Once your baby starts moving—rolling, crawling, cruising, and eventually walking—your home transforms from a safe haven into an obstacle course of potential hazards. Items you've never thought twice about suddenly pose risks: power points beckon curious fingers, blind cords dangle at dangerous heights, and that lovely pot plant contains soil that looks surprisingly edible to a determined crawler. Baby-proofing isn't about creating a sterile, padded environment, but about managing genuine hazards while still allowing your child to explore safely.
When to Baby-Proof
The best time to baby-proof is before your baby is mobile. Most babies start rolling around four to six months and crawling between seven and ten months, though some move earlier. Complete your major baby-proofing projects well in advance—you'll be glad you did when mobility arrives seemingly overnight.
Get down on your hands and knees and view each room from your baby's perspective. You'll spot hazards you'd never notice from standing height—dangling cords, small objects under furniture, and accessible power points become immediately obvious.
Kitchen Safety
The kitchen is statistically one of the most dangerous rooms for young children, with burns, poisoning, and sharp objects posing significant risks.
Essential Kitchen Baby-Proofing
- Cupboard locks: Install locks on all low cupboards, especially those containing cleaning products, sharp objects, or small items. Magnetic locks are effective and don't alter the cupboard appearance.
- Oven lock and stove guards: Prevent oven door opening and protect against touching hot stovetops. Always turn pot handles inward.
- Fridge lock: Prevent access to potentially hazardous items and avoid the fridge becoming a climbing frame.
- Bin lock or move bin: Kitchen bins contain sharp items, plastic bags, and food waste that pose risks.
- Dishwasher awareness: Keep the dishwasher closed and locked when not loading—sharp utensils and chemicals are at baby height.
Hot drink scalds are a leading cause of burns in Australian children. Never hold hot drinks while holding your baby, and keep hot drinks away from table edges. It takes just one second for a hot drink to cause a serious burn.
Bathroom Safety
Water, slippery surfaces, and medications make the bathroom another high-risk area requiring careful attention.
- Door lock or handle cover: Prevent unsupervised bathroom access. Consider installing a high door latch.
- Medicine cabinet lock: Move medications to a high, locked cabinet. Even childproof packaging isn't childproof enough for determined toddlers.
- Toilet lid lock: Prevent drowning risk and keep hands (and toys) out of the toilet.
- Non-slip bath mat: Reduce slipping during bath time and when baby starts standing in the bath.
- Hot water temperature: Set your hot water system to deliver water at maximum 50°C to prevent scalding. This is a legal requirement for new installations in Australia.
- Bath thermometer: Check water temperature before putting baby in.
Living Areas
Living rooms and family areas present their own hazards, often overlooked because we spend so much time there.
Furniture and Layout
- Anchor furniture: Secure bookcases, drawers, and televisions to the wall. Furniture tip-overs are a serious hazard as babies climb.
- Corner protectors: Cover sharp edges on coffee tables, entertainment units, and fireplace hearths.
- Remove or secure unstable furniture: That beautiful but wobbly side table needs to go or be secured.
- Television security: Flat screens should be wall-mounted or secured to furniture. Never place heavy items on top of furniture that children might climb.
Electrical Safety
- Power point covers: Cover unused outlets. The simple plug-in covers are better than nothing, but sliding covers are more effective and can't become choking hazards.
- Cord management: Secure or hide all electrical cords. Phone chargers left at baby level are particularly tempting.
- Extension leads: Avoid floor-level extension leads where possible, or use cord covers.
- Pool fencing is legally required in most states—check your local council requirements
- Verify window safety in multi-storey homes (window locks and guards)
- Check for blind cord hazards—loop cords must be secured or replaced with cordless options
- Be aware of native wildlife access—ensure pet doors don't allow snake entry in relevant areas
Bedroom Safety
Your baby's bedroom should be a safe sleep environment, but as they grow and become mobile, additional considerations apply.
- Cot safety: Ensure the cot meets current Australian standards. The mattress should fit snugly with no gaps, and the cot should be free of soft bedding, pillows, and toys during sleep.
- Dresser anchoring: Nursery dressers and change tables must be secured to the wall.
- Blind cord safety: Cords pose strangulation risk. Ideally, replace corded blinds with cordless options, or ensure cords are permanently secured out of reach using cleats.
- Window locks: Windows should open no more than 10cm, especially in multi-storey homes.
Outdoor Areas
Australian outdoor living presents unique considerations, from pool safety to garden hazards.
Pool and Water Safety
If you have a pool, spa, or pond, water safety is paramount. Drowning is a leading cause of death in Australian children under five. Pool fencing that meets Australian standards is legally required, but supervision remains the most important safety measure.
- Pool gates must be self-closing and self-latching, opening outward from the pool
- Remove climbable objects from near the fence
- Doors leading directly to pool areas must have additional security
- Empty paddling pools after each use
- Never leave buckets of water accessible
Garden Safety
- Check for poisonous plants: Many common Australian garden plants are toxic if ingested. Research plants in your garden and remove or fence off hazards.
- Secure garden sheds and garages: These often contain chemicals, tools, and other hazards.
- Gate locks: Ensure gates to driveways and streets have secure, high latches.
- Pet areas: Keep pet food, water bowls, and litter trays inaccessible to crawling babies.
Stairways
Stairs are a significant falling hazard for young children. Install safety gates at both the top and bottom of stairs. Gates at the top should be hardware-mounted (screwed into the wall) rather than pressure-mounted, as they provide superior security. The gap between balusters should be no more than 10cm.
General Safety Measures
Choking Hazards
Small objects are a constant risk once babies start grabbing and mouthing everything. The general rule is that anything that fits through a toilet paper roll is a choking hazard for under-threes. Regularly scan floors for small objects, especially if you have older children with small toys.
Smoke Alarms
Ensure smoke alarms are installed on every level of your home and tested regularly. In most Australian states, smoke alarms are required in all bedrooms and hallways. Consider interconnected alarms so all alarms sound when one detects smoke.
Products vs. Supervision
While safety products are valuable, they're not a substitute for supervision. No gate or lock is completely child-proof against a determined, creative child. Use safety products to reduce risk and buy yourself reaction time, but remain vigilant. As your child grows, gradually teach them about safety rather than relying solely on barriers.
Baby-proofing is an ongoing process that evolves with your child's development. What works for a crawler needs updating when they can climb and reach higher. Regular reassessment of your home's safety measures ensures protection keeps pace with your child's growing capabilities.
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