SAFE SPACES FOR LITTLE EXPLORERS: Childproofing for Kids Five and Under

Young children are naturally curious, which is a normal and healthy part of their physical, mental, and social development. As they grow as little explorers, even everyday household items can become a potential danger. 

No matter where you live, childproofing your home is important to keep your little one safe. Here are some practical tips and actionable recommendations for creating a safer home for children ages five and under.

1) Secure furniture and heavy items.

Children love to climb and run, and furniture that is not secured to a sturdy structure can tip over on them, while sharp furniture corners can also cause serious injuries. To help prevent accidents:

• Anchor bookshelves, dressers, and TVs to the wall using anti-tip straps.

• Keep heavy items on lower shelves to reduce the risk of toppling.

• Ensure that furniture with sharp edges, such as coffee tables, have soft corner protectors.

• Avoid placing toys or remote controls on high furniture where a child would be tempted to climb up to reach them.

2) Look for electric shock risks.

Electrical outlets and cords can be tempting for little hands and fingers to explore. To lower the risk of electrical injuries:

• Use outlet covers to block access to open electrical sockets.

• Keep cords out of reach of children, and secure them using cord organizers.

• Unplug appliances when they’re not in use, and store them out of children’s reach.

• Avoid running extension cords across areas where children are playing to avoid accidental trips or strangulation.

3) Keep the kitchen safe.

While typically one of the family’s favorite rooms to gather in, kitchens are full of potential hazards — sharp objects, hot surfaces, and various chemicals. Make your kitchen safer by:

• Using stove knob covers to prevent kids from turning on hot burners.

• Keeping pot and pan handles turned inward (away from the edge of the stove) to avoid accidental spills.

• Locking up cleaning supplies and detergents in childproof cabinets.

• Storing knives, scissors, and other sharp objects in high, locked drawers.

• Keeping plastic bags out of reach to prevent suffocation risks.

4) Consider how everyday household items can be dangerous.

Not only do young kids love to explore, they also have amazing imaginations! While adorable, these skills can also make some everyday household items potential health and safety hazards. Consider these precautions:

• Store medications, vitamins, and cosmetics in locked cabinets.

• Keep small objects, like coins, batteries, and marbles (anything smaller than a child’s fist) off tables, counters, and floors to prevent choking hazards.

• Use door stoppers for heavy doors to prevent fingers from getting shut in them.

• Avoid using tablecloths/covers that can be pulled down by small hands.

5) Pets are family, too — keep the kids and pets safe!

We love our pets like family, but they also require careful supervision when around children. To keep your pet’s and child’s interactions safe:

• Never leave young children unsupervised with pets. Pets and children can easily cause injury to one another, whether intentional or not.

• Teach children how to have gentle interactions with animals.

• Provide your pets with their own space to go if they feel uncomfortable or overwhelmed by children.

• Keep pet food and water bowls in a place where young children cannot reach them. Some pet foods can be choking hazards.

6) Secure stairs, balconies, and window screens.

Believe it or not, falls are a leading cause of injury in young children, and there are plenty of places for accidental falls in most homes. To lower the risk of falls:

• Install safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs. Remember the bottom gate – a child who can climb up can also fall down.

• Ensure that stairways with vertical railings do not have wide gaps where a child could get their head or other body parts stuck.

• Keep toys and other items off of stairways to prevent tripping and falling.

• If your home has a balcony or raised deck, never leave a child on it alone and ensure that the railing is secure, furniture is not placed where a child can climb over it, and that vertical railings are not wide enough for a child to get stuck or slip through.

• Do not leave upstairs windows open or install window guards or stops. (See also #9)

7) Prevent bathroom dangers — water hazards, dangerous chemicals, and fall risks.

The bathroom contains a lot of potential dangers, from drowning risks to poisonous chemicals. Protect your young child by:

• Using a toilet lock to prevent drowning risks (and general water play – yuck!)

• Keeping the water heater temperature set at no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent accidental burns.

• Installing non-slip mats in the bathtub and rugs outside the bathtub to prevent slipping and falling.

• Storing toiletries, like razors, medicine, and toothpaste out of reach and in locked cabinets.

• Always stay next to your young child during bath time. Drowning can happen silently and within a matter of seconds.

8) Avoid fire hazards and the silent, but deadly, carbon monoxide poisoning.

Fires can happen and spread fast, and carbon monoxide is invisible and odorless…and extremely dangerous if undetected in a home. Take some steps to protect your family:

• Install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors as instructed and test them regularly.

• Keep matches and lighters out of reach in a childproof area so children can’t reach them.

• Teach children about fire safety, and create a family fire escape plan — be sure to review it often with your kids.

• If you use space heaters, make sure they are placed in a safe location away from children's play areas.

9) Know the ways to keep windows and blinds safe.

Windows cause tragic childhood accidents every year. Cords on window blinds can also be extremely dangerous. To prevent accidents:

• Install window guards or stops to prevent falls.

• Keep furniture away from windows to reduce climbing and falling risks.

• Use cordless blinds or tie up blind cords to be out of reach from children to prevent strangulation hazards.

10) Create a space specifically as a safe play area for your child.

Find and design a specific play area for your children that allows exploration with much less danger. While you still need to be present to keep an eye on your little ones, there are ways to create a safer area:

• Use soft flooring, like rugs or foam mats, to cushion any falls.

• Keep toys organized in low bins to prevent tripping and shelf tipping.

• Check toys often for small parts that may have broken and could be a choking hazard.

• Make sure all play items are appropriate for your child’s age and free of sharp edges or small pieces.

The best play is safe play!

Every home is unique, and keeping areas safe for little explorers is important. Make adjustments as you can and regularly check on safety risks as your child grows and becomes curious about new things. Taking these simple precautions can create a safer environment for your child to play, learn, and explore with success!