Checklist: Babyproofing, Part 1

Prep your pad room by room with our ultimate safety checklist.

The best time to get your house ready for baby is long before he or she actually arrives. Ideally, get started at least three months prior to your due date, because some preparations may take time. And don’t forget, this is just round one -- check out Babyproofing, Part 2 once he starts to crawl.

General safety

[ ] Install a UL certified carbon monoxide detector on every story of your house if you use gas or oil appliances or have an attached garage. Check the batteries of any detectors you already have.

[ ] Do the same routine with smoke detectors

[ ] Purchase a fire extinguisher, learn how to use it (and know where it is!)

[ ] Stock your medicine cabinet or first-aid kit

[ ] Post emergency numbers next to every phone

[ ] Install a temperature guard on your water heater at a maximum of 120° Fahrenheit (48° Celsius)

[ ] Get any flaking or peeling paint sealed or removed by a professional, especially if your home was built before 1978. (Dust from lead paint, which was banned from residential use in that year, can be harmful if ingested.)

Room-by-room

[ ] Put non-slip pads under all rugs

[ ] Cover all sharp furniture edges and corners with bumpers or safety padding

[ ] Block all open outlets with furniture or use safety plugs

[ ] Latch closed any drawers, doors or cupboards within baby’s reach

[ ] Cut any looped blind or curtain cords and install safety tassels and cord stops

[ ] Always unplug and store electric appliances not in use (iron, flatiron, etc)

[ ] Check house and yard for poisonous plants, and move out of baby’s reach

[ ] Always store your own and visitors’ purses out of baby’s reach

[ ] Place baby wipes and supplies within your reach from the changing table, but out of baby’s

[ ] Put a thick rug or carpet below the changing table

[ ] Position the crib away from windows, heaters, lamps, wall decoration and cords

[ ] Check all nursery furniture according to our safety suggestions

[ ] If you plan to hook a highchair to your kitchen table, be sure the table is sturdy and strong

Car

[ ] Install an approved rear-facing car seat in the middle of the back seat

[ ] If the sun is strong in your area, put hanging shades on the back windows to block the rays

-- Paula Kashtan

Jun 03, 2009

See More: 3rd Trimester , Baby Basics , Pregnancy Tools

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mind racing...spinning...too many things could go wrong...panic. ...lightheadedness

by tessa31

what if your back windows are tinted?

by KandiceOLeary

So, since I am only 17 I still live with my mom and the only place that the crib will fit is in my room right under the window. Can I tie the string things up out of her reach or will she mess with the blinds itself? What should I do! HELP!

by kottonkandy56

His lungs are getting ready to take their first breath, and, though the sex of your baby was determined long ago, genital differentiation is now becoming complete. -County Line Nissan

by CountyLineNissan

My husband is a firefighter/emt and a car seat tech and he wont allow me to put anything in the back of the car. No toys, hanging shades or even mirrors. He says its very dangerous if we get into an accident or if we're not looking the baby could get a hold of it. Best thing to do is get your windows tented, expensive? yes, but better for your baby's safety.

by SarahD20

Some of these reccomendations and tips are just overkill. I seriously doubt my 2 day old baby will have enough fortitude to reach from the middle of the back seat to the window shade, pull it off and choke on it. Or, have enough strength to pull himself up out of his crib, over to the electrical outlet, stick his finger in and electricute himself. (When he can barely lift his head.) Common sense is the best weapon against accidents. All of these things don't have to be done by the due date. Plus, it's a great task to give to Dad. Just a thought.

by GreeneyesP

I like Tessa31's response... :)

by alisbelly

Yes i was wondering why my son still wakes up three times a night still ,he is almost 9 months ,and sometimes he cries in his sleep and that wakes me up and i think he wants a bottle i go to get it and he asleep.What and how ?what should i do and dont do??????someone HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by valerie572

Do you think my in-laws will be offended if I give them this list as a condition to watching our baby? I could just see the permanently placed iron (always plugged in) in their living room falling over on baby. How do you tell them that without making them mad?

by srsuggett

**KottonKandy** I think the window strings is a strangle/choking hazard. If you can't rearrange your bedroom furniture so baby can sleep elsewhere, then tie the strings up so they won't be within reach. But ask your mom if she can help you move your bedroom furniture around. Perhaps your dresser could swap places with the crib?

by cecilyandgautam

What is the deal with the carpet under the changing table?

by hardewbr

Carpet under the changing table...I would guess to provide a soft landing if they should roll off. I would do this if the floors were hardwood, but the future baby's room is carpeted with insanely thick padding....and it seems like preventing the fall (using the straps on the table, supervision) would be better than cushioning the fall.

by angelsnight

The rug might be so you don't slip and cause a wipe out. And the next bit of advice would be don't have kids if you don't have a place to put them.

by Blondathon

To "blondathon", you don't have to be such a bitch just because your are raging with hormones things happen and i'm sure you were having sex at 17 too.

by jenmegnlee

And the next bit of advice would be don't have kids if you don't have a place to put them. signs of cancer signs of cancer in women warning signs of cancer signs of colon cancer in men signs of lung cancer in women ge spacemaker microwave ge spacemaker xl1800 Stonedine Reviews stonedine cookware Dimensions of a King Size Bed Full Size Bed Measurements King Size Bed Dimensions King Size Bed Measurements King Size Mattress Dimensions

by sherazbutts

I could never thought that even changing diapers could take so many list. For me some of the things in the list are not that very important like the changing table pad or pad covers. It is still easy and cheaper if we could just use towel and then just clean it after using it. wall stickers

by jimmy92

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by jimmy92

Thanks for sharing this information. I really like your way of expressing the opinions and sharing the information. It is good to move as chance bring new things in life, paves the way for advancement, criminal lawyer las vegas

by jimmy92

I am so glad I did not go overboard with babyproofing! I put all the no-nos in the undersink cabinet then used the totlot magnetic lock, keeping the magnetic lock high up and hidden on a cabinet side. I covered the outlets. That's pretty much it. I let my child explore the other cabinets, and he did, then the novelty wore off. That was all during the crawling-cruising stage. 10 largest hosting

by jimmy92

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Checklist: Babyproofing, Part 1

Prep your pad room by room with our ultimate safety checklist.

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