Once your baby starts rolling, scooting, and crawling, the world becomes their playground — and your home becomes full of potential hazards. Baby-proofing might feel overwhelming, but tackling it room by room makes it manageable.
When to Start
Start baby-proofing before your baby is mobile — ideally around 4-5 months. Babies become mobile faster than you expect, and you want your home ready before that first roll off the changing table or crawl toward the stairs.
General Rules for Every Room
- Get down to baby level. Crawl around each room to see what's within reach.
- Cover all electrical outlets with safety plugs or plate covers.
- Secure furniture to walls — bookshelves, dressers, and TVs can tip over.
- Use cord management to keep blind cords, electrical cords, and charging cables out of reach.
- Install smoke and CO detectors on every level of your home.
Kitchen
The kitchen is one of the most dangerous rooms for babies:
- Install stove knob covers and an oven door lock
- Use back burners when possible and turn pot handles inward
- Lock cabinets containing cleaning products, sharp objects, and small items
- Keep appliance cords pushed back from counter edges
- Use a baby gate to block kitchen access during cooking
- Store plastic bags and wrap out of reach
Bathroom
- Never leave a baby unattended near water — not even for a second
- Set your water heater to 120°F (49°C) to prevent scalding
- Install toilet seat locks
- Store medications, razors, and cleaning products in locked cabinets
- Use non-slip mats in the tub
- Keep hair dryers and other electronics unplugged and out of reach
Living Room
- Pad sharp coffee table corners and fireplace hearths
- Secure flat-screen TVs with anti-tip straps
- Move breakable items to higher shelves
- Check that houseplants are non-toxic (common toxic ones: pothos, philodendron, peace lily)
- Ensure window blind cords are out of reach or use cordless blinds
- Block access to fireplaces with a sturdy gate
Nursery / Bedroom
- Ensure the crib meets current safety standards
- Keep the crib away from windows, cords, and wall decorations
- Anchor dressers and changing tables to the wall
- Use a video monitor instead of propping doors open
- Remove or secure any small objects, coins, or button batteries
Stairs and Hallways
- Install hardware-mounted gates at the top and bottom of stairs
- Pressure-mounted gates are only safe for the bottom of stairs
- Ensure stair railings are no more than 4 inches apart
- Keep hallways clear of tripping hazards
Laundry Room
- Keep detergent pods locked away (they look like candy to toddlers)
- Ensure washer and dryer doors stay closed
- Store iron and ironing board out of reach
Garage and Outdoor Areas
- Lock all chemicals, paints, and pesticides in high cabinets
- Keep tools out of reach
- Fence pools and hot tubs with self-closing, self-latching gates
- Check outdoor play areas for sharp edges, splinters, and gaps
- Store small outdoor items (pebbles, mulch) away from play areas
Emergency Preparedness
- Post emergency numbers on the refrigerator
- Keep a first aid kit stocked and accessible (to adults)
- Learn infant CPR — consider taking a class before your baby is mobile
- Save Poison Control number in your phone: 1-800-222-1222
The Bottom Line
Baby-proofing is an ongoing process, not a one-time task. As your child grows and develops new skills, revisit your safety measures. What works for a crawling baby won't cover a climbing toddler.
Set reminders in Evo to revisit your baby-proofing as your child reaches new mobility milestones.