One minute, your baby is a snuggly little potato. The next? They’re rolling, crawling, climbing, and somehow heading straight for the sharpest, most dangerous thing in the room.
Welcome to the Great Baby Escape Era—a time when childproofing becomes your new best friend.
But when should you start? What do you really need to lock up, block off, and bubble-wrap? Let’s break it down in the least overwhelming way possible.
📅 So… When Should You Start Childproofing?
Start before your baby starts moving. (Yes, before.)
Most babies roll between 4–6 months, and crawling can sneak up on you around 6–8 months. That means you want your home baby-safe by the time they’re mobile—and fast.
💡 Pro tip: Begin childproofing around the 4-month mark, even if baby isn’t mobile yet. That way, you’re not scrambling once they zoom across the room like a chubby ninja.
🧷 What to Childproof? (A Room-by-Room Survival Guide)
Here’s where things get real. Let’s take it room by room:
🛏️ The Nursery
Where sweet dreams happen—but also so many climbable surfaces.
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Bolt heavy furniture to the wall (seriously—bookshelves will be climbed).
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Keep cords from blinds and curtains out of reach (or better yet, cordless).
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Use outlet covers to block tempting holes.
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Keep the crib simple: no excess of toys piling up inside
🛋️ The Living Room
AKA: your baby’s new obstacle course.
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Pad sharp table corners (especially coffee tables).
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Mount the TV or anchor it so it can’t tip.
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Tuck away electrical cords or cover them with cord guards.
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Use baby gates to block off stairs and “off-limits” rooms.
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Beware of small decorative items—if it can fit in their mouth, it’s fair game.
🍽️ The Kitchen
So many shiny, stabby, spill-y things!
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Lock cabinets with cleaning supplies, knives, and anything poisonous if possible. But definitely use out-of-range cabinets!
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Stove knob covers = smart. Burned hands = not so much.
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Keep hot drinks, pots, and cords out of grabbing range.
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Don’t hang towels or appliance cords off counters—babies will pull.
🚽 The Bathroom
Small room, big danger zone.
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Use a toilet lock (yes, babies love the toilet. We don’t get it either).
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Put away meds, makeup, razors, and cleaning supplies where they can't reach, behind closed doors.
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Put non-slip mats in the tub and cover the faucet with a soft guard.
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Never ever leave baby alone in the tub—not even for one second.
🏡 Whole House Tips
A few extra safety sprinkles for the entire home:
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Plug up every outlet within crawling reach.
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Use door pinch guards to protect little fingers from slamming doors.
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Keep small objects (coins, batteries, Lego, etc.) out of reach and off the floor.
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Store laundry pods, alcohol, vitamins, and other hazards high up or behind locks.
💡 Quick Tips to Make It Easier
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👀 Get on the floor. Literally. Crawl around your house to see what baby sees—it’s eye-opening and mildly hilarious.
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🔄 Update as they grow. Just when you think you’ve babyproofed everything, they learn a new trick. Stay one step ahead!
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🧠 Supervision still matters. Childproofing helps, but your eyes and instincts are the real safety MVPs.
❤️ Final Thought: Childproofing = Chaos Contained
Childproofing doesn’t mean turning your home into a padded cell. It just means making space for your baby to explore safely while keeping your nerves (mostly) intact.
Start early, take it step by step, and remember: every cabinet lock and corner cushion is a little love letter to your growing explorer.
