Baby-Proofing Guide

Baby-Proofing Guide
Help keep your little one safe throughout your home with this room-by-room list of tips for baby-proofing every room.
All Living Areas

  • Cover all outlets. Keep unused outlet covers out of reach — they can become choking hazards. For power strips, use power-strip safety covers.
  • Climbing children can easily pull down heavy objects. Use special ties to fasten heavy furniture and electronics to the wall.
  • Keep cords out of reach with a cord-control kit.
  • Clear away any small objects, such as spare change, that could present choking hazards.
Kitchen

  • If possible, use baby gates to keep your child out of the kitchen entirely. Try one with a swinging door so the adults can still enter and leave easily.
  • Install child locks on drawers and cabinets. If you’re renting or don’t want to install permanent hardware, look for child locks that install with a removable adhesive.
  • Use appliance locks on all major appliances. Install a plastic shield on your stovetop to help guard against reaching fingers.
  • Always turn pot and pan handles toward the back of the stove when cooking.
  • Keep all household chemicals and cleaners out of reach. If you must keep chemicals under the kitchen sink, use a sturdy child lock on the cabinet.
  • Never leave knives or other sharp utensils on your countertops.
  • Follow your high chair’s instructions, and never leave a baby unattended.
Bathroom

  • Babies are very sensitive to hot temperatures. Set your water heater to 120°F, and use a child-friendly bathwater thermometer at bathtime.
  • Never leave your child unattended in the bathtub, shower or bathroom.
  • Use a baby bathtub with small infants. Older babies can use a safety seat. For toddlers, keep the hot faucet safe with a cushioned faucet cover.
  • Install childproof cabinet locks on your bathroom cabinets.
  • Keep toiletries out of reach. Even preschoolers can try to eat toothpaste or makeup.
Nursery

  • Always use the safety strap on your changing pad.
  • Install child-safe window coverings. Keep all appliance and window cords out of reach and well away from the crib.
  • Avoid used cribs. Make sure that your baby’s crib and crib mattress are up to date, and check for potential recalls.
  • Keep blankets, stuffed animals and extra bedding out of the crib when baby is sleeping. If the weather is chilly, try a wearable baby blanket.
Garage, Outdoors and Patio

  • Install a sturdy fence around your swimming pool. Check all gates and doors to the swimming pool regularly.
  • Consider using a surface alarm on your swimming pool or hot tub.
  • Never leave a child unattended near pools, fountains or ponds.
  • If you have an alarm system on your house, the chime function can help alert you when doors to the outdoors and garage are opened.
  • Organize your garage, and keep heavy items like bicycles and sports equipment fastened.
  • Keep all automobile, household, pest-control and yard chemicals in locked cabinets.
General Safety Tips

  • Keep all medications out of reach. Label bottles clearly, and buy medication with child-safety caps whenever possible. Remember, even young toddlers can climb — always use safety locks on medicine cabinets and drawers.
  • Keep the Poison Control phone number next to your telephone or programmed into your cell phone. Make sure that CPR instructions and emergency phone numbers are easy to locate.
  • Install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Check batteries regularly.
  • Check and restock your first-aid kit once a year.
Print Article

Important Walmart Disclaimer: All content, including but not limited to, recipe and health information provided in In Stores Now, is for educational purposes only. Such content is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the diagnosis, treatment and advice of a medical professional. Such content does not cover all possible side effects of any new or different health program. Consult your medical professional for guidance before changing or undertaking a new diet or exercise program. Advance consultation with your physician is particularly important if you are under eighteen (18) years old, pregnant, nursing, or have health problems.

If you have dietary restrictions and/or allergies, always read the ingredient list carefully for all food products prior to consumption. Allergens and their derivatives can have various names and may be present in some food brands but not others. If the ingredient list is not available on the food product, check with the food manufacturer, or do not consume the product. If you have a food allergy, speak to your physician and/or a registered dietitian for a comprehensive list of foods and their derivatives to avoid prior to using any recipe from Walmart.com. Neither the author nor Walmart.com assumes any responsibility for errors, omissions or contrary interpretation of the subject matter herein.

Product information is provided by the supplier or manufacturer of the product and should not be construed as advice. Walmart does not sponsor, recommend or endorse any third party, product, service or information provided on this site.

 

Seasonal Features