🛡️ Child safety · 6–24 months
🧸 Babyproofing the house (when baby goes mobile)
Prepare before your baby starts rolling, scooting or crawling—mobility does not follow one timetable. Get down to their level and make the spaces they use safer, including relatives' homes if they spend time there.
Gear to get ready
- Secure socket protection compatible with your outlets, without loose removable pieces.
- Reliable cabinet locks and furniture anchors.
- Stair gates suitable for their installation location.
What to do
1. Do a floor-level sweep
Remove coins, small toys, magnets, batteries and sharp objects. Keep blind cords, charging cables and appliance cords out of reach.
2. Lock away hazards
Store medicines, cleaning products and pesticides in their original containers in locked storage. Secure battery compartments and keep spare and used button batteries inaccessible.
3. Secure stairs and furniture
Use properly installed gates at stair access points; the top gate must be hardware-mounted and approved for that use. Anchor televisions and furniture, and secure access to windows and balconies.
4. Control heat and electricity
Keep hot drinks, kettles, irons and cooking areas beyond reach. Protect sockets appropriately and keep electrical equipment away from water. Add firmly attached corner guards where useful.
5. Check water and supervision
Empty buckets, basins and baths after use and block access to water storage. Stay within arm's reach during bathing. Agree clearly which adult is watching; locks and gates do not replace supervision.
Classic mistakes
- ❌ Assuming a lock stays secure Test locks, gates and anchors regularly. Replace damaged parts and reassess as your child learns to climb.
- ❌ Waiting for symptoms after battery ingestion Suspected button-battery swallowing needs immediate emergency assessment. For choking with breathing difficulty, call 911; professional infant first-aid training helps caregivers prepare.
A local detail, or your own experience with this guide? Write to the team
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When in doubt, contact your doctor or midwife. For a life-threatening emergency, call 911.