Help me baby proof my house

[Lottiebugz22]

So far I have got baby gates.

[DelurkingAJ]

You might wait and see what kind of baby you have. Neither of mine were into opening cupboards but they did want to play with doors. So we never used the cupboard fasteners but we did have those foam C shapes that stop doors from slamming shut.

Baby gates...beware climbers...DS1 never climbed (still doesn’t at 6) so I got an almighty shock finding DS2 astride the top of our upstairs gate at 18 months (it came down instantly).

[Pipandmum]

I think I moved cleaning things out of reach or put safety catches on cupboards. Obviously anything precious/breakable out of reach too. Those flat plastic covers for sockets. Didn’t bother with the corner thingys but if you have a glass coffee table maybe. Depends on your child - curious and active? Then get on your hands and knees and see where the dangers are. Older toddlers can climb chairs and bookcases!

[ElstreeViaduct]

Cushions or a blanket on any hearthstone. A lock on the cupboard for cleaning chemicals, washing powder, dishwasher tablets and medicines, or put them up high. Anything else is optional.

We put a stairgate across our kitchen door - simpler than thinking about every cupboard, the oven, the cat's bowls. We liked the screw in ones that open fully and leave no trip hazard.

Largely it depends on you and your baby. With DC1 we babyproofed little, said "no" and moved her away. With DC2 we babyproofed like mad!

[ElstreeViaduct]

Oh and teaching a toddler to get up and down stairs safely (going down on their bottom, one step at a time) is a good exercise from quite young. Better that they practice while you're supervising.

[Jamb16]

Just to let you know, socket covers are now considered dangerous and safer to leave plug sockets exposed.

[seven201]

I agree that it depends on the child. My friend didn't need to baby proof anything, including stairs! Second one she's had to baby proof lots. We have lots of stair gates and cupboard locks, didn't need anything else except moving fragile things to higher shelves.

[seven201]

Oh all our shelf units, chest of drawers etc are secured to the wall. They always have been though.

[MustardScreams]

Do not get socket covers!!! They are dangerous and make it easier for a baby or child to receive a fatal shock. UK plug sockets are the safest in the world.

Dd was really easy and I haven’t needed to baby-proof apart from stairs and obvious things like keeping dangerous objects out of reach, and a fire guard. It’ll be easier to work out when you know your child’s personality a bit better.

[CrotchetyQuaver]

We put a lock on the freezer part of our fridge feeezer as they kept opening the door and not shutting it properly...
the only bad things that happened when they were little, if your cooker/oven is below the worktop, how hot does the door get?
We had a cut head that needed glueing together when one toppled backwards onto an outward facing corner and hit the skirting board. We ended up with a stair gate to keep them out of the kitchen when we were cooking.

[movingontosomethingnew]

Mine opened everything. Loved s cupboard and could open all the baby catches so gates on every door were a must.

I'm hoping this baby isn't so inquisitive...

Don't use socket covers.