Fortunately, by using simple childproofing measures, such as cabinet locks, doorknob covers, and gates for stairs, along with supervision, you can prevent many accidents and tragedies. Learn the best ways to childproof your living space to keep your little one safe.

How to Childproof Your Home

While all accidents can’t be avoided, doing your best to make your home safe will help to prevent many of them. There are many steps to follow in order to fully childproof your home, including the following:

Set the temperature of your hot water heater to 120 degrees F. Install smoke detectors on every level of your home and near bedrooms. Install carbon monoxide detectors near sleeping areas in your homes if you use gas or oil heat or have an attached garage. Install covers on electrical outlets. Place cushions on the corners of furniture. Cut window blind cords or use safety tassels and inner cord stops to help prevent your child from strangling in window blind cord loops. Secure furniture and large appliances to the wall, so that your kids can’t tip them over if they climb on them Check the floor regularly for small items and toys that younger children can choke on. This includes marbles, balls, uninflated or broken balloons, small magnets, small Lego pieces and other toys with small pieces.

Is your home childproofed?

KidCo Electrical Safety Assortment KitSafety First Essentials Child-Proofing KitKidCo Electrical Safety Kit AssortmentSafety First Family Room Child-Proofing KitSafety First 46-Piece Home Solutions Family Room Child-Proofing KitSafety First Outlet PlugsKidCo Anti-Tip Furniture StrapKidCo Soft Jamb Door Stop - eliminates the removable rubber tips that kids can choke on

Securing Doors to Unsafe Rooms with Door Knob Covers

One of the first steps in childproofing your home involves making sure that your kids can’t get out of the house and can’t get into rooms that aren’t childproofed. Door knob covers make it hard for little hands to get a grip, turn, and open doors. They should be placed on all of the doors leading out of your home and on bathroom doors. It is also a good idea to place them on closet doors and on the doors of any other room that you don’t want your child to get into.

Safety First Secure Grip Door Knob CoversSafety First Lever Handle LockMommy’s Helper Lever-Lok

Cabinet Locks

Just as you don’t want your child to open doors to get to unsafe areas, you don’t want them to open bathroom or kitchen cabinets that may hold unsafe products. To secure your cabinets, the big options are usually an interior latch that you screw into your cabinets or an external lock. Each has their drawbacks, with the big problem with internal latches being that they often stop working. The downside of an external lock is that you have to remember to put them back on each time you open your cabinets. To be extra safe, you might use a ’layers of protection’ childproofing method and install both.​

Safety First Cabinet Flex-Lock (as pictured above)KidCo Cabinet LockSafety First Cabinet Slide LockAnother Safety First Cabinet Slide Lock

Internal Cabinet and Drawer Locks

An internal cabinet and drawer lock can be more difficult to install than an external lock, but you don’t have to remember to reattach it each time that you open your cabinets and drawers.

KidCo Finger Protector Cabinet & Drawer LocksKidCo Adhesive Mount Cabinet/Drawer LockKidco Swivel Cabinet & Drawer LockKidCo Drawer and Cabinet Lock

Stove Guard

Your stove can be a big hazard to your kids, who can get burned by food that is cooking on the stove or turn on the burners and get seriously burned. In addition to using the back burners when cooking and turning handles away from the front of your stove, a stove guard can make your stove safe. Similar to the stove guard, plastic guards can keep your kids away from electronics in your home, like your TV, VCR, or DVD player.

Adjustable Stove Guard TV Guard for Large Televisions - isn’t it annoying when your kids turn the TV on and off while you are trying to watch your favorite show?Parent Units VCR GuardSafety First Power Strip Cover

Appliance Locking Strap

Appliances in your home pose their own safety hazards. In addition to opening the oven and getting burned, your kids might open the dishwasher and pull out a knife and get cut, or pull unsafe items out of the refrigerator. An appliance latch or lock can help you to secure all of these kitchen appliances. A toilet lid lock is also a good idea so that your kids can’t open the toilet and drown.

Safety First Safety 1st Oven Lock (as pictured above)Parent Units Refrigerator GuardSafety First Toilet LockKidCo Toilet Lock

Swing Stair Gate with Extensions

Securing the stairs in your home to prevent falls is another essential part of childproofing your home. Gates should be installed on both the top and bottom of every staircase in your home.

KidCo Configure Gate (like the one pictured above) - great for odd landings at the bottom of stairsEvenflo Wide Spaces Swing GateOne Step Ahead Wide Spaces Swing GateKidCo Safeway Baby GateSafety First Swing ‘N Lock Gate

Adjustable Gate

In addition to keeping your kids off the stairs, baby gates can help to keep your kids from entering rooms through wide doorways. An adjustable, portable mesh gate can also make it easy to set up a temporary barrier when you are visiting friends or family members that don’t have a well-childproofed home.

Evenflo Extra Wide Soft GateKiddy Guard Gate from Regal LagerKiddyguard

Window Gates and Guards

Installing a window gate or guard is important to prevent falling through the windows. Remember that they should be strong enough to prevent a fall, but also meet the latest standards so that they can be easily opened in case of a fire. A window guard can be a good idea even if you are on the first floor so that your child can’t get out of the house through a low, open window.

Guardian Angel Window Guard (as pictured above)KidCo Window Wedge - prevents windows from being opened wide enough to allow fallsKidCo Window Safety Kit Assortment - an assortment of window wedges, blindwinders, and sliding window locks

Fireplace Gate

Many homes have fireplaces, and although it is nice to have a fire going on a cold night, it is important to keep your kids safe from the fire. A fireplace gate is a great way to keep your kids out of your fireplace and at a safe distance when you have a fire going. Remember to also keep your fireplace and chimney cleaned and inspected regularly, use a fireplace screen, and don’t leave your kids unattended when a fire is burning.

KidCo Hearth GateKidCo Hearth Gate 24" ExtensionHearth KushionKid Kusion Fireplace Bumper PadPrince Lionheart Fireplace Guard Safety Item

A Word From Verywell

Parents want to keep their children safe, but the truth is that you can’t avoid every accident. However, with some diligent childproofing, you can make your home as safe as possible. That said, the most important way to protect your child is to keep close supervision until they are at an age and maturity level when they can safely be left unattended.