Babies and Toddlers

Child Proofing Your Home

Be sure to check out Child Safety Forum for updated safety information!

The Bathroom
• To avoid burning the baby's delicate skin, check the bath water temperature before putting your baby into the bath tub. Water should feel warm, but not hot, to the touch.
• Never leave your child alone in the bathtub or near water to prevent children from drowning.
• Ensure medicines and cleaning products are in containers with safety caps. Any leaky bottles or cartons should be discarded.
• If your bathroom is not carpeted, place throw rugs or other non-slip covers to avoid your little one from slipping.
• Place child proof latches on your cupboard drawers.
• Place a latch on the toilet seat to prevent your baby from drowning in the toilet.
• Keep your bathroom clean. Uncleanliness can spawn bacteria which can make your baby ill.
• To avoid electrocution, make sure all electric cords are far away from sinks and the bathtub.
• Make sure there is no way your baby can accidentally lock themselves in the bathroom. Read the manufacturers manual for directions on how to unlock a bathroom door from the outside.
• As with any room, make sure electrical outlets are covered.

The Kitchen
• Keep cords and electrical appliances out of your baby's reach. Use twist ties to bundle up excess electrical cord when necessary.
• Put away tablecloths, since babies can not pull down hot liquids and objects on themselves. Decorative placemats can add the same decorative touch to your kitchen table.
• Make sure your child's highchair is installed with safety straps. Double check to make sure the safety straps are in good repair.
• Ensure all household cleaning products are in childproof containers to avoid poisonings. Discard any leaky bottles or cartons.
• Place matches and plastic bags in the highest of cupboard drawers. Plastic bags can suffocate your little one.
• Take knives off the counters so baby cannot pull them down onto themselves. Place locked knife sheaths if available.
• Place cupboard locks on the cupboard drawers containing household cleaning products, knives, and other hazards.
• Use the back burners on the stove, always turning pot handles turned to the back of the stove to lessen the likelihood little arms will grab ahold.
• Make sure all cupboard drawers are in good repair and handles are firmly attached. Your baby will use the cupboard handles to hold onto when roaming around the kitchen.
• Keep the kitchen clean. Unsanitary conditions can breed bacteria which can make your baby and you ill.
• If your kitchen is not carpeted, place slip-proof matting on floor area which may get wet. This will keep you and your baby from slipping.
• Make sure all electrical outlets are covered.

The Nursery
• The baby crib or bassinette - The baby crib must meet many criteria.
  • Make sure your baby's crib is in sturdy. There should be no loose parts or missing hardware. Babies can become trapped between broken crib parts which may result in suffocation or strangulation.
  • Make sure baby crib slats meet today's standard, ensuring there is not more than a 2.375 inch gap between slats. This will help prevent a baby's head from becoming stuck between slats. Make sure the slats are secure. Be aware of hand-me-down cribs, as they may not be up to today's standards.
  • The baby crib corner posts should never be higher than the end panels.
• Placement of the crib - Place the crib away form windows and electrical outlets. A baby's crib should not be placed near window blinds or curtain cords.
• The baby mattress - Make sure the baby mattress is in good repair. The mattress should have no holes and not have loose batting.
• Above the crib - Make sure there are no loose objects above the baby crib to fall on your little one. Better yet, make sure there are no objects at all above the baby crib. Should you have a mobile, the mobile should be well out of baby's reach when baby is unattended.
• Electrical covers - Ensure all electical outlets are covered.
• Baby monitors - If using a baby monitor, make sure the monitor and receiver are firmly attached to a shelf of wall. Make sure any electrical cords are well out of baby's reach.
• Stuffed animals - Stuffed animals are cute, but they should not be left in the crib when the baby is unattended.
• Curtain cords - Ensure curtain cords are shortened, preventing a baby from strangling in the loop of the cord.
• Lighting - Lighting should be adequate to ensure the baby is sfe and sound. Take care in placement of lamps and other lights, ensuring they cannot be tipped or unrested by the baby. Bulbs should always be kept our of the baby's reach.
• Baby changing station - If your nursery has a baby changing station, make sure the station is well fastened and adequately prevents the baby from taking an unnecessary fall.