Every minute, there are about 250 babies born! If you’re planning for one of those births yourself, you’re probably wondering what you need to know about baby proofing.

“Baby proofing” refers to the process of eliminating potential dangers to a baby in your home. While babies might not seem capable of getting into much trouble, there are a surprising number of common household risks they can face.

Your baby will start crawling faster than you know it. Once they’re mobile, a baby can get into all sorts of potentially risky household stuff. When you childproof your home, you can rest easier knowing that your baby is protected.

But what do you need to know before you can start baby proofing? Here’s a starter list of common baby proofing steps you should take.

Window Protection

A crawling baby will soon start pulling up in preparation for walking. Even though your windows seem out of reach, they’re an important place to start babyproofing.

Remove furniture near a windowsill that your baby could use to climb up. Just in case, you should also install window grills so a child can’t fall out of the window. A window screen isn’t strong enough to keep a baby from falling out of a window, so a window grill is essential.

It’s also important to install window blinds or curtains that don’t have cords. The cords can pose a strangling hazard. Buy cordless window treatments instead.

Fire Safety

Before you know it, your baby will be a toddler who gets into everything. Small children can easily strike a match or light a lighter on accident, without knowing what it does.

Lock up matches, lighters, and anything else that can start a fire. While you’re at it, hide your candles away, too. The wax can look like an enticing — but dangerous — snack to a small child.

If you have a fireplace, protect your child from the flames by installing heat-resistant grates. Install pads on the edges of sharp, hard hearths where a child could fall and hit their head.

Make sure you have smoke detectors on every floor of your house and near each bedroom. Double-check that those detectors are in good working order before bringing a baby home.

Glass Removal

Anything that’s glass can break when it’s within reach of a flailing baby. Broken glass isn’t just annoying to clean up — it can also lead to nasty cuts.

Make sure everything glass is locked up and out of reach before you bring your baby home. In addition to obvious items like wine glasses, make sure to remove other glass items like picture frames, vases, coffee tables, and candle holders.

Water Temperature

The current hot water temperature in your home is likely way too hot for your child. Set your hot water temperature down to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, which is much less likely to cause dangerous burns even if your child accidentally turns on the hot water.

This can also help make bathtime safer, although, of course, you must never leave a baby unsupervised during a bath, no matter what.

Sharp and Heavy Objects

You likely already know that you should lock up sharp objects like knives and scissors behind childproof locks. However, heavy objects can also fall and pose a risk. Lock up heavy pots and pans and other unsecured heavy items.

Slipping and Tripping Hazards

Are you prepared for your baby’s first steps? You will be if you eliminate slipping hazards in your home.

It’s a good idea to put soft rugs on hard, slippery floors. However, make sure those rugs have antiskid backings, since a loose rug can also become a slipping hazard. If a rug skids, it’s better to remove it.

Check for small objects that could trip a running toddler, too, like cords that run across the floor.

Television Risks

You may be thinking of how to make sure your child watches appropriate things on television. However, a more immediate risk comes from the television set itself.

If your television isn’t secured, a baby could reach up and make the set fall. It could land on the baby, or the broken glass could cut them. Make sure to anchor your television set to the wall so it can’t fall.

Electric Safety

Power strips and outlets can look like playthings. Your child could stick something metal in one of the sockets and get electrocuted. Plus, a power strip on the floor is yet another tripping hazard.

Put power strips out of reach, such as behind heavy furniture, if you can. Use covers to protect your child from exposed power strips and outlets.

Heavy Furniture

Tall, heavy furniture like dressers can tip over and cause serious injuries. All of these items must get anchored to the wall or floor so they can’t fall.

Make sure nothing dangerous, like a glass picture frame, is on top of a dresser. Toddlers quickly learn to use dresser drawers or other furniture as steps, accessing whatever’s on the top.

Watch out for baby-height furniture edges where your child could hit their head, too. Buy pads for sharp edges and corners.

Edible Threats

Any tiny object on the floor or within reach can pose a choking hazard. Babies and small children may try to eat anything. You’ll need to eliminate all of these small objects from a baby’s reach, including paperclips, small toys, and even crayons (which can be broken into smaller pieces).

Don’t leave potential choking hazards sitting on a counter or other surface where they could fall to the floor. Get in the habit of putting those items where your child can’t reach them.

Cleaning products are another “edible” threat. While you’ll want to have a clean home, consider switching to safe cleaning products such as those at safehomecleaningproducts.ca. And even with safe products, make sure they’re locked out of reach when you aren’t using them.

Ready to Start Baby Proofing?

There are hundreds of possible baby threats in every home. While there’s more to baby proofing than what’s listed here, this childproofing checklist will get you started by eliminating some of the most common threats.

Of course, baby proofing is much easier when you own a home instead of renting one. You won’t need to worry about putting anchor holes in the walls or installing cabinet locks when it’s your own home. If you’re wondering if now is the time to buy, check out our tips in the Home Buyers section!