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The idea of ‘baby-proofing’ – making a safe environment for your little one at home – can feel very overwhelming to a parent. Where do you begin? And how far do you take it?

To help you find a level of precaution that you’re comfortable with, we spoke to health visitor Kerry Bennett from Better Start Bradford. We also asked our for some of their thoughts and top tips around baby-proofing…

Safety vs exploration

One of the many balancing acts each of us must find in parenthood is around risk. Ensuring your child is ‘safe’, while allowing them to have relative freedom and discover more about the world around them. This balance depends on your child’s needs, their age, their environment, and ultimately, your own preferences.

“Your house has got to look like a home, it can’t be an empty box. If it’s like that, we’re not teaching our child how to navigate life when they’re outside of the home,” Kerry explains.

“So yes, make it safe, but there’s got to be an element of curiosity, learning and understanding consequences as well. We talk about locks and gates, especially when they start to toddle – it’s about finding a balance between limiting the available space but also allowing them to have opportunities for curiosity.”

Allowing your child to take risks during play also has its benefits.

Things to look out for

Some household hazards are non-negotiable when it comes to safety and will require a little thought and preparation. Kerry suggests a few to get you started.

Cleaning products and bleaches

Laundry tabs, toilet cleaner, bleaches – many of these products have child-safety lids and locks to prevent little hands from gaining access to the dangerous products inside, but Kerry says we shouldn’t be relying on these mechanisms and leaving things to chance.

“Get them up high or out of reach,” she says. “Or you can invest in a kid-proof lock for the cupboard, because that stops fingers being trapped as well.”

As we’ll cover later, it’s worth considering how appealing some of these cleaning products look to children – colourful liquids that might suggest sweet flavours!

Windows, balconies, stairs and blind cords

Stairs, windows and outdoor areas, like balconies, are important to consider, of course, because of the risk of a fall.

Kerry explains: “Climbing is great fun, isn’t it? We encourage children to climb at parks and they might do the same at home, so think about the furniture around windows – does that make the window accessible? Is there a lock on the window? Is it easy to open?”

“Families that live in high-rise flats might have balconies – there has to be a gate on the door and check that little ones can’t squeeze themselves through railings.”

that you continue to use stair gates at the top and bottom of stairs until your child is at least two years old, when you might start to teach them how to climb the stairs. This depends on their ability, of course, and you may want to leave gates up a little longer.

Kerry also highlights the suffocation dangers of blind and curtain cords around windows.

“Make sure that they’re double tied up out of reach [when not in use].”

Choking hazards

One major way babies and toddlers learn about new objects is by putting them in their mouths, so it’s really important to make sure that anything they can reach is something you’d be happy with them having a chew on.

At this early stage, toys need to be big enough that there’s no risk that they’ll be swallowed. But, Kerry asks, what if an older sibling has smaller toys that are often left out? These are a risk too.

“Can you get a tray to put your older child's toys in and lift them up high if your younger baby is starting to crawl and explore?”

At this critical stage, it’s also worth thinking about smaller household objects, like coins, or objects that might cause harm like small batteries for toys. Can these be reached or accessed?

And in terms of suffocation risks, carrier bags shouldn’t be anywhere near babies, but nappy bags can also prove hazardous, Kerry says.

“When you’re changing them, they can grab and get their hands on things quite easily.”

Cots

Kerry recognises that bumpers and matching cushions for cots look great in the shop, but “cots should be clear of everything”.

“There should just be a clear space for your child to sleep.”

Hot drinks

Babies and toddlers love to grab anything and everything, so make sure that teas and coffees are placed out of reach.

This is equally true for visits to other people’s houses – do they have a low coffee table? This may require a little thought and planning.

Trips and falls

This one is especially important if you’re still carrying your baby around the house. Kerry says make sure that doorways, halls and pathways through rooms are as clear of clutter as possible. Think about anything that might cause you to trip up.

If you’re carrying your baby in a carrier or car seat, “put [them] on the floor – the floor is best, if possible”. You might feel inclined to leave your baby up on the side or a table for a few minutes, but even if they’re properly secured the carrier or seat might fall.

E-cigarettes

If you use an e-cigarette, be mindful when leaving it on to charge that your child can’t reach it. Keep them behind a closed door in a room where your child can’t get into, if possible.

Would it look exciting to a baby?

It’s surprising how many hazards, things that young children shouldn’t be touching at all, seem to look so appealing – bright colours, attractive packaging, even mascots!

E-cigarettes are one example, they’re an interesting shape and often colourful. Toilet cleaning tabs are another.

“With gel tabs that you hang over the side of the toilet, which lots of people use, kids can get to the toilets and put their hands in very easily. Something brightly coloured, something to grab that's covered in water, they want to put it in their mouth,” Kerry explains.

Can you keep them away from the toilet, or should you switch products? “That’s the sort of thing we need to think about when they start crawling – be one step ahead of them.”

How to help your child stay safe

Model behaviour

As in many aspects of life, toddlers and young children look to their parents to help them make sense of things. This is true for language learning, it’s also true for safety.

Kerry explains that you can model consequences so your child can understand hazards for themselves.

“If you’re with your baby next to the radiator on the floor, you could touch it and say, ‘Ouch, that’s hot!’ It's explaining it in age-appropriate language.”

You could do the same thing for a cup of tea before it cools down.

Explain why something is off limits

As well as modelling consequences, you can also try to explain this to your child – just like the parents say they do in the comment above.

“Even though we think maybe children are a little bit too young to understand the rationale, it’s really important,” Kerry says.

“We're engaging in that conversation, aren't we? I would always be encouraging to give the rationale to your child.”

You might explain, ‘I lock these bottles away because they can be dangerous for children. This is just for Mummy and other adults to use.’

Stay safe away from home

‘Baby-proofing’ in an environment you have relative control over is one thing, but Kerry says parents need to stay vigilant when visiting friends and relatives and staying in hotels or guesthouses on holiday.

“Always be mindful of when that environment changes as well. Try not to be caught off guard.”

Perhaps you’re staying in a hotel with a balcony, something you’ve not had to deal with before. Or your friend might have older children, so doesn’t worry about using stair gates like you do.

Have a chat with you’re the person whose house your visiting, or the hotel and guestroom, then think about items you might need to bring with you, or the changes you need to make to keep your child safe (but again, allow them to be curious within reason!).

Be one step ahead

The most important part of ‘baby-proofing’ is staying one step ahead of your child and that involves a little mind-reading. After all, as Kerry says, “you know your child best.”

Knowing their personality, their fears, or perhaps their lack of fear, can help you to anticipate any risks and strike that perfect balance of precaution and freedom.

“We all know a child who sees an open door and they run for it. Whereas others might be hiding behind Mummy or Daddy’s legs. Look at the environment through their eyes.”

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