Q&A: Babyproofing for Crawling Baby?

Welcome to a whole new world of potential dangers and disasters. Once baby starts to crawl, generally around eight or nine months, safety takes on a new meaning. Start getting your home ready as soon as baby can sit up and pivot on her tummy. Remember, this guide is just a starter. Get down on all fours and crawl around your house to get a baby’s-eye view of the many dangerous temptations that lurk. Keep in mind that anything that fits through a toilet paper tube is a potential choking hazard, and dangerous items can easily get hidden in deep carpets, corners and under cabinets. Regular sweeps should be a priority. Also, check all the safety preparations you made before baby came home, remembering that her height and reach are now significantly greater.

Throughout the house

[ ] Move all dangerous items (cleaners, knives, heavy objects, medications, etc.) to cupboards and drawers out of baby’s reach

[ ] Latch closed any cupboards, doors and drawers within baby’s reach to avoid pinched fingers or unaccompanied explorations; purchase baby-safe doorstops for every door to prevent accidental closings

[ ] Put lockable covers on garbage cans, or place in latched cupboards

[ ] Move all electric cords behind furniture or under rugs

[ ] Secure heavy furniture such as bookcases and cabinets to walls to prevent accidental tipping

[ ] Put televisions and other heavy items on sturdy furniture, and move as close to the wall or corner as possible

[ ] Move all tall, wobbly lamps behind furniture

[ ] Put baby gates or fences at the top and bottom of every set of stairs, no matter how short the flight

[ ] Block access to all floor heaters and radiators

[ ] Use garden fences or plexiglass to block any space of more than four inches between stair or balcony rails

[ ] Put colorful stickers on sliding doors and any other large panes of glass

[ ] Install window guards and stops, and put safety bars or netting on all windows, landings and decks

[ ] Place food and water for pets out of baby’s reach

[ ] Put a lock on VCR (or, finally toss it!)

[ ] Install fireplace screens around all hearths (but remember — screens get hot, too)

[ ] Place logs, matches, tools and keys out of baby’s reach

[ ] Never leave any amount of water in an open container or bucket

Bathroom

[ ] Make sure all medications have childproof tops and that your medicine cabinet has a secure latch

[ ] Place soft covers on the bath spout and knobs

[ ] Put non-slip mats in and beside the bathtub

[ ] Purchase a bathtub ring for baby to sit in (and never, ever leave baby alone in the tub, not even for a moment!)

[ ] Install safety locks on toilets

Garage

[ ] Put all tools and toxic substances in locked storage

[ ] Make sure you have a functioning garage door safety sensor

Nursery

[ ] Once baby can get up on hands and knees, remove mobiles and anything else hanging above crib

[ ] Move crib away from anything that could be used for climbing

Kitchen

[ ] Install covers for stove and oven knobs, an appliance latch for the oven door, and a stove guard to block access to burners

[ ] Install safety latches on refrigerator and freezer doors

[ ] Get in the habit of cooking on the back burners, turning pot handles toward the wall, and placing hot food and drinks away from the edges of tablesand counters

[ ] Forgo placemats and tablecloths — if baby yanks, everything on top will go crashing

Backyard

[ ] Make sure backyard gates latch securely

[ ] Empty wading pools and store upright after every use

[ ] If you have a pool, surround it by a locked fence at least four feet tall

[ ] After it rains or snows, check for any collections of water and drain completely

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.