Secure your space: a guide to toddler proofing your home

Transform your home into a toddler-safe zone! Our expert tips on how to toddler proof your home will give you peace of mind in no time.

By Nicola Conville for Practical Parenting

Toddlers have a tendency to think they are invincible, and are wildly curious about the world around them.

Thinking about the dangers can be overwhelming, but there’s plenty you can do to ensure their environment is as safe as possible by childproofing your house.

Dive into our essential tips on how to toddler proof your home and keep your active little ones safe from common household hazards.

Rear view of a cute little African boy riding his toy tricycle around his kitchen at home — Toddler safety 101: How to proof your home effectively (Image: Getty)

Safety guidelines for toddler-proofing your home

When you know your home is as safe as possible, it’s easier to give young children freedom. Here’s a list of guidelines:

Prevent scalds from hot water by placing saucepans on the back burners and turn the handles away from the edge of the bench out of your child’s reach, and get reusable cups with lids for your tea and coffee.
Prevent falls by moving your little one to a bed or mattress on the floor as soon as she can climb out of her cot.
Close doors and use safety gates to keep your child out of the bathroom and kitchen. Make sure other family members are vigilant about this too.
Put away any cleaning products, medicines and alcohol immediately after using them to prevent poisoning.
Attach bookshelves and cupboards to the wall to prevent them crushing little climbers.
Talk to your child about the consequences of playing with electricity and supervise them when playing around the house. Make sure that power points are safe with certified plug covers, and keep powered devices out of their reach.
Put padding on sharp corners and keep floors clear of toys and other objects a small child could trip over.
Keep sharp objects like scissors and nail files locked away or well out of your toddler’s reach. Don’t rely on childproof tops on bottles to keep your toddler safe.
Invest in a good first aid kit and consider taking a basic first aid course to learn how to prevent choking, deal with accidents and perform CPR.