Think Baby Proofing Was Hard? Just Wait Until They Start Walking

Once your toddler starts to walk, run, and explore every corner, even the most ordinary household items can quickly turn into potentially harmful hazards. That's why child-proofing your home is so important—especially when you ever need to leave your child unattended, even if it's just for a moment.

Fortunately, making your home safer is simple. With a few smart changes, you can easily create a secure environment where your toddler is free to play, learn, and grow, giving you peace of mind.

Ready to get started? We've gathered expert tips to help you make every room—from the kitchen to the hallway—safe for your child.

Why baby proofing your home should continue into toddlerhood

Toddlers are natural explorers, making baby-proofing essential during these early years, says Ashanti Woods, MD, FAAP, a board-certified pediatrician at Mercy Family Care Physicians in Baltimore, Maryland.

"Toddlers, from 12 months up to almost four years old, are in different developmental stages," explains Woods. "A 12-month-old may be pulling to stand and taking first steps, while a two-year-old is climbing furniture, running, and forming short sentences.” Because of these rapid changes, Woods urges all family members to stay alert to household hazards.

Theresa Bertuzzi, a Canadian early childhood education expert and co-founder of Tiny Hoppers, a chain of early learning centers and daycare providers across Canada, adds that toddlers’ cognitive development also drives them to explore.

"At this stage, toddlers are eager to interact with their environment through touching, tasting, and testing boundaries," she explains. "This natural curiosity, while wonderful for learning, also increases their risk of encountering hazards."

Why home safety is crucial for toddlers

Jennifer Walker, RN, BSN, a pediatric nurse and founder of Moms On Call, notes that toddlers' natural curiosity and tendency to live in the moment are key to their development but can also put them at risk. "That’s why it is important to make sure the spaces where toddlers spend most of their time are as safe as possible," she explains.

Woods adds that anything within a toddler’s reach can become a potential hazard. “This includes things like electrical cords, ornaments, and even cups with hot drinks," he says. "Small objects that might have fallen behind the couch can also become choking hazards."

Bertuzzi stresses that because toddlers often act before they think, parents should be proactive. "Taking steps like securing heavy furniture, using safety gates, and keeping dangerous substances out of reach can prevent many common injuries," she suggests. "These steps not only prevent injuries but also allow children to explore their world safely and confidently."

General principles of toddler-proofing your home

Walker notes that home safety depends largely on two factors, starting with how familiar adults are with their own homes. She explains, “As adults, we’ve learned to spot dangers and have satisfied our curiosity about our surroundings. This makes it easy to forget how a curious toddler sees things.”

To illustrate, Walker shares, “I once hid a stick-up air freshener under the diaper pail lid. My two-year-old found it in two minutes and broke it open. Fortunately, I caught him before he could chew on the insert. Even as a pediatric nurse, I’m not immune to a toddler’s surprises.”

Walker stresses that childproofing requires seeing your home from a toddler’s perspective, setting clear boundaries, and providing constant supervision.

“Toddlers can learn simple safety rules, but we can’t rely on them to always follow through," she says. "The safest environment comes from teaching them to listen to your guidance and remembering that childproofing never replaces supervision. With toddlers, you must always play both offence and defence.”

Room-by-room safety checklist: kitchen and dining areas

For a safer home, use this checklist to child-proof your kitchen and dining spaces.

Stove and oven safety

Making sure your stove and oven are safe is a key part of child-proofing your kitchen.

Woods suggests paying attention to features like oven door locks (to keep little ones from opening them), using the back burners (so hot pots and pans are out of reach), and always turning pot handles toward the back.

Cabinet and drawer locks

Toddlers love to explore, which means they might open kitchen drawers and cabinets where dangerous items are stored.

“Things like cleaning supplies, sharp objects such as knives, or certain spices, which could be harmful to children, are often kept in these spots,” says Woods. "That’s why it’s smart for parents to use cabinet locks to keep little hands safe."

Appliance safety

Even if you think items are safely out of reach, Woods recommends that parents secure appliances, dressers, or any drawer units to the wall.

“Heavier appliances might seem less likely to tip over, but that’s not always the case,” he explains. “Kids will find creative ways to reach what they want—like pulling out a refrigerator drawer to climb up for a yogurt pouch, or using the oven door as a step to get to those cookies in the upper cabinet.”

Tablecloths and cords

Woods also advises parents to watch out for tablecloths and cords.

“Kids tend to grab whatever’s within reach, especially if they’re falling,” he explains. “Even if they don’t mean to, a toddler who trips might instinctively grab a tablecloth or appliance cord, which could cause something—like a hot mug—to fall and lead to an injury that could have been avoided.”

High chair safety

When using a high chair, safety should be a top priority. Bertuzzi advises that you always buckle your child in with the safety harness and pick a high chair that’s both sturdy and stable to avoid tripping hazards.

"You'll also want to remember not to place the chair too close to the wall, since a child could push off and risk falling," she cautions. "Most importantly, always keep an eye on your child while they're seated in the high chair to ensure their safety."

Room-by-room safety checklist: bathroom and laundry areas

Bathrooms, like kitchens, pose significant risks for toddlers and young children.

Dr. Michael Glazier, a board-certified pediatrician and medical director at Bluebird Kids Health, notes that hard tile floors and sharp corners make falls in bathrooms especially dangerous. He also warns that sinks, toilets, bathtubs, and water heaters present serious water hazards for small children.

Glazier also recommends always keeping bathroom doors closed and secured with a childproof doorknob cover or latch placed high out of reach. "Additional safety measures include keeping toilet lids down with a childproof lock, using bathmats to prevent slips, and storing medications in childproof containers well out of reach," he says.

You also should be mindful of where you place decorative items and electrical devices in the bathroom. Glazier advises against storing things on top of the toilet tank or shelves nearby, as this can tempt toddlers to climb. "Never leave electrical items like hairdryers or straighteners plugged in or within reach, since their cords can cause burns or even strangulation," he adds. "Make sure all electrical outlets have child safety covers as well."

Laundry rooms also require vigilance. Glazier advises keeping the door closed and secured, using a toddler safety lock on front-loading washers, and storing laundry products high up in childproof containers. He continuesw, "I also recommend avoiding detergent pods, as their bright colors can attract toddlers and pose a poisoning risk if swallowed."

Room-by-room safety checklist: living areas and bedrooms

Keep your living room and bedrooms safe with these toddler-proofing tips.

Furniture and TV anchoring

Tip-overs are a serious hazard, especially for toddlers who like to climb. “Heavy furniture like bookshelves, dressers, and TVs can tip over surprisingly easily if they’re not anchored, posing a deadly risk to young children,” warns Bertuzzi.

To prevent accidents, she recommends securing these items with wall anchors and safety straps, keeping them stable and out of reach of curious kids.

Window safety

To keep windows safe, Bertuzzi suggests installing window guards or stops to prevent children from opening more than a few inches. She continues, "Move furniture away from windows to stop kids from climbing up, and always secure blind cords with winders or cleats to eliminate strangulation risks."

Electrical safety

Electrical safety is essential throughout your home, including living rooms and bedrooms. Bertuzzi recommends using tamper-resistant outlet covers or sliding plates to keep outlets out of reach.

She also advises covering power strips, hiding cords behind furniture, avoiding extension cords in areas accessible to children, and regularly checking devices for frayed wires or damage.

Cord safety

To prevent cords from becoming safety hazards, Bertuzzi suggests bundling and shortening them with Velcro ties, then securing them to walls or baseboards using cord concealers.

She also recommends keeping cords from blinds and electronics out of reach by anchoring them high or tucking them behind furniture. For blinds, opt for retractable or cordless designs to eliminate cord-related risks entirely.

Small objects and choking hazards

Bertuzzi advises regularly checking floors and play areas for small objects at children’s eye level. She also suggests avoiding toys with tiny, detachable parts and using the toilet paper roll test—if an item fits through the roll, it’s too small.

Room-by-room safety checklist: stairs, hallways, and doors

Don’t overlook stairs, hallways, or doors when childproofing—these spots can be serious hazards for young children.

To reduce risks in hallways, consider these tips:

Stair gates

Morgan Agosto, Occupational Therapist and Child Safety Expert at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, recommends installing stair gates at both the top and bottom of stairs to keep children safe.

He also advises securing gates firmly to the wall with proper brackets and hardware, and regularly checking that locking latches are intact and untampered with.

Door locks and alarms

Agosto recommends installing doorknob covers or locks on doors to keep children out of unsafe areas, preventing them from wandering or accessing danger.

He also suggests using alarms to keep children away from unsafe items. “These alarms can alert adults immediately and often startle children, prompting them to move away from dangerous areas and return to where it’s safe,” Agosto adds. “It’s also important to have smoke alarms installed in the home."

Hallway hazards

To keep your hallways safe, clear away any clutter and make sure rugs won’t slide around. Agosto recommends securing rugs with anti-slip adhesives or removing them altogether, if possible.

“Attach furniture to the walls so it can’t fall over if bumped, and use plenty of lighting—wall lights or motion lights work well,” he suggests. “You can also place a basket at the entrance of the hallway for toys and other items to help keep walkways clear and reduce the risk of tripping.”

Finger pinch guards

To prevent toddlers from pinching their fingers in doors, use finger pinch guards. Agosto describes these as foam cuffs that clip onto doors or long panels that block the gap between the door and frame.

He recommends attaching guards to the door edge to keep it from closing fully and placing them anywhere, such as on doors, cabinets, or other openings where a child could get hurt if something shuts unexpectedly.

Securing external doors

Agosto recommends securing all external doors with locks that are difficult for toddlers to operate. He suggests installing door frame locks with magnetic sensors that trigger an alarm when opened, and using swing lock mechanisms or latch lock door straps mounted high on the wall, within adult reach, to block doors from opening.

He continues, "Placing door knob covers on the inside of doors can also help prevent children from leaving certain areas, and adding chains to the inside of doors provides an extra layer of security."

Car seat safety

To keep your child as safe as possible in the car, it’s best to use a rear-facing car seat for as long as you can. Rear-facing seats offer the best protection because they support your child’s head, neck, and spine, and help spread out the force of a crash over their whole body.

Essential safety devices for toddler-proofing

Several safety devices can simplify toddler-proofing. According to Agosto, parents should consider the following items.

Safety gates

Safety gates are an effective way to keep children out of unsafe or restricted areas at home.

As Agosto explains, “Common options include slide-and-lock gates that fit inside door frames, wall-mounted gates that open by sliding or swinging, and pressure-mounted gates designed to secure between doorways. Whichever type you choose, however, always install safety gates at the entrances to hazardous areas."

Cabinet and drawer locks/latches

Cabinet and drawer locks and latches help keep children away from hazardous items.

According to Agosto, "Options include clip-and-latch styles that connect the cabinet and door or drawer, limiting how far they can open, as well as magnetic latches that require an external magnet to unlock. There are also loops and locks for cabinet handles or double doors, which typically need a squeeze, pinch, or clasp to release."

However, Agosto recommends installing locks only on cabinets or drawers containing chemicals, cleaners, breakables, or valuables. "Leaving one or two drawers accessible allows children to explore safely and may reduce their attempts to access locked areas," he explains.

Furniture anchoring

Bertuzzi warns that unsecured furniture and TVs can be especially dangerous for toddlers who love to climb. She recommends securing these items with wall anchors or safety straps to prevent tip-overs and protect young children.

Outlet covers and tamper-resistant outlets

You can enhance child safety by using outlet covers and tamper-resistant outlets. According to Agosto, "Outlet covers are plastic pieces you plug in yourself," but notes that "covers can be pulled out by curious hands."

In contrast, he points out that tamper-resistant outlets have built-in safety that blocks anything except a real plug,  providing constant protection. "Both options, however, help prevent kids from inserting objects into sockets and reduce the risk of shocks," he says.

Door locks and doorknob covers

Agosto also recommends door locks and knob covers, which are designed to make it hard for little ones to open doors on their own.

"This keeps them from wandering out of the house or into dangerous areas like bathrooms, kitchens, or pools without an adult," he says.

Corner and edge guards

"Corner and edge guards are like bumper pads for your furniture," explains Agosto. "They help protect children from painful scratches, cuts, or head injuries when they fall or run into sharp-edged furniture or other household items."

Dealing with specific hazards: poisons, choking, burns

To never be caught off guard, make emergency preparedness a key part of your child-proofing plan.

Use these essential tips to prevent poisoning, choking, and burns:

Poison prevention

Lamiya Islam, an injury prevention specialist at Children’s Health in Texas, emphasizes that poison prevention is a crucial part of childproofing your home, as many household items can be toxic to children.

“Common household poisons include cleaning products, medications, vitamins, and certain plants or beauty products,” Islam explains. “Young children may mistake these for candy or drinks, so it’s essential to keep dangerous items locked away and out of sight.”

Choking prevention

"Common choking hazards include small board game pieces or toys, grapes, nuts, and coins," explains Islam. "You can prevent choking by keeping small items out of sight and reach and cutting food into tiny, manageable pieces."

Burn prevention

Hot drinks, stovetops, curling irons, and even bath water can burn children in seconds. Islam advises keeping hot items out of reach, testing bath water first, and using back burners when cooking. She adds, “Set a ‘no-go’ or ‘kid-free’ zone around hot areas so your child knows where not to play.”

Emergency preparedness

Quick action in the first moments of an emergency is crucial.

“To stay prepared, save emergency and poison control numbers, and learn basic first aid so you can respond quickly and confidently when your child needs you most,” Islam says. “A little preparation now brings a lot of peace later.”

The bottom line

Child-proofing your home is an ongoing process that evolves as your toddler grows and begins to explore new spaces. It’s important to consider every level of your home, as potential hazards can exist on each floor. By proactively securing each room and addressing possible dangers, you create a safer environment where your child can thrive.

Experts

• Ashanti Woods, MD, FAAP, is a board-certified pediatrician specializing in general pediatrics at Mercy Family Care Physicians in Baltimore, Maryland.
• Jennifer Walker, RN, BSN, is a pediatric nurse and founder of Moms On Call.
• Theresa Bertuzzi is a Canadian early childhood education expert and co-founder of Tiny Hoppers.
• Morgan Agosto is an occupational therapist and child safety expert at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children.
• Lamiya Islam is an injury prevention specialist at Children’s Health in Texas.