Childproofing is best done in phases as your child grows more mobile, with regular re-checks as new skills and hazards emerge. This checklist reflects standard, well-established guidance from CPSC, CDC, AAP/HealthyChildren.org, and Safe Kids Worldwide.

29 items · 11 essential reviewed 17 Jul 2026 4 sources .md .json

Phase 1: Whole-House Hazard Sweep (before baby is mobile)

Anchor all tall/heavy furniture and TVs to the wallTip-overs are a leading cause of child death/injury; use anti-tip straps or brackets on dressers, bookcases, and stands.
Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on every levelTest monthly and replace batteries yearly.
Store firearms unloaded, locked, and separate from ammunition if firearms in home
Program Poison Control number into every phone1-800-222-1222 (US), for use in a suspected poisoning emergency.
Lower water heater temperature to 120°F (49°C)Prevents scald burns from tap water.
Move all medications, vitamins, and supplements to a high, locked cabinetNever store in a purse, nightstand, or unlocked cabinet within reach.
Relocate cleaning products, detergent pods, and chemicals out of reachOriginal bright colors/packaging make pods attractive to toddlers; poisoning risk is severe.
Remove or secure corded window blindsInstall cordless blinds or cord shorteners/cleats; looped cords are a strangulation hazard.
Check crib, playpen, and any secondhand baby gear against current recall listsVerify on cpsc.gov before use.

Phase 2: Room-by-Room Barriers (once baby starts crawling)

Install safety gates at top and bottom of every stairwayUse hardware-mounted gates at stair tops, never pressure-mounted ones at the top of stairs.
Cover all unused electrical outletsUse sliding-plate covers rather than small plug caps, which are a choking hazard if removed.
Install cabinet and drawer latches on anything holding sharp, breakable, or toxic items
Secure toilet lids with locks if child under 2Reduces drowning risk for children under 2.
Add corner/edge guards to sharp furniture edges and hearths
Move houseplants out of reach if toxic houseplantsCheck whether any are toxic if chewed.
Store plastic bags, balloons, and small button batteries out of reachButton batteries cause severe internal burns within hours if swallowed; treat as a medical emergency.
Set up a barrier or fencing around pools, hot tubs, and fish pondsSelf-latching gate at least 4 feet high, fully enclosing the water on all sides; drowning is fast and silent.
Remove tablecloths and loose cords that a child could pullItems on top can fall.

Phase 3: Kitchen and Bathroom Specifics

Turn pot handles inward and use back burners when cooking
Lock the oven door and stove knob covers if toddler in kitchenEspecially with a curious toddler in the kitchen.
Store knives, matches, and lighters in a locked high drawer
Keep a fire extinguisher accessible and know how to use it
Store all medicines in child-resistant, locked containers even if labeled child-proof"Child-resistant" only slows access, it doesn't prevent it.
Empty bath water immediately after useNever leave a child unattended in or near any standing water, even briefly.

Phase 4: Ongoing Maintenance

Re-walk the home at each new mobility milestone (rolling, crawling, walking, climbing)Hazards change as reach and skill grow.
Recheck all safety devices monthly for wear, loose screws, or bypassed latches
Sign up for CPSC recall alerts for cribs, furniture, and toys
Teach older children in the home to keep small toys, medications, and choking hazards out of a younger sibling's reach
Review and update emergency contacts, including poison control and pediatrician, posted somewhere visible

Tell us what’s going on — everyday words are perfect

Built only from the steps above — nothing new gets invented.

Sources & upkeep

cpsc.gov
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
cdc.gov
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
healthychildren.org
- American Academy of Pediatrics / HealthyChildren.org
safekids.org
- Safe Kids Worldwide

All 4 sources are re-checked weekly. When one changes a fact this checklist asserts, the step is edited and the change is logged — the revision history is public.

Different situation? — it only selects from the steps above; nothing new is written.

Essential isn’t a shorter checklist — it’s the same one with the optional steps tucked away. Everything’s still a click away, and the essential marks stay put in anything you make from this, right down to the .json.

A helpful starting point, not professional advice — here’s why.