Child Proofing Tips To Keep Babies and Toddlers Better Protected

This year my toddler has reached new heights of curiosity. Some of it is innocent, harmless curiosity, like getting into the lotion and covering himself in it. But there’s also dangerous and harmful things like ingesting chemicals. After my second run in with poison control, I decided more drastic child proofing measures needed to be taken to keep my growing 3 year old safe. Since there’s few places he can no longer reach, I went back to the basics of “baby proofing” my home. If you’re an expecting mom add these items to your baby registry now!

Keep reading for ideas on how to protect your baby or toddler from household dangers.

Child Proofing Your Home For Babies and Toddlers

Baby Specific Child Proofing

Before your little one is ready to begin potty training you may want to childproof things like toilet seats or the bathroom as a whole. Try lid locks for securing only the toilet and door knob covers for securing the entire bathroom. This keeps your curious little one out of nasty places. Other areas to secure from babies include stairs for early crawlers (try gates) and cribs for climbers. With cribs, make sure you adjust the depth for the stage your child is in — higher for small babies, and lower for early toddler stage. According to Babycenter, beware of drop side cribs as millions were recalled, and ultimately banned by the CPSC.

Babies, Younger Toddlers, and Older Toddlers Child Proofing

Chemical Storage

Step 1 of child proofing for me was to gather everything toxic that could be ingested. Since this was the most eminent threat, I prioritized it. Instead of proofing all of my cabinets which, in my opinion, entices a child to figure it out, I decided to proof my largest cabinet. In this house, that’s under the kitchen sink.

Since I already keep most of my household products there this was simple. I moved things like toilet bowl cleaners, shower/tub cleaners, fingernail polish remover, and more into this area. Yes it was going to be inconvenient when I was ready to clean, but that was a small price to pay for safety and my overall sanity.

I took everything that wasn’t toxic out of this cabinet. Then, after I arranged everything under the sink, I added a latch. This latch that I got off amazon with prime next day delivery (I was serious 😅), is made just for cabinet sets. Since under the sink is the only lower cabinet I have like this, I just got a 2-pack. I love this particular cabinet proofing system because it doesn’t require adhesive, is easy to use, and works with my type of handles.

Outlet Covers

Typically when everyone thinks of child proofing, electrical outlet covers are the first thing parents run out and buy. These arguably entice children by drawing their attention. However, they still keep them safe as most are nearly too hard for adults to take off. To keep your little one’s fingers safe, or any objects from being inserted, try these outlet covers.

Corner Covers

I can’t stand how ill prepared I was for the toddler stage. No one in my family has had to go to the lengths I have child proofing for my son. Learn from my mistakes though especially if you’re a boy mom in a family of mostly girls.

My son was spinning in circles (despite me asking him not to), got dizzy, and fell next to my tv stand, and now has a permanent gash on his face. Cover your sharp corners! I had done this perviously with a coffee table but as I’ve added new furniture didn’t think to.

These are the best corner covers I’ve purchased and I highly recommend! The best part is there’s 12 in a pack so this should secure at least 3 pieces of furniture.

Entry Door Lock

With apartment complexes trying to be trendy, I don’t think I’ve stayed anywhere with door “knobs” in a long time, especially for bedrooms. Some apartments only have lever handles on every door, including the outside door.

To combat this and having a toddler, I finally invested in a lever stop. I compared and compared and compared. I began reading only the bad reviews (and videos) so that I knew what I was getting into. Finally, I landed on this door lever lock by OutSmart. Their worst review was actually a good review and that’s when I knew I had found the right one.

Try this affordable child proofing lever lock.

Bye Bye Plug-ins

This sacrifice probably hurt my heart the most. I swear by Bath & Body Works’ wallflowers. I mean, love them. But my son figured out how to unscrew the fragrance and it was bye bye plug-ins.

The good news is I have some above counter level outlets that I still use a couple, but anything he could reach I had to let go of. So I guess I have to become a candle girl 🙄. The things we give up for motherhood.

Remove Door Stop Caps

This was one that even I didn’t think of until I saw my son playing with it. Door stops are like kid heaven. We’ve all been bored and listened to the door stop “boing” as a child. Well a lot of stops are now made with a rubber cap on the tip (likely to save your door from damage). The problem is that some are removable or over time become removable after wear and tear. This is a choking hazard to both babies and toddlers.

Test your caps to see if you can remove them and put them away if they can. Renters can always place them back on no harm, no foul.

Child Proof Your Blinds – Shorten Cords

Here’s one that most parents forget when they are learning how to child proof their homes. Most blinds come with a glaring warning label attached to the cords warning of a strangulation hazard. Yet, it’s somehow still furthest from our mind when child proofing. You can either choose to cut your cords and re-tie them (if you’re not renting). Or you can choose to get a cord wrap which will allow you to unravel as much as you need to get your blinds at the perfect height.

Try Cardinal Gates Wraps for less than $10 on Amazon.

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