From the moment you spot those two faint lines on the pregnancy test kit, the journey to becoming a parent is a rollercoaster of emotions—anxiety included. Babies are naturally curious—which means almost everything in your home turns into a potential adventure or hazard. Here’s a complete guide on how to babyproof your home before your little one comes along.
When should you start babyproofing?
Image credit: At The Chias
While babies only start becoming more mobile around the 6- to 12-month mark, it’s always a good idea to start babyproofing early because life gets busier once the baby comes along. It’s recommended that babyproofing be done during pregnancy or while your baby is still a newborn.
The second trimester is the best time to start babyproofing, as it’s often called the “golden window” of pregnancy: the nausea and fatigue from the first trimester have finally simmered down, and your bump isn’t too big yet.
Babyproofing guide for hidden dangers around the house
Conceal wires & sockets in every room
Image adapted from: Pinterest, Shopee
While you’re keeping busy with chores in the living room, your toddler might be waddling around, exploring every corner. You may want to get a cable box (at $15) or a wire protector (at $16), to help keep the cords and strips out of reach—they’re easy to trip over and can lead to nasty falls.
Image credit: Julianna Mar
And since little fingers can easily find their way into power sockets, socket covers (from $7) or outlet safety caps (from $0.50) are a must.
Sharp corners & loose furniture that can be climbed
Image adapted from: Shopee
We’ve all seen horror videos of furniture pieces toppling over onto babies or toddlers. While IKEA furniture already comes with wall anchors, other furniture that might tip over should be fastened or anchored onto a wall with a furniture anchor (from $18), just in case your little one bumps into it or tries pulling on it.
As for anything that’s breakable, like glass decor, it’s best to relocate them to higher, out-of-reach spots.
Image adapted from: IKEA, Amazon
Covering sharp corners on furniture like tables with rubber bumpers (at $8) or bumper strips (at $24) is a smart way to prevent painful knocks.
Kitchen stove, oven knobs, cabinets & the fridge
Image credit: Amazon
The kitchen can be one of the most dangerous areas for a baby, so it’s important to babyproof it securely. With all the sharp tools, hot surfaces, and cleaning products around, it only takes a second for something to go wrong.
To start, install knob covers (from $30) on your stove and an oven lock (from $17) to prevent toddlers from accidentally turning on the burners or opening the oven door when you’re not looking.
Image credit: Amazon
Relocating sharp objects and cleaning supplies to higher shelves that are well out of reach is also essential. For an extra layer of safety, consider adding cabinet locks (at $12) to lower cupboards and fridge locks (at $23) to keep curious hands out.
Bathroom spouts & slippery floors
Image credit: Singapore Bathtubs
The bathroom is often damp, which makes it a potential slip hazard for babies. That’s where anti-slip mats come in handy, as they’re easy to install and remove. But most importantly, they help reduce the risk of falls. You’ll find options like square strip mats (from $55) or silicone versions (at $49).
To prevent your baby from turning the toilet bowl into a water park, add a toilet lid lock (at $15) to keep it shut.
For an extra layer of security, consider faucet guards (from $21) to soften accidental bumps—especially if your little one knocks into them. Also ensure that sharp or dangerous items like razors and medications are stored high up in cabinets or mirror storage units where your child can’t reach them.
Creating a safe nursery
Image credit: Hatchery
To help your baby sleep soundly, it’s all about creating a safe sleep environment, and if you’re looking for a reliable crib to start with, Hatchery has stylish, safety-tested options worth checking out. They offer different crib styles, with some being convertible, so you don’t have to constantly get a new bed for your baby as they grow.
Crib slats should be no more than 6cm apart to prevent a baby from sticking their head through and getting stuck. Also double-check that all screws, bolts, and brackets are securely fastened and that the frame isn’t wobbly.
To keep an eye on your baby while you’re busy around the house, install a baby monitor; it’ll help save you from constantly peeking in to check on them. It’s also worth placing non-toxic padded mats (from $208) near cribs to not only cushion unexpected falls, but also create a safe place for tummy time or for your baby to crawl around on.
Image credit: @wandermats
When the baby is at crawling age, consider investing in a convertible playpen or a netted playpen (at $138) to keep your little ones safe when you need to take your eyes off them for a minute. These can be moved from room to room to suit your needs!
However, both get the job done in making the space secure for your baby to explore and play freely, whilst also giving you peace of mind knowing they’re not going to venture into places they shouldn’t be.
Doors & pinched fingers
Image adapted from: Amazon, @shopbitte
Even your own bedroom isn’t safe once a toddler learns how a door functions. In order to keep them away from off-limit areas like storage areas or bathrooms, consider installing door knob covers (at $25) which would make it harder for little hands to twist the handle or a baby gate (from $179) that would block access to areas like the kitchen or staircases, preventing them from ending up in places they shouldn’t be in.
Doorstoppers are another must-have—they help prevent doors from slamming shut and protect tiny fingers from accidental pinches.
Babyproofing your home at the renovation stage
If you’re expecting or simply planning ahead for a kid-friendly home, there are smart design choices you can make during renovation that’ll spare you from having to rely on loose babyproofing items that might disrupt your home’s aesthetic.
Image credit: Studio FortyFour
Curves have never been more of a practical choice than in this situation. You finally have a justified reason to tell your ID to go ham with all those curved edges—we’re talking built-in carpentry, furniture and even walls—this way you can avoid the need for corner bumpers.
Image credit: SoftFrame Designs
Go for sofas that are completely covered in fabric or leather, and cushioned well around all the corners. This will help you avoid unnecessary stress in the future. The same logic goes for your beds and headboards.
Image credit: Casey Calhoun on Pinterest
This is also the perfect time to position electrical outlets higher up or get creative with the placement of your power sockets, concealing them inside your carpentry. Also speak to your contractor or ID to get them to install some tamper-proof wall sockets, that will help keep little fingers out of danger.
Over in the kitchen, you can eliminate the need for ugly cabinet locks if you go for handle-less drawers and cupboards, better yet if your drawers have a tic-tac or push-latch system that babies won’t be able to comprehend. You can even convince your partner to top-up your reno budget a bit to invest in Blum’s range of soft-close hinges—read the full homeowner review on Blum hinges here.
Don’t forget to factor in heaps of built-in storage for the mountain of baby clothes, diapers and toys you’ll be having around the house!
For more articles about household gadgets:
- 7 appliances & gadgets for busy homeowners
- 10 best Xiaomi home gadgets ranked based on performance & value
- Top 18 smart home gadgets to buy in Singapore
Cover image adapted from: Pinterest, Wandermats
Drop us your email so you won't miss the latest news.
