Whether you’re on a cozy bungalow rental in Austin or a multi-storey Boston home, bringing your baby into your space means seeing your home in a whole new light. From unexpected staircase falls to the coffee table corner, danger can be visibly hidden. Redfin asked Doulas, therapists, pediatrics and home experts to share the best safety tips to help baby proof without being overwhelmed or victimized by their parents. This is what they had to say.
1. Rethinking the room migration
“If baby proofing is a transition between rooms, one of the most overlooked dangers is a threshold, a step-down living area, or an unexpected staircase in an old house. It’s not just an outlet or furniture strap. It’s about looking at your home. – Clara O’Rourke, Doura & Birth Educator, Bright Birth
2. Literally, get on their level
“One of the best ways to find hidden dangers is to get to the ground and see the space from the baby’s point of view. If the object fits inside a roll of toilet paper, it’s a risk of suffocation. The process should be careful to keep small items and decorations out of reach, and to secure heavy furniture such as bookshelves and TVs to prevent tip over. – Laurin Burban, Raymus Holmes
3. Start where they play most
“One of the top dangers that parents often overlook is unsecured furniture such as dressers, bookshelves, and TVs that can be easily tilted. Our must-see safety tips are to secure all the big furniture and try out a clear guard for a clean look. – Dr. Bernard W. Jennings, Founder, Good Papa Act
4. Baby proof in stages, not everything at once
“To make your home safer without being overwhelmed or spending too much, focus on one room at a time, focus on one room at a time, covering the outlet, covering the outlet, fixing the cabinet, and tackling the big risk first. Skip flashy gadgets. Skip many effective safety tools, such as door stoppers and outlet covers. Touching hot surfaces is free and equally important.” – Diana Chastain, author from nanny to mama
5. Style meets safety with stairs
“Baby gating stairs are essential to keeping kids safe from waterfalls. Today’s baby gates have stylish designs such as pockets and barn door styles. For safety during playtime, Goose Waddle Pero and Pouf offer soft landings and attractive designs. – Katie, Goose Waddle
6.First fasten the small thing
“Our #1 babyproof priority is to secure outlets and doors to prevent electricity hazards and dangerous access to outdoor areas. Use high-risk spots on outlet covers, child pouf outlets and doorknob covers. Your space is safe without compromising on style.” – Sally Fork, the American Academy of Learning, Grown up
7. Don’t overlook the safety of your door
“The front and back door chimes are lifesavers, especially those who love turning door handles. Most alarm systems already include this feature, but parents can find affordable, simple standalone chimes. – Michael Devanney, Director/Owner, First Childcare
8. Hot drinks and hidden dangers
“One of the breast grounds underlying the most important infants is water and heat safety, especially warm drinks. Children who pull down the mug from the edge of the counter can suffer serious injuries. – Miranda, peaceful life with Miranda
9. Beware of unsecured codes and unanchan furniture
“Baby Proof often focuses on corners and outlet covers, but unsecured cords and unanchan furniture are just as dangerous. Babies love to pull and climb. So fixing furniture and fixed cords is two of our favorite upgrades, tamper resistant outlets and cordless blackout blinds. Help us guide you.” – Sondra Rodocker, a happy family after the happy family
10. A safer sleep starts with a simpler crib
“One of the best ways to reduce the risk of SIDS is to create a safe sleep space. Use a well-built sleep bag instead of loose bedding and always place your baby on your back in a bare crib. – Bambersu by Judith Kerr, Nana
11. Adjust your setup based on your baby’s behavior
“A powerful and secret baby gate is a must, especially as stairs and stylish acrylic gates blend beautifully with modern decor. Avoid everything at once. Instead, focus on big dangers like stairs and furniture. As your baby starts exploring, gradually adjust the setup based on your behavior.” – Uptodd Team
12. Start safety before your baby arrives
“Baby proofing begins before a baby is born. Set the water heater below 120°F to avoid burns and install window guards and anti-tip straps to prevent window-related injuries. – Iowa Baby Lady, Katy Kniberg
13. Don’t forget to be outdoors
“Although most parents are rooted indoors, forget that toddlers can easily slip outside, or forget, especially through the dog’s door. The self-closing hinges of external doors and gates can prevent accidental escapes. It doesn’t mean sacrificing style. Natural textures like baskets and wooden bowls keep things functional and beautiful.” – Sharon Road, futureexes.com
14.Less of things means less risk
“We don’t trust technology to betray our toddlers. We’ve seen babies “escape” cribs and toddlers scale “child-safe” pill bottles like the pros. Keep dangerous items out of reach and always close your child. And the director is your best safety tool. – Linda Clement, parents raising
15. Use a safe room to keep your baby safe
“The Pregnancy 101 class highlights how important the baby’s evidence is to child safety. Install stairs and security guards in the windows of the second story, and remove sharp edge furniture from the playground. Emphasises that babies use and keep safe rooms safe. – Kacey Minor, Pregnancy Network
16. Corner and edge protectors are essential
“My number one safety feature required is corners and edge protectors. It helps prevent painful bumps when your baby starts exploring. To keep the space better, choose a clear protector that blends in with the furniture. It blends in with the cycling store. – Large fat pregnancy.
17. Ask yourself, “What environment would you like to create?”
“If you cover the basics of covering furniture anchors, cabinet locks and outlets, is it worth asking what kind of environment you want to create? Some people prefer a very safe “yes space” for stress-free exploration, but allow calculated risks beyond physical safety.
18. You don’t have to do everything at once
“Don’t try to turn everything into a baby pouf at once. It’s the fastest way to burn out. Start with the room where your child is the least monitored or at the highest risk. Usually, protecting the kitchen and bathroom will allow you to move outwards. Baby pouf is not a temporary task. – Dr. Kimberly Idko, Special Parent Coach
19. Start with low hanging fruit
“Baby proof doesn’t have to be perfect, reduce the chances of something being wrong. Start with “low leaning fruit”: install a store break, cover outlet, and simple cabinet lock. After that, you will work on major tasks such as securing stairs and stopping stairs. – Jen & Gabriele raises an Orchid child
