Parents installing baby gate, baby crawling
Safety

Babyproofing Checklist by Stage: Before Crawling, Crawling, Walking

May 16, 2026

Key takeaways: Start babyproofing before your baby moves. Set your water heater to 120°F, test smoke and CO alarms, and lock up medicines. Add gates, outlet covers, and furniture anchors as your baby crawls. Supervision is still the most important safety tool.

Most childhood injuries happen at home. Babyproofing in stages lets you focus on the biggest risks for your baby’s current abilities.

Stage 1: Before Your Baby Moves (Birth to About 4 Months)

Sleep:

  • Crib, bassinet, or play yard that meets federal standards. Bare except for a fitted sheet.
  • Crib away from windows, blinds, and cords.

Burns:

  • Set water heater to 120°F (49°C) or lower.
  • Never hold your baby while cooking or holding hot drinks.

Fire and air:

  • Working smoke alarms on every level, in bedrooms, and outside sleeping areas.
  • Carbon monoxide alarms near sleeping areas and on every level.
  • Smoke- and vape-free home and car.

Falls:

  • Never leave your baby alone on a bed, couch, or changing table.
  • Car seats and bouncers on the floor only.

Car:

  • Rear-facing car seat, correctly installed.

Emergency:

  • Save Poison Help (1-800-222-1222) in your phone.
  • Take an infant CPR class.

From the author

From First Breath to First Birthday is my month-by-month guide to your baby’s first year, written as a NICU and postpartum nurse. My book is a month-by-month guide to your baby’s first year, including the warning signs that mean it’s time to call the doctor.

See the book on Amazon →

Stage 2: Rolling, Sitting, and Crawling (About 4 to 9 Months)

Floor level:

  • Get down at your baby’s eye level and look for hazards.
  • Remove small objects: coins, buttons, batteries, magnets, pet food, small toy parts.
  • Cover outlets or use tamper-resistant outlets.
  • Secure cords from lamps, chargers, and blinds out of reach.

Poisons:

  • Lock up medicines, vitamins, cleaning products, laundry and dishwasher pods, nicotine, and cannabis.
  • Move houseplants out of reach; check if any are toxic.

Furniture and windows:

  • Anchor dressers, bookcases, and TVs to the wall.
  • Install window guards or stops that limit openings to 4 inches.
  • Replace corded window blinds with cordless.

Gates:

  • Install hardware-mounted gates at the top of stairs and gates at the bottom.

Crib:

  • Lower the crib mattress before your baby can sit up.
  • Remove mobiles once your baby can push up on hands and knees.

Stage 3: Pulling Up, Cruising, and Walking (About 9 to 12 Months and Beyond)

Kitchen:

  • Cabinet and drawer latches.
  • Stove knob covers; use back burners and turn pot handles inward.
  • Keep knives, glass, and appliances out of reach.

Bathroom:

  • Toilet locks.
  • Keep the bathroom door closed.
  • Store razors, cosmetics, and medicines up high and locked.

Living areas:

  • Corner guards on sharp table edges.
  • Remove tablecloths your baby could pull.
  • Keep hot drinks away from table edges.

Water:

  • Empty buckets, tubs, and kiddie pools right after use.
  • Four-sided pool fencing with self-closing, self-latching gates.

Firearms:

  • Store firearms unloaded and locked, with ammunition locked separately. Ask about safe storage in homes your child visits.

Ongoing Habits

  • Check for product recalls at CPSC.gov.
  • Supervise closely, especially around water, food, and stairs.
  • Review babyproofing as your child grows; new skills mean new hazards.

The Bottom Line

Babyproof in stages, staying one step ahead of your baby’s abilities. Focus on the highest risks first: sleep, water, burns, falls, poisons, and furniture tip-overs.

Want more support for your baby’s first year? My book, From First Breath to First Birthday, is available on Amazon.

Related Articles

Sources

  1. US Consumer Product Safety Commission. Childproofing your home: 12 safety devices to protect your children. https://www.cpsc.gov
  2. US Consumer Product Safety Commission. Anchor It! Furniture and TV tip-over prevention. https://www.cpsc.gov
  3. US Consumer Product Safety Commission. Avoiding tap water scalds. https://www.cpsc.gov
  4. National Fire Protection Association. Smoke alarms; Carbon monoxide safety. https://www.nfpa.org
  5. Lee LK, Fleegler EW, Goyal MK, et al; Council on Injury, Violence, and Poison Prevention. Firearm-related injuries and deaths in children and youth. Pediatrics. 2022;150(6):e2022060071.
  6. Moon RY, Carlin RF, Hand I; Task Force on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome; Committee on Fetus and Newborn. Sleep-related infant deaths: updated 2022 recommendations for reducing infant deaths in the sleep environment. Pediatrics. 2022;150(1):e2022057990.

This article is for general education and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice. Always talk with your baby’s health care provider or your own provider about your specific situation. If you think your baby or you may have a medical emergency, call 911.

Leave a Reply