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Childproofing Your Home

Child putting a cord in an outlet

As you welcome a new baby, prepare for toddlerhood, or relocate to a new home, it is important to provide a safe environment for your child. The resources below can help with that process.

Table of Contents

IEL Resources

Web Resources

  • Childproofing Checklist by Age
    Source: International Association for Child Safety

    Learn important safety measures you can take to childproof your home, based on the age and development of your child.

  • Childproofing Your Home
    Source: National Safety Council

    This article provides information on suffocation, high-risk zones in the home, safety tips, and suggestions to help families prepare for the unexpected. 

  • Childproofing Your Home for Poisons
    Source: HealthyChildren.org

    Before or as soon as children begin crawling or walking, parents and caregivers need to take extra steps to make sure harmful items are out of reach, out of sight, and locked up if possible. 

  • Create a Safe Environment for Your Family
    Source: International Association for Child Safety

    This booklet provides information on childproofing, harmful house products, safe plants, outdoor safety, and child safety resources. 

  • Health and Safety Tips for Children
    Source: Illinois Department of Children and Family Services

    Common causes of accidental childhood injuries include drowning, falls, fires or burns, poisoning, suffocation and motor vehicle crashes. This guide, intended to spark conversations with caseworkers, covers health and safety concerns and avoiding risks. 

  • Home Safety Webinar
    Source: Head Start ECLKC

    This 72-minute webinar addresses safety risks and injury prevention tips for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Included are some home safety checklists that families and staff can complete together. 

  • How to Add Childproofing to a Home
    Source: This Old House

    This short video provides a parent with tips to keep a baby safe around the house by using cabinet locks, a baby gate, outlet covers, and securing a television. 

  • How to Childproof Your Home
    Source: This Old House

    This short video demonstrates quick, effective ways to safeguard children around the home. 

  • Is Your Home “Baby-Proof?”
    Source: Oregon Health and Science University

    Protect your baby from unnecessary injury; check your home for these safety hazards. This checklist focuses on infants and young toddlers. 

  • United States Consumer Product Safety Commission
    Source: United States Consumer Product Safety Commission

    The commission provides many free safety resources including alerts, posters, brochures, handbooks, and other materials that you can use to help spread consumer product safety information in your community. 

  • The opinions, resources, and referrals provided on the IEL Web site are intended for informational purposes only and are not intended to take the place of medical or legal advice, or of other appropriate services. We encourage you to seek direct local assistance from a qualified professional if necessary before taking action.

About this resource

Setting(s) for which the article is intended:
  • Home

Intended audience(s):
  • Parents / Family

Age Levels (the age of the children to whom the article applies):
Reviewed: 2020
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