How to childproof stairs, windows, outlets and cabinets
To childproof a house, screw a wall-mounted gate to the top of each staircase, stop windows from opening more than 4 inches, latch cabinets holding medicines and cleaners, cover outlets and switch to cordless blinds. Do it room by room, starting with bedrooms and stairs, before your child starts exploring the new house.
What you need to childproof a house
Match each device to the hazard, using CPSC's list as your shopping guide.
| Hazard | What to buy | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Stairs | Wall-mounted safety gate for the top; a gate for the bottom | Meets current standards. Not a pet gate. Not an old gate with V-shaped openings that can trap a child's head or neck. |
| Windows | Window stops or window guards | Openings of 4 inches or less. Adults can open guards fast in a fire. |
| Cabinets and drawers | Safety latches and locks | Fit every spot with medicines, detergent, cleaners, matches, lighters or knives. |
| Outlets | Outlet covers or plates | Hard for a child to remove and too big to choke on. |
| Blind cords | Cordless coverings, ideally certified Best for Kids | Replace older corded coverings where you can. |
| Hot water | Anti-scald devices on faucets and shower heads | Set the water heater to 120°F or lower. |
| Off-limits rooms | Door knob covers or door locks | Sturdy, and quick for an adult to open in an emergency. |
If you can't replace corded blinds yet, the Window Covering Safety Council offers a free repair kit at 800-506-4636.
Where to childproof a house first
A used home brings hazards that the seller never had to think about, so check these spots first.
- Top of the stairs: use a gate screwed into the wall. CPSC says only wall-mounted gates belong there, because a pressure gate can give way when a child leans on it.
- Upper-floor windows: start in bedrooms, as CPSC advises. Open from the top when possible, and move beds and dressers away from the glass so climbing isn't tempting.
- Near windows in general: move cribs and beds away from blinds and cords, preferably to a different wall.
- Every room's escape route: keep at least one window per room usable for getting out in a fire. A window stop or guard must not make this impossible.
- Under sinks and in the garage: latch anything that holds cleaners or chemicals.
- Sharp furniture and fireplace edges: fit corner bumpers that stay attached.
If the house has a pool or spa, that's a separate job with bigger stakes. CPSC lists self-latching gates, fences, door alarms and power safety covers, and local rules on pool barriers vary, so check with your city or county.
How to childproof a house, room by room
- Walk the house at crawling height
Get down low in each room and note what a child can reach, pull or climb.
- Fit the stair gates
Screw a wall-mounted gate into the framing at the top. Check it latches every time.
- Secure the windows
Find every window that opens above ground level and fit a stop or guard so it can't open past 4 inches.
- Latch cabinets and drawers
Do these before you unpack medicines, cleaners, lighters and knives into them.
- Deal with outlets and cords
Cover unused outlets, and go cordless or order the free repair kit for blinds.
- Check the water temperature
Set the water heater at 120°F or lower. Stop and call a licensed plumber if the controls on a gas heater aren't clear.
- Save Poison Help
Add 1-800-222-1222 to every adult's phone and post it where a sitter can find it.
What babyproofing a house costs
| Item | What it costs | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gates, latches, covers, window stops | Varies; CPSC calls most relatively inexpensive | Count stairs, windows and cabinets before you shop |
| Blind repair kit | Free from the Window Covering Safety Council | A stopgap until you can go cordless |
| Cordless window coverings | Varies; CPSC says inexpensive options exist | The safer long-term choice |
| Tamper-resistant receptacles | Varies; electrician fee if you hire it out | Use these whenever you replace an outlet |
| Poison Help line | Free | 1-800-222-1222 |
Childproofing mistakes to avoid
- Treating a window screen as a barrier. CPSC says screens don't stop falls.
- Assuming child-resistant caps are enough. Those containers still need locking away.
- Using a pet gate for a child, or a hand-me-down gate of unknown age.
- Choosing outlet caps small enough to fit in a mouth.
- Forgetting to recheck. Guards and stops work loose, and CPSC says to check them often.
- Swapping receptacles without shutting off the circuit. If you're unsure, call a licensed electrician.
What homeowners say about childproofing
Make sure you have the small keys for interior privacy locks on bedroom and bathroom doors. A toddler can lock themselves in. If the seller didn't leave them, generic interior door keys are cheap online, and a straightened paper clip works in a pinch. (Reddit)
Baby gates, window stops and other questions
Can I use a pressure-mounted gate at the top of the stairs?
No. CPSC says to use only wall-mounted gates at the top of stairs. Keep any pressure gate for spots where a fall isn't the risk.
How far can a window open with a child in the house?
CPSC says to limit openings to 4 inches or less with window stops or guards. Keep at least one window in each room usable for escape in a fire.
Are outlet covers or tamper-resistant outlets better?
Covers work now and need no wiring, as long as a child can't pull them out or choke on them. CPSC says to use tamper-resistant receptacles whenever you replace outlets.
Sources: CPSC, windowcoverings.org
General guidance for U.S. homes, not professional advice. For gas, electrical and structural work, call a licensed pro.