Welcoming a new baby is an exciting experience, but preparing your home for their arrival can feel overwhelming. With so much information out there, knowing where to start with babyproofing can be difficult.
To help simplify the process, we spoke with Tracey Fejt RN, trauma outreach and injury prevention coordinator with Banner Children’s. She shared her top tips for making each area of your home safer for your little one.
While babyproofing might not be at the top of your to-do list yet, Fejt recommends starting early. “The best time to babyproof a house is while you are pregnant,” she said, “because you can be proactive, not reactive. Get down at a child’s level and see what they could get into once they start crawling.”
Babyproofing is an ongoing process as your child grows and reaches new milestones. Use this room-by-room guide to identify potential hazards and make your home as safe as possible.
Bedrooms
"Unsafe sleep environments are very dangerous," Fejt warned. "In Arizona alone, we had 65 sudden unexpected infant deaths (SUID) in 2021, a 23% increase from the previous year. Notably, 82% of these deaths were caused by suffocation in unsafe sleeping environments."
SUID can happen suddenly and unexpectedly, even in otherwise healthy infants. While it can’t always be prevented, following safe sleep practices can help reduce the risks.
Babyproofing tips for bedrooms:
- Keep cribs free of stuffed animals, pillows, blankets and bumpers to prevent suffocation.
- Always place babies on their backs to sleep on a firm, flat mattress.
- Don’t allow babies to sleep in car seats, swings, bouncers or other sitting devices.
- Use a crib with slats no more than 2 3/8 inches apart to prevent a baby’s head from getting stuck.
- Place cribs away from window coverings, hanging cords or anything that could fall.
- Install a door lock or doorknob cover on bedrooms to keep toddlers from wandering at night.
Living room or den
"Secure any furniture that can tip over on a child," Fejt advised. "Children become little superheroes once they start to crawl. They will be climbing on everything and using furniture to brace themselves when trying to walk, which could cause unsecured furniture to topple."
Babyproofing tips for the living room or den:
- Prevent tip-overs by anchoring dressers, bookshelves and TVs to the wall.
- Use corner guards to cover sharp edges on coffee tables, side tables, and fireplaces.
- Keep power cords, window coverings and other hanging items out of reach.
- Use cordless blinds or secure cords high up to prevent strangulation hazards.
- Lay down a non-slip rug or rug pad to reduce tripping risks.
Kitchen and bathrooms
"All poisonous items need to be locked away," Fejt stressed. "Common household dangers look completely different to young children, which means they will try to drink things like pine cleaner because it can look like apple juice."
Babyproofing tips for the kitchen and bathrooms:
- Set your water heater to 120°F to prevent burns from hot water.
- Install child-resistant latches on cabinets, drawers and toilet lids.
- Store cleaning supplies, medications and toxic liquids in a locked cabinet.
- Unplug and store away appliances like coffee makers, hair dryers and curling irons when not in use.
- Keep sharp objects like knives and scissors in a drawer with a safety latch.
- Use stove knob covers and turn pot handles inward while cooking to prevent burns.
Stairs and hallways
Falls are one of the leading causes of injury in young children. Properly securing stairways and hallways can help prevent falls and serious injuries.
Babyproofing tips for stairs and hallways:
- Install safety gates at the top and bottom of staircases.
- Use a gate at the top of stairs that screws into the wall for added security.
- Ensure hallways and stairwells are well-lit to prevent trips.
- Use handrails and make sure stair carpeting is secure.
- Avoid leaving toys or other objects on stairs.
Backyard and outdoor spaces
"Drowning is always a concern with children," Fejt said, "especially those younger than age 5. Drowning prevention should be top of mind. Be sure to have multiple layers of protection to keep children from the pool."
Babyproofing tips for the backyard:
- Secure pet doors and install locks on sliding glass doors to prevent children from wandering outside.
- Surround pools or spas with a five-foot-high fence and a self-closing, self-latching gate.
- Install a cover to prevent access to hot tubs or small ponds.
- Regularly check outdoor play equipment for stability and potential hazards.
- Keep fire pits covered and grills off-limits when not in use.
Final thoughts: Creating a child-safe home
Babyproofing doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Taking it room by room can help you focus on the most dangerous items first and gradually make adjustments as your child grows.
Remember that choking hazards are also a common concern—small objects, loose coins and even certain foods can pose risks. Keep anything that could fit in a toilet paper roll out of reach.
Your child’s environment will continue to change, so regularly reassess safety measures. If you have any concerns or need guidance, reach out to a Banner Children’s provider for expert advice.
Recommended reading
- 12 Everyday Objects That Aren’t Safe for Babies and Toddlers
- The Ultimate Age-by-Age Toy Guide for Children (Birth to 7+)
- What to Do If Your Child Takes a Serious Tumble or Fall
Content in this article was updated on March 16, 2025.
