Baby proofing and making your home safe

Keeping your baby or toddler safe can feel like a big task, especially when your child starts rolling, crawling or walking. ‘Baby proofing’ is about making your home as safe as you can. This is sometimes known as toddler proofing or child proofing.

You may take different steps depending on the age and stage of your child.

Try not to put too much pressure on yourself to predict everything that might happen. Keep a first aid kit at home in case your child does have an accident. Don’t hesitate to take them to A&E or call NHS 111 if you’re worried.

You probably won’t need to buy too much for when your baby is young. But there are a few things to think about when making sure your house is safe.

Safe sleep and room temperature

It’s a good idea to check you have the right type of bed and bedding for your child’s age. The NHS recommends you sleep in the same room as your baby for the first 6 months. Start for Life has some advice on safe sleep.

It’s also helpful to try to keep the temperature of your rooms between 16°C and 20°C. This can be harder when the weather is very hot or cold. The Lullaby Trust explains what you need to know about room temperatures.

Carbon monoxide and smoke alarms

Carbon monoxide is a gas that can make you seriously ill or kill you, but you can’t see or smell it. It can be caused by fires or faulty appliances that burn gas, wood, coal or oil.

The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include:

• headaches
• feeling sick
• feeling dizzy

It might feel like a cold, flu or a hangover. But you may notice feeling worse when you are in the room where the gas is or better when you go outside. The NHS has more information about carbon monoxide poisoning.

It’s important to have a carbon monoxide alarm to alert you when there is carbon monoxide in your home.

You will also need to make sure you have smoke alarms fitted, in case of a fire. If you live in a flat, Citizens Advice has information on making sure your flat is fire safe.

If your rented home is unsafe

If you rent and you think your home is unsafe for a baby, speak to your landlord. This could be the case if you have a faulty boiler or damp, for example. If your landlord won’t act, you can also ask the council to check if your rented home needs repairs.

If you live in social housing, by law your landlord must fix hazards in your home.

Once your toddler starts moving around, they can go fast. They will always get some bumps as they explore the world and test their limits. But a bit of planning around the house and careful thought can help reduce the likelihood of anything serious happening.

Corners, walls, doors and stairs

You might want to think about:

• locks for cupboards, cabinets and doors if there are things you’d rather your child didn’t touch
• corner protectors for sharp corners or wall edges at angles where they could bump their heads
• soft-shut door stoppers if you’re worried about trapped fingers
• stair gates for the top and bottom of the stairs

Dangerous items

Be mindful about where you leave things and what your child can reach as they grow. Think about where you put:

• medication
• cleaning products
• electric cables or blind pulls that could be a chocking risk
• Irons and hair straighteners
• glasses, knives, hot drinks and your kettle
• animal toys, snacks and litter trays

If you’re unable to watch your toddler closely for a period of time, you could try a playpen. A travel cot also works for some people and can be cheaper.

Plugs

While many people still buy plug protectors to hide sockets from their toddlers, you should avoid plug protectors for safety reasons.

Bedroom

If your child sleeps in a bed, you could use a bed guard to stop them rolling out.

You might also want to think about a baby monitor for their bedroom, so that you can hear if they need you.

Fireplaces and radiators

If you have an open fire, it’s a good idea to get a fire guard.

Be aware how hot any radiators are in case your child touches it for too long.

If you’re struggling with money, you could get some items from a baby bank. If you’re pregnant or your baby is less than 6 months old, you could be eligible for a Sure Start Maternity Grant.

You can also ask for information on local support from your health visitor, midwife or local children’s centre.

Page last reviewed: April 2026
Next review due: April 2029