RoomMend
How to use this babyproofing checklist
Pick the stage your baby is at, then tap a room on the floor plan. Each room shows what to do now, and greys out the next steps with a "Coming up next" tag so you can get ahead before your baby starts crawling or climbing. Tick items as you go. The room fills in orange, and your progress is saved in this browser so you can come back later.
"Copy shopping list" gathers every safety device you still need for your stage, ready to paste into a note or a shopping app.
When to start babyproofing
Start the "not moving yet" list before your baby comes home. Sleep safety, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and the water heater temperature matter from day one. Do the crawling list a few weeks before your baby starts to roll and scoot, which is often around 6 months. The walking and climbing list is next, often around 9 to 12 months. Every child is different, and many surprise their parents, so it pays to be early.
The checks people most often miss
- Anchoring furniture. Dressers, bookcases and TVs can tip when a child climbs or pulls on them. The CPSC runs a whole campaign, Anchor It, on this.
- The top-of-stairs gate. Pressure-mounted gates can push out. At the top of stairs, use only a gate that screws into the wall.
- Window cords. Corded blinds near a crib are a strangulation risk. Cordless coverings remove it.
- Free-standing stoves. They need an anti-tip bracket. A child standing on an open oven door can pull a range over.
- Button batteries. They are in remotes, key fobs, scales and toys. Keep battery doors screwed shut.
Babyproofing is not a one-time job
Children change fast, and so do the hazards. Walk the house at your child's eye level every few months, and again whenever they learn a new skill, like pulling up, climbing or opening doors. Safety devices help, but the CPSC is clear that they support supervision rather than replace it.
