Download pdf of toddler proofing checklist
Watching your little one progress from crawling to walking is a milestone to be celebrated. The world suddenly opens up and within it are a plethora of things to grab, climb on and stick in your mouth! Toddlers are naturally curious, adventurous and depending on their age, can be a little bit sneaky. In other words, this is not the time to let up on childproofing your home! The older children get the higher they can climb to reach the things they want to get their hands on.
Your child’s age, their abilities and their temperament can help determine the extent of proofing you may require. While your parenting style and comfort level will also guide you, keep in mind that the single leading cause of death in children over one is unintentional injury, many of which are preventable.
While you can’t prevent all accidents from happening, there are things you can do around your home to help keep your toddler safe from danger. Here is a list of common hazards to watch out for.
Ensure your crib meets the federal safety standards
Lower crib railing if you have a child who is a climber (seems counter intuitive but may help prevent injury)
Do not leave toys, puffy blankets or pillows in the child’s bed (consider putting child to sleep in a sleep sack until they are out of their crib)
When your child is 35 inches tall, you can consider moving their to a bed
Use a safety railing to ensure your child does not roll out of bed
Do not leave smaller toys inside larger plastic bags (toys can be dumped and bag can be placed over head)
Remove small choking hazards from room, especially at bedtime (as a general rule, anything that can fit inside a toilet paper roll is a choking hazard)
Ensure all large furniture pieces that can topple are bolted to the wall with furniture straps
Tie or bind all dangling cords on window covers
Avoid placing furniture that a child can climb in front of a window
Do not trust that a screen will protect your child from a fall! If you do want to open the window, consider window stops or guards that restrict how far it can open (these apparatuses should be strong enough to prevent your toddler from removing but easy for you to remove in the event of a fire)
Cover all electrical outlets and remove all wires or appliances that plug in
Consider a baby monitor, preferably with video, so you can check on them regularly but make sure the cord is secure and out of reach (see our post on baby monitors we like here)
When you can, cook on the back burners with pot handles facing the back of stove
Never leave cooking food unattended on stove, even for a minute
Secure oven door with a clamp
Put a latch on drawers containing knives or other sharp objects
Household cleaning items (including dishwasher tabs) should be placed out of reach
Unplug kitchen appliances that sit on the counter and don’t keep cords dangling
Be aware of food in the fridge or pantry that your child may have access to and place out of sight or reach
Keep hot food and drink away from table/counter edges
Avoid table cloths or runners that can be pulled down
When placing a toddler in a highchair, ensure the seatbelt is still being used
Do not ever leave a child unsupervised in the bathtub, even for a minute
Use an anti-slip bath mat
Adjust thermostat to monitor hot water temperature below 120 degrees Fahrenheit (48.89 degrees Celsius) or attach a bathtub spout
Remove water as soon as bath is done
Ensure all vitamins, medications and other poisonous items are secure in medicine cabinet
Keep all makeup, razors, pins, perfume, mouthwash, nail polish and remover scissors or other harmful objects out of reach
Keep the toilet seat down or latched (or keep the bathroom door shut)
Clean bath toys regularly with vinegar and warm water to avoid mildew and mold, especially inside squeeze toys
All electrical outlets should be covered
Secure all large furniture pieces, like bookshelves and televisions, to the wall
Watch for lamps that can topple and secure all cords
All drapes or blind cord strings should be cut or secured
Cover all sharp corners with edge guards
Avoid placing breakable items within reach, including picture frames
Remove all poisonous plants or keep them out of reach
Avoid clutter or area rugs that your child could trip on
Blow out the pilot light to your electrical fireplace or install a fireplace safety gate
Use safety gates to restrict access to particular areas or rooms (remember to allow your child to practice going up and down the stairs with your supervision)
Avoid placing furniture pieces by windows or overlooks in your house
All doors leading outside or to the garage should be locked (consider installing a high lock or dead bolt if they learn to manipulate a regular door lock)
Place stickers or other markers on patio doors at toddler eye level
Lock all accessible windows
Use door stops to protect fingers
Use door knob covers when trying to prevent access into a room
Use child-resistant covers if you have accessible garbage cans
All guns and ammunition should be removed from the house or locked in a safe place
Don’t forget to check your backyard, garage and vehicle for safety hazards as well, including making sure the child safety door and window locks are on when driving!
Click this link to find tips about baby proofing your home.
Terri Dragatis is a wife, Mother of two, and a teacher. Her diverse interests and ability to turn everything into a lighthearted lesson, not to mention her witty quips and great sense of humor, make her an invaluable part of our team.
As a new parent, Terri remembers feeling overwhelmed and frustrated with the abundance of information and wished she had effective, simple and condensed reference guides that would support us, particularly with sleep training. She believes Calm Parent Sleep Routine and other resources will provide many parents with quick to access, useful information to support you throughout your parenting journey.
For Terri, balance involves spending quality time with her family in and outdoors, cooking, camping and goofing around, getting out with friends or for a date with her husband now and again, and fitting in as much as exercise as she can.
Sleep is so important but the optimal amount is different for each family member.
It depends on age and other factors.
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