When Is the Best Time to Babyproof My House, and How Do I Do It?

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If you’re looking for the ideal time to babyproof your house, rest assured that this important task doesn’t have to be completed before your baby arrives. But though you don’t have to do everything at once, it might be worth buying and installing some babyproofing supplies when the nesting instinct kicks in a few months before you meet your baby.

You can predict and arrange your schedule more easily at that time than in the newborn phase, so we’d recommend at least planning your babyproofing priorities a little ahead of your baby’s due date.

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How to babyproof: Break it down

These divisions are just rough estimates. If you have a particularly curious crawler, you may want to prioritize some of the items in the section for young toddlers, for instance.

For newborns

For crawling infants

  • Secure heavy furniture and appliances with wall anchors and safety straps. Floor lamps, large decorative vases, and similar items that could tip over should be moved to other rooms.
  • Unplug and stash small appliances when they’re not in use. It’s all too easy for a crawling kid to grab the cord of an iron or hair dryer and pull it down to the floor.
  • Fasten long cords to walls or in an out-of-reach place.
  • Store medicine in a cabinet well out of your child’s grasp. Lock it as an extra precaution.
  • Use childproof outlet covers or cover all electrical outlets with heavy pieces of furniture.
  • Take safety precautions at bath time by installing non-slip mats in the bathtub and a soft cover on the faucet.
  • Position safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs, as well as in doorways to rooms you don’t want your baby to enter alone.

For walking babies and young toddlers

  • Consider child-safe window screens or window guards to prevent your child from falling out of open windows. 
  • Think about what’s stored in kitchen/bathroom drawers and add safety latches to keep your child from accessing hair products, razors, kitchen utensils, etc.
  • Attach lid locks to your toilets; this will keep your wandering toddler from getting into the toilet water or having their fingers hurt by a falling lid.
  • Keep any hazardous chemicals and small appliances away from your child, either by storing them on a high shelf or using safety latches on cabinet doors.

Adapting strategies as your child grows

Baby proofing will eventually become child proofing, and as your child grows up, the process of making your home a safe place for them continues.

To prepare for a taller, smarter, and more curious child, think about adding child-safe doorknob covers and table edge covers, keeping your countertops clear, and designating certain drawers or shelves for items they can play with safely.

Parents in the midst of baby proofing may be particularly interested in our guides for baby monitorsbaby proofing locks, and baby gates.


Compare the best baby safety products

Product
Best for
Price
Specs
Standout feature
Learn more
Read review
Best car seat Converts to 4 seats for ages 0–10Performs well in crash tests
Best baby crib GREENGUARD Gold Certified Four adjustable mattress positions
Best baby monitorUnlimited rangeHigh-quality night vision + two-way talk
Best baby-proofing locks3M strong adhesiveUse on cabinets, refrigerators, and toilets
Best nanny cam Automatic person/pet trackingTwo-way talk + excellent night vision
Best baby gate30 in. tall; fits doorways 29-34 and 35-38.5 in. wideOpen with one hand
Best baby carrierFor babies 7–45 lbs 6 ways to carry your baby

*Amazon.com price as of post date. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Safewise.com utilizes paid Amazon links.

Celeste Tholen
Written by
Celeste Tholen
Celeste has dedicated her decade-long career to reporting and reviews that help people make well-informed decisions. She oversees editorial strategy and production for SafeWise, with a goal to help everyone find the information they need to make their homes and lives safer. Prior to SafeWise, she worked as an editor and reporter for KSL and Deseret News. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Journalism. In her free time, she volunteers at the local botanical garden and writers for the community newspaper.

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