.
Do not leave toys or other items in the cot when your baby napping or sleeping.
Once your baby can pull up, adjust the mattress to the lowest position.

Sleep

Lay you baby down to sleep on their back for sleep and nap time.
Do not put your baby to sleep on water beds, sofas or any other soft surfaces.

Preventing Burns & Scalding

Never carry hot drinks or food when holding your baby.
Never hold your baby while at the stove and cooking.
Do not drink hot liquids while holding your baby.
Install an oven door guard to protect your baby from burns.
Keep hot drinks and food away from edges counters and tables.
Turn pot and pan handles towards the back of the stove.
Turn off appliances when they are not longer being used.
Keep hair dryers and straighteners away and out of reach. Lock them away when not being used. Use drawer locks for extra protection.

Electrical Cords & Electrical Outlets

Turn off electrical outlets when not in use. Install safety plugs or outlet covers over them, or block with furniture.
Hide electrical cords behind furniture, or use a hide-a-cord device.
Keep hair dryers, toasters, kettles and other appliances unplugged and out of reach.
Doors
Use doorstops and door holders to protect your baby’s fingers.

CHECK OUT A FULL RANGE OF BABY PROOF ELECTRICAL SAFETY PRODUCTS.

Windows, Blinds & Curtains

Make sure to check that blind cords are out of your babies each.
Mark sliding doors and other glass with colorful stickers to prevent your child running into them.
Keep cots and furniture away from the windows.
Install window guards and window stops.

CHECK OUT A FULL RANGE OF BABY PROOF BLINDS AND CURTAINS PRODUCTS

Preventing Falls

Don’t leave your baby alone on couches or beds, in a bouncy or high chair, on a change table or in any other area from which they could tumble or fall.
While at the store, use the safety belt on your shopping trolley to keep your baby safely in the seat. (bring one of your own if not provided by the store).
Install safety gates to block stairways at the bottom and top.

CHECK OUT A FULL RANGE OF BABY GATES

Toys

Make sure toys have no buttons, eyes, beads, ribbons or other pieces your baby could pull off and put in their mouths.
Have no long cords or strings.
Are the right age-range for your baby’s age and physical skills.
No heavy toys (if a toy would hurt your baby if it fell, it’s too heavy).
Cannot be hung or looped around your baby’s neck.

No-Access Areas

Keep hazardous objects such as knives, heavy pans and plates locked up or out of reach.
Limit access to areas you don’t want your baby getting into with baby gates, door locks and knob covers.
Install locks on cupboards and drawers that contain hazardous items or chemicals.
Keep rubbish and recycling in locked cupboards, and use babyproff your bin lids.
Block access to fireplaces, radiators and floor heaters.
Lock the refrigerator with an baby proof latch.
Don’t use tablecloths that your baby can pull down.

CHECK OUT A FULL RANGE OF BABY PROOF DRAWER LOCKS

Furniture

Install corner and edge guards to any sharp edges.
Anchor furniture that can tip (bookcases, televisions, bookcases etc.) to the walls.
Secure flat-screen TVs with safety straps so they can’t tip on your baby.
Place tall, unstable lamps securely behind couches and other large stable furniture.

CHECK OUT A FULL RANGE OF BABY PROOF FURNITURE PRODUCTS

Poison-Proofing

Move cleaning products, medicines, vitamins, toiletries, dishwasher and laundry liquids, and other toxic chemicals out of reach. Lock them up for extra safety.
Your handbag or a visitor’s handbag can hold medicines, toiletries and other dangerous items, so move them away out of reach.
Dispose of toxic houseplants or move them out of reach.
Do not put household chemicals into unlabeled containers.
Put the number for your local “Poisons Advice Telephone Hotline” within sight.

Fire

Install a fire screen on your fireplace and keep it in place when a fire is lit.
Use a freestanding baby gate as a barrier in front of your fireplace.
Store logs, matches, lighters and fireplace pokers and equipment out of reach.
Check smoke alarms monthly by pressing the test button until the alarm sounds. Replace the batteries each year or as directed in the instructions.
Plan a fire escape route, and review it regularly.

Sun

Keep your baby in the shade and protected from the sun as much as possible.
When outside, protect your babies skin with hats, light-colored clothing with long sleeves, and a sunscreen with an SPF factor of 30 or more.

Water

Never leave your baby unsupervised near a pool or other body of water.
Put fencing around pool areas that complies with laws in your area, as well as a self-closing latch gate.
Never leave even small amounts of water or any other liquids in buckets or other containers.
Shift furniture away from the pool fence to prevent your baby climbing over the fence.
Empty baby pools and store bottom up after use.

Car

Keep your baby in a rear-facing car seat until they reach the maximum height and weight limits.
Install the car seat properly and securely as per instructions, in a rear-facing position, preferably in the middle of the back seat.

Congratulations on your new arrival!

Should there be any other things that we can add to this baby proofing checklist we will make sure to do so.