Baby Safety Checklist – Protect Your Baby

Bringing home a newborn is a joyful milestone—but it also requires preparation. Baby-proofing your home is essential to ensure that your child’s environment is safe, secure, and hazard-free. Every room in the house presents unique safety challenges. Use this comprehensive checklist to protect your baby from potential dangers.

General Baby Safety Tips for Every Room

• Use child-resistant outlet covers.
• Install safety gates at staircases (top and bottom).
• Avoid baby walkers; opt for stationary activity centers.
• Store cleaning supplies and chemicals out of reach.
• Shorten all curtain and blind cords to avoid strangulation risks.
• Install working smoke detectors near bedrooms and change batteries annually.
• Keep small items (balloons, coins, buttons) away from infants.
• Use soft corner bumpers on sharp-edged furniture.
• Identify all houseplants in case of accidental ingestion.
• Ensure proper ventilation for heaters and fireplaces.
• Place protective screens around heaters and fireplaces.
• Store firearms and ammunition securely and separately.
• Secure heavy furniture to the wall to prevent tipping.
• If your home was built before 1978, test for lead paint and asbestos professionally.

Baby Room and Nursery Safety

• Use cribs that meet current safety standards with no loose hardware.
• Ensure the mattress fits snugly with tightly-fitted crib sheets.
• Keep stuffed toys and heavy blankets out of the crib.
• Never leave your baby unattended on changing tables.
• Remove hanging toys or mobiles once your baby can sit or pull up.
• Always place infants under one year old on their backs to sleep on a firm, flat surface with no soft bedding.
• Keep night-lights at least three feet away from fabric and bedding to prevent fire hazards.
• Choose age-appropriate toys with no choking hazards.
• Use door stops and window guards to prevent accidents.

Bathroom Safety for Babies

• Install locks on medicine cabinets.
• Set your water heater to 120°F (49°C) to avoid burns.
• Always check water temperature before bathing your child.
• Never leave your child unattended in the tub or near water.
• Secure toilet lids with child locks.
• Use non-slip mats in bathtubs and showers.
• Install GFCI (ground-fault circuit interrupter) outlets in all bathrooms.

Kitchen Safety Tips

• Keep sharp tools, plastic bags, and cleaning supplies out of reach.
• Install knob covers if stove controls are within reach of children.
• Always use all safety straps when placing your baby in a high chair.
• Fix or replace frayed cords and appliance wires.
• Keep furniture away from countertops and stove areas.
• Move cleaning agents to higher cabinets or use childproof locks.

Yard & Outdoor Safety

• Lock away tools, chemicals, and lawn equipment.
• Avoid using lawnmowers while children are playing nearby.
• Keep children off treated lawns for at least 48 hours after pesticide or fertilizer application.
• Familiarize yourself with plants and trees in case of accidental ingestion.
• If you have a swimming pool, install a separate, childproof fence around it with a locking gate.

Every home is different, and so are each baby’s behaviors. Always monitor, reassess, and update safety measures as your child grows and becomes more mobile.

Written by: Sharanya