Newborn Safety Checklist: How to Baby-Proof Your Home

Bringing a newborn home is one of the most exciting—and sometimes nerve-wracking—experiences for new parents. Suddenly, everything in your house seems like a potential danger, and baby-proofing your home becomes a top priority. While newborns spend most of their time sleeping and being carried, it’s important to start thinking about safety early on. A few simple adjustments now will keep your home safe as your baby grows and starts to explore.

In this article, I’ll walk you through an expert-approved, step-by-step checklist for baby-proofing your home. Based on personal experience and professional insights, I’ll cover the key areas you’ll want to focus on to make your home as safe as possible for your little one.

1. Set Up a Safe Sleep Environment

The first and most important area to baby-proof is your newborn’s sleep space. Safe sleep is crucial for reducing the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), and there are a few essential guidelines to follow.

Key Tips for Safe Sleep:

Use a firm mattress: Place your baby on a firm, flat mattress inside a crib or bassinet. Soft bedding, blankets, and pillows can pose a suffocation risk.
No loose bedding: Avoid using loose blankets or crib bumpers. Instead, dress your baby in a sleep sack or wearable blanket.
Back is best: Always place your baby on their back to sleep. This has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of SIDS.
Keep the crib bare: Besides a fitted sheet, the crib should be free of toys, stuffed animals, or other objects.

Personally, we used a bassinet next to our bed for the first few months. It gave me peace of mind knowing my baby was close by, and it followed the safe sleep guidelines with a firm mattress and no loose items.

2. Install Baby Gates Early

Even though your newborn won’t be moving around on their own just yet, it’s a good idea to install baby gates in key areas before they start crawling. Once your baby becomes mobile, they’ll be curious to explore, and gates can prevent them from accessing dangerous areas like stairs or rooms with sharp objects.

Where to Install Baby Gates:

At the top and bottom of stairs: Stairs are one of the most dangerous areas for mobile babies, so installing gates at both ends is essential.
To block off hazardous rooms: Use baby gates to keep your baby out of areas like the kitchen, laundry room, or bathroom, where cleaning supplies and appliances can pose risks.
To create safe play zones: Consider using gates to section off a safe area in the living room where your baby can play freely.

When my little one started crawling, we used baby gates to create a “safe zone” in our living room. It was a lifesaver because it allowed me to focus on other things while knowing my baby was safe within sight.

3. Secure Furniture and TVs

As your baby grows and starts pulling themselves up, furniture and large objects can become hazards. Babies love to pull, grab, and climb, which makes it essential to secure heavy furniture and appliances that could tip over.

How to Secure Furniture:

Anchor bookshelves and dressers: Use wall anchors to secure bookshelves, dressers, and other tall furniture to the wall. This prevents them from tipping over if your baby tries to climb them.
Mount your TV: If you have a flat-screen TV, consider mounting it securely to the wall or using anti-tip straps to prevent it from falling.
Use corner guards: Place corner guards on sharp edges of tables, countertops, and other furniture to protect your baby from bumps and bruises.

I remember the day my baby first pulled themselves up on the edge of our coffee table. We quickly realized that securing furniture and using corner guards was a must!

4. Electrical Outlet Covers and Cords

Electrical outlets and cords are a significant hazard for babies. They’re low to the ground and easy for curious little hands to grab, which can lead to serious injuries. Baby-proofing your home’s electrical system is one of the easiest and most effective ways to keep your baby safe.

What to Do:

Use outlet covers: Install childproof outlet covers on all unused outlets. Make sure the covers are large enough that your baby can’t remove them.
Hide electrical cords: Use cord covers to conceal any loose wires or cords, especially around areas where your baby will be playing. Cord shorteners can also help reduce the length of exposed cords.
Move power strips: If you have power strips or surge protectors, place them out of your baby’s reach, and consider using power strip covers for added protection.

We went through our entire house and put outlet covers in every room. It was a simple fix, but it gave us so much peace of mind knowing our baby couldn’t get to the electrical outlets.

5. Install Cabinet and Drawer Locks

Your kitchen and bathroom are filled with potential dangers for a curious baby, from cleaning supplies to sharp utensils. As soon as your baby starts crawling or cruising, they’ll likely make a beeline for cabinets and drawers. Installing childproof locks can prevent them from accessing hazardous items.

What to Lock:

Kitchen and bathroom cabinets: Install childproof locks on cabinets where you store cleaning supplies, medications, or sharp objects. You can also consider placing these items in high, out-of-reach locations.
Drawers with dangerous tools: Lock drawers that contain knives, scissors, or other sharp objects. Magnetic drawer locks are a great option because they’re easy for adults to unlock but secure for babies.
Toilet lid locks: Install a toilet lid lock to prevent your baby from playing in or around the toilet, which can pose a drowning risk.

I vividly remember the day I turned my back for a second, only to find my baby pulling open the kitchen cabinets. We immediately installed locks, and it made a world of difference!

6. Keep Small Objects Out of Reach

One of the biggest hazards for newborns and infants is choking on small objects. Babies love to explore the world with their mouths, and anything small enough to fit in their mouth can be a choking hazard. A good rule of thumb is that if an object can fit inside a toilet paper roll, it’s too small to be within your baby’s reach.

Choking Hazards to Watch For:

Small toys: Make sure that any toys your baby plays with are larger than their mouth and free of small, detachable parts. Always check the age recommendations on toys.
Coins, batteries, and buttons: Keep items like coins, batteries, and buttons out of your baby’s reach. Button batteries, in particular, are extremely dangerous if swallowed.
Food items: Be cautious of foods like nuts, grapes, and popcorn that can easily cause choking. As your baby starts eating solids, make sure food is cut into small, manageable pieces.

A trick that helped us was getting down to our baby’s level and crawling around the house to see what small objects might be within reach. You’d be surprised at what you find!

7. Create a Safe Bathing Area

Bath time can be one of the most enjoyable experiences with your newborn, but it’s important to ensure their safety around water. A few simple precautions can make bath time safe and stress-free.

Bath Safety Tips:

Use a baby bath seat: For newborns, use a specially designed baby bath seat or insert to help keep your baby supported during bath time.
Never leave your baby unattended: Always stay within arm’s reach of your baby during bath time. Even an inch of water can pose a drowning risk.
Set the water heater: Adjust your water heater to a maximum of 120°F (49°C) to prevent accidental scalding.
Use non-slip mats: Place non-slip mats in the bathtub and around the bathroom floor to prevent falls.

Bathing my newborn was one of my favorite bonding activities, but I made sure to follow these safety tips to keep bath time safe and fun.

8. Keep Hazardous Substances Locked Away

Household cleaners, medications, and chemicals are common items in every home, but they can be extremely dangerous for babies if ingested. It’s crucial to keep these substances out of your baby’s reach at all times.

How to Handle Hazardous Items:

Lock up cleaning supplies: Store all cleaning products in locked cabinets, preferably high up and out of reach.
Use childproof caps: Make sure all medications have childproof caps and are stored in locked drawers or cabinets.
Label everything: Clearly label any toxic substances, such as bleach, laundry detergent, or pesticides, and store them in their original containers to avoid confusion.

Conclusion: Baby-Proofing for Peace of Mind

Baby-proofing your home is all about creating a safe environment where your little one can thrive and explore. While it might seem overwhelming at first, tackling one area at a time can make the process more manageable. From securing furniture to installing baby gates and outlet covers, taking these steps early on will give you peace of mind as your baby grows.

Remember, baby-proofing is an ongoing process. As your baby becomes more mobile and curious, you’ll likely need to make additional adjustments. But with this newborn safety checklist in hand, you’re already well on your way to creating a safe and secure home for your little one.

At Baby So Right, we’re here to support you through every step of your parenting journey. By following these tips, you can focus on enjoying all the precious moments with your baby, knowing they’re safe and protected.