Babyproofing is twofold: you want to remove things that pose a hazard, but you also want to brainstorm ways to support their newfound mobility!
In other words, a baby on the go shouldn’t be stopped – but safely supported.
Here’s how to get started:
Go through each room of your home and identify immediate hazards to remove.
Cover electrical outlet.
Anchor heavy furniture such as bookshelves, dressers, and TVs to the wall to prevent them from tipping over.
Use safety gates to block off stairs and rooms that are off-limits.
Lock cabinets and drawers containing harmful items like cleaning supplies, medications, and sharp objects. You can also move these items up high when possible.
Keep cords from blinds, curtains, and electronics out of reach, or use cord shorteners to eliminate strangulation hazards.
Remove choking hazards such as coins, buttons, and small toys.
Install window guards or window stops to prevent falls.
Use corner guards or edge bumpers to soften sharp edges on furniture, countertops, and fireplace hearths.
Always supervise your baby in the bathroom, and consider installing toilet locks, cabinet locks, and a non-slip bath mat.
Remove any toxic plants from your home or place them out of reach.
Go through each room of your home again, on your baby’s eye level, and identify ways to promote safe exploration for them once hazards have been addressed.
Do they have a safe space to move and practice crawling, pulling to stand, and eventually cruising?
Do they have an orderly space to reach their own toys?
In the kitchen, is there a cabinet that is safe for them to open, for supervised discovery of everyday items like pots and pans?