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Most babies start moving — rolling, scooting, then crawling — well before parents expect, which is why baby-proofing tends to work best done in advance rather than in a rush. A room-by-room pass covers more ground than trying to remember everything at once.
When to start baby-proofing
A reasonable rule of thumb is to start around four to six months, before mobility really picks up, since it's easier to fix hazards while a baby is still stationary than to chase a moving target. Some basics — like securing furniture and covering outlets — are worth doing even earlier.
Kitchen
- Install cabinet and drawer latches, especially near cleaning supplies.
- Move sharp objects and small appliances out of reach.
- Use back burners when cooking and turn pot handles inward.
- Store trash and recycling behind a latched door if possible.
- Unplug and put away small appliances after use.
Bathroom
- Store medications, vitamins, and cleaning products in a locked cabinet.
- Add a toilet lock if your baby is starting to pull up.
- Set your water heater to 120°F (49°C) or lower to prevent scalding.
- Use a non-slip mat in the tub.
- Never leave a baby unattended near any amount of standing water.
Living room and common areas
- Anchor bookcases, dressers, and TVs to the wall.
- Cover electrical outlets not in regular use.
- Add corner guards to sharp furniture edges.
- Install baby gates at the top and bottom of stairs.
- Check for small, swallowable objects at floor level (coins, batteries, small toy parts).
- Tie or shorten window blind cords, or switch to cordless blinds.
Nursery
Keep the crib free of pillows, blankets, and stuffed animals for infants, following current safe-sleep guidance. Make sure the crib is set to the lowest mattress position once your baby can sit or pull up, and check that no cords (from blinds, monitors, or lamps) are within reach of the crib.
Getting down to a baby's-eye view
One of the most effective baby-proofing tricks is simply getting down on the floor in each room and looking around from a crawling baby's height — hazards that are invisible from standing height (a dangling cord, a low outlet, a sharp table edge) often become obvious immediately.
