baby gateMelanie Christensen, editorial intern

The easiest way to childproof your home is to crawl around your house on your hands and knees and see things from your baby’s perspective, said Helen Henson-Hale of Logan Regional Hospital. “You’d be surprised what you notice from that perspective that you wouldn’t normally notice,” she said.

Hanging cords, open outlets, small toys, standing water, glass objects and more could all be dangerous for small children. It may feel overwhelming to make sure your house is a safe space for your baby to play. To make sure you don’t miss anything, here’s how to childproof every room in your house.

Everywhere

  • Put up gates. Make sure you have baby gates at the top and bottom of all staircases to keep your little one from falling, even if there are only a few stairs.
  • Use outlet covers. Keep little fingers out of the holes. Also hide cords as much as possible.
  • No small toys. If it fits through a paper towel roll, it’s too small and could be a choking hazard.
  • Unplug unused chargers. They can carry a charge when they’re plugged into the wall.
  • Don’t use glass-topped tables. They can easily shatter.
  • Check smoke and C02 detectors. Do this monthly to ensure they’re always working.
  • Use cordless window coverings or tie up long drapery cords. They could be a strangling hazard.
  • Put guards on the windows. Make sure small children can’t climb up to them or find a way out.

Kitchen

  • Lock up sharp objects. Keep knives, cheese graters, forks, etc. out of reach.
  • Lock up chemicals. Move your chemicals out from under your sink and into a high, locked cupboard.
  • Get rid of dangerous chemicals. Do some research and get rid of any harsh chemicals. Opt for safer, milder cleaning products.
  • Keep electrical appliances off the counter. Toddlers can pull them down onto their heads.
  • Keep choking hazards high. This includes small snacks and anything small enough to fit through a paper towel roll.

Bathroom

  • Lock toilet seat. To prevent drowning, make sure there is no standing water (including pet water dishes, buckets of water, etc.).
  • Secure harsh chemicals and small objects. Think cleaning chemicals, hair ties, bobby pins, etc.
  • Set your water heater to 120 degrees or lower. This may seem low if you like to take really hot showers, but it’s at this temperature that a child can turn on a hot faucet and not get burnt.
  • Check door lock. Make sure you can still get in the bathroom if your child gets locked in.

Bedroom

  • Keep pillows, fluffy or heavy blankets and bumpers out of cribs. To prevent suffocation.
  • Secure furniture to the walls. This includes dressers, TVs, shelves, etc. so they don’t fall if your child tries to climb or pull down the furniture.
  • Install stops on dresser drawers. This is to prevent them from being pulled all the way out.