When you’re expecting a baby, it’s natural to worry about making your home safe. The phrase “baby proofing” often brings to mind cupboard locks, stair gates, and endless safety gadgets. But here’s the good news: you don’t need to do everything at once.
In fact, the best way to baby proof your home is to match safety steps to your child’s development. Newborns don’t move far on their own, so you can take your time. By knowing what to prepare, and when, you’ll stay one step ahead without the stress of buying everything before it’s needed.
Before Baby Arrives: Safe Sleep and Feeding Spaces
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Safe sleep set-up: Cot, crib, or Moses basket with a firm, flat mattress and fitted sheet. Keep the sleep space clear of pillows, bumpers, toys, and blankets.
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Feeding and changing: Have a stable, clean area for feeding and changing nappies. Keep nappy creams and wipes out of reach of siblings or pets.
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Car seat: Install it before the birth so you’re confident it’s fitted correctly.
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Anchor big furniture and wall items: Bookcases, wardrobes, tall drawers, mirrors, and wall art can all pose a tipping or falling risk. Securing them to the wall before your baby arrives avoids the noise, dust, and disruption of doing it later, and means your home is already safer when your little one starts moving.
0–3 Months: Parent Safety, Not Baby Safety
At this stage, your baby isn’t rolling or crawling, so there’s no need for cupboard locks yet. The main risks are slips, trips, and tired-parent accidents:
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Tidy cords and wires so you don’t trip while carrying your baby.
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Keep hot drinks well out of reach when feeding.
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Set up safe storage for medicines, cleaning products, and sharp objects, even though baby can’t reach them yet, it’s good to get in the habit.
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Pet preparation: If you have pets, start teaching them boundaries (e.g. keeping out of the baby’s sleep space).
3–6 Months: Rolling and Reaching
This is when baby starts moving more. Suddenly, they can roll onto the floor or grab something you didn’t think they could reach.
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Never leave baby unattended on a bed, sofa, or changing table. Use a changing mat on the floor when possible.
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Check for small objects (coins, beads, batteries) that could be choking hazards, babies love to grab and mouth things.
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Start thinking about plug socket covers if your baby shows interest, although in the UK most sockets are already child-safe by design.
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Secure cords and blind strings to avoid strangulation hazards.
6–9 Months: Crawling Explorers
This is when baby proofing really begins in earnest. Once babies are mobile, they want to explore everywhere.
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Install stair gates at the top and bottom of stairs.
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Cupboard and drawer locks for cleaning products, knives, and medicines.
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Corner guards for sharp table edges when babies start pulling themselves up.
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Anchor furniture like bookcases and TVs to the wall to prevent tipping (if you didn’t do it before).
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Cover radiators or ensure they’re not dangerously hot.
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Baby-proof bins, babies love exploring them!
9–12 Months: Pulling Up and Cruising
At this stage, babies are often standing and moving along furniture. Their reach suddenly extends higher than you think.
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Move breakables higher up (vases, photo frames, ornaments).
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Keep hot food and drinks well back from table edges.
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Check kitchen safety: oven locks, hob guards, and always use the back rings when cooking.
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Bathroom safety: install toilet locks and always keep cleaning products locked away.
12+ Months: Walking Toddlers
Toddlers combine curiosity with surprising speed. Baby proofing now becomes about maintaining boundaries.
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Secure outdoor areas: gates for gardens, covers for ponds, and check fences for gaps.
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Door stoppers or finger guards to prevent trapped fingers.
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Teach safety rules early — like “hot,” “sharp,” and “stop.”
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Keep choking hazards away: nuts, small toys, and coins.
Room-by-Room Checklist
Living Room
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Anchor TVs and heavy furniture.
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Cover sharp corners.
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Remove floor lamps or unstable décor.
Kitchen
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Lock cleaning supplies.
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Use hob guards.
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Store knives and breakables high up.
Bathroom
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Non-slip bath mat.
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Lock cabinets.
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Toilet lock.
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Always supervise in the bath.
Bedroom/Nursery
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Cot with no bumpers or pillows.
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Keep cords away from cot.
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Anchor changing table if freestanding.
Common Questions
When should I start baby proofing?
Begin with safe sleep and medicine storage before baby arrives. Most proofing (like gates and locks) can wait until around 6 months.
Do I need to buy every gadget?
No. Many baby proofing products are optional. Focus on your home’s specific risks and your baby’s stage of development.
How do I know if something is unsafe?
Get on the floor and see your home from your baby’s perspective. Anything sharp, breakable, or small enough to fit in their mouth could be a hazard.
What about pets?
Introduce pets slowly to the new routines and supervise interactions. Baby gates can be useful to create boundaries.
Baby proofing doesn’t have to be overwhelming or expensive. The key is timing. Matching safety measures to your child’s development. Start with safe sleep, then focus on rolling, crawling, cruising, and walking as each stage arrives.
Remember, no home can be 100% risk-free. The goal isn’t to eliminate every bump or tumble but to reduce serious risks so your baby can explore safely. By planning ahead and making gradual adjustments, you’ll keep your baby safe while giving them the freedom to grow, learn, and discover.