A Guide to Making Your Home Safe for a Crawling or Walking Baby: From Outlet Covers to Baby Gates


As your baby reaches the exciting milestone of crawling or walking, a whole new world of exploration opens up for them. While this newfound mobility is a cause for celebration, it also means it’s time to think seriously about babyproofing your home. With curious hands and wobbly feet, babies can get into mischief quickly—especially in spaces filled with tempting but dangerous objects.
 To help you create a safe, secure environment for your little adventurer, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide on babyproofing your home, from outlet covers to baby gates. Let’s get started!

1. Babyproofing Starts with the Basics: Outlet Covers

Electrical outlets are one of the first things you’ll want to address when babyproofing your home. Babies love to explore, and those small holes in the wall can be a dangerous curiosity.

What You’ll Need:

  • Outlet covers or outlet plugs: These simple devices are a quick and effective solution to block access to electrical outlets. Look for options that are easy for you to remove when needed but difficult for your baby to pull out.
  • Sliding outlet covers: These are a great choice for homes with lots of outlets, as they slide to cover and uncover outlets as needed—no plugs to lose.

2. Baby Gates: Essential for Blocking Dangerous Areas

Once your baby starts crawling or walking, stairs and certain rooms—like the kitchen, bathroom, or areas with heavy furniture—become potential danger zones. Installing baby gates in key locations is one of the best ways to keep your baby out of harm’s way.

What You’ll Need:

  • Stairway gates: If you have stairs in your home, installing a baby gate at the top and bottom is a must. Look for gates that are securely mounted to the wall, as pressure-mounted gates can be less stable.
  • Pressure-mounted gates: These are perfect for doorways or hallways, where you may need to move the gate frequently. Just make sure it’s installed tightly and fits well within the doorway.

3. Sharp Corners and Edges: Softening Hard Surfaces

Crawling and walking babies are prone to tumbles and bumps, and those sharp corners on furniture, tables, and countertops can easily lead to injury. To avoid trips to the ER, consider adding corner protectors and edge guards.

What You’ll Need:

  • Corner and edge protectors: These soft, cushioned covers can be easily applied to the corners and edges of furniture, countertops, and other hard surfaces.
  • Foam bumpers: Ideal for tables and bookshelves, foam bumpers help minimize injury if your baby falls or bumps into them.

4. Securing Furniture: No Tipping Over Allowed

As your baby becomes more mobile, they’ll start pulling themselves up on furniture. While this is a huge milestone, it’s also when tipping hazards become a concern. Make sure your furniture is secure and stable to prevent accidents.

What You’ll Need:

  • Furniture anchors: These are essential for securing heavy furniture like bookshelves, dressers, and TV stands to the wall. Be sure to install them according to the manufacturer's instructions for maximum safety.
  • Anti-tip straps: For large furniture, anti-tip straps can be a life-saver. They can be attached to the wall to prevent tipping if your baby pulls on the furniture.

5. Toxic Chemicals: Lock It Up

Cleaning supplies, medications, and other toxic substances should always be out of your baby’s reach. Babies are naturally curious and love to explore their environment, which could mean reaching for dangerous substances you may not even think about.

What You’ll Need:

  • Cabinet locks: Install childproof locks on all cabinets and drawers that contain cleaning products, medicines, or sharp tools.
  • Child-resistant containers: For items like medications or laundry pods, always use child-resistant packaging to make sure they’re safe even if they manage to open a cabinet.

6. Choking Hazards: Babyproof Your Small Objects

The world is full of tiny things that could become choking hazards for your baby. Items like coins, small toys, batteries, and even buttons can be dangerous if your baby puts them in their mouth.

What You’ll Need:

  • Choking hazard check: Routinely check your home for small items that could pose a risk to your baby. Use the "toilet paper roll test"—if it fits inside a roll of toilet paper, it’s small enough to be a choking hazard.
  • Toy safety: Make sure that any toys or objects your baby interacts with are age-appropriate, with no small detachable parts or sharp edges.

Supervision Is Key

While babyproofing your home is an essential step, the best way to keep your little one safe is always supervision. No amount of safety products can replace a watchful eye when your baby is exploring new environments. As your baby grows and their mobility increases, you’ll need to reassess your home’s safety regularly and make any necessary adjustments.

At Maydolly, we also understand how important it is to create a safe environment for your baby. That’s why we offer different baby gears to help you make your baby stay in a safe environment as safe and secure as possible. From bassinet to high chair, we’ve got you covered—literally.

 

References:

WFMC, (October 5, 2021), How to Childproof Your Home When Your Baby Starts Crawling

https://wfmchealth.org/pediatric-health-care/how-to-childproof-your-home-when-your-baby-starts-crawling/

Clevelandclinic, (October 4, 2022), A Guide To Childproofing Your Home

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/a-guide-to-childproofing-your-home

Growingkids, (March 22, 2022), 4 Tips to Baby Proof Your Home

https://growingkids.com/4-tips-to-baby-proof-your-home/

Getparentingtips, Babyproofing Your Home

https://getparentingtips.com/babies/safety/babyproofing-your-home/

by Vincent Jim – December 18, 2024

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.