Babyproof your home: Essential safety tips for new parents

Topping furniture is one of the biggest risks!

Before your baby starts to move around is a good time to babyproof your home. Toppling furniture is one of the biggest risks for our little ones once they start exploring.

Did you know? Toppling furniture has killed at least 28 people in Australia since 2000 and causes around 20 injuries per week. Children under 5 are most at risk – but there are easy ways for parents and carers to reduce the likelihood of it happening in their home.

Babyproofing your home is serious business that will provide peace of mind. Toppling furniture can result in:

• broken or dislocated bones
• head and brain injuries
• crush injuries
• suffocation
• asphyxiation (loss of oxygen).

Here, we get expert advice from the ACCC on simple ways you can keep your child safe at home.

How to babyproof your home

One of the old school ways to check out risks to your child’s safety, is to get down on the floor, to their level, and see what they can see. Look at where they will soon be able to reach and what they will touch or possibly pull down upon themselves.

As well as heavier items of furniture falling and causing broken bones or crush injuries, there are many smaller hazards that may result in trapped fingers, burns and falls.

Babyproof your home once your baby starts moving around

Babyproofing your home is crucial as soon as your baby begins to move around independently. This typically occurs between 6 to 12 months, when babies enter infancy and start crawling or rolling over. Once your baby begins exploring, it’s important to ensure your home is safe to avoid accidents.

At what age should you babyproof your house?

• Age range: Babyproof your home when your baby is around 6-12 months old, as they begin crawling, rolling, or pulling themselves up.
• Movement milestones: Pay attention to milestones like crawling, cruising (walking along furniture), or standing – this is when most safety concerns arise.
• Create safe zones: Set up baby-safe play areas to encourage exploration while minimising hazards.
• Essential safety measures: Install safety gates, corner protectors, secure heavy furniture, and lock away dangerous items like cleaning supplies.

1. Position your furniture

For larger pieces of furniture in your home like a TV cabinet or shelving unit, choose an even surface so the item is stable. Rugs and softer floorings can make pieces of furniture unstable. Carpet and rugs against the wall can bunch up under a unit , for example, and make it wobbly, so check that this isn’t an issue.

Safety checklist:

• Ensure furniture is placed on an even surface (e.g., hardwood or tile flooring).
• Avoid placing furniture on soft surfaces (e.g., carpets or rugs) that could cause instability.
• Check that rugs or carpets are not bunched up under the furniture, as this can make the piece wobbly.

2. Secure your furniture

Anchoring or securing furniture to the wall or floor is a reliable way to reduce the risk of furniture falling onto your little one as they explore the world they live in.

If your furniture doesn’t come with anchors, check out your local baby goods store or homeware shop where they’ll be able to guide you depending on the wall and/or flooring type.

Remember, this also applies to your little one’s nursery or play room. To prevent accidents ensure wardrobes and/or chests of drawers are properly secured.

If you’re renting, talk to your real estate agent about using anchors in the property. There are laws in place in WA, NSW and Victoria that support tenants’ right to secure furniture for safety reasons.

Safety checklist:

Checklist:

• Anchor large pieces of furniture, especially in high-traffic areas like living rooms or kids’ rooms.
• If your furniture doesn’t come with anchors, purchase furniture safety straps or brackets from a local baby goods or homeware store.
• Secure wardrobes, chests of drawers, and shelves in your little one’s nursery or playroom.
• For renters, check with your real estate agent about using anchors to secure furniture.
  

3. Attach your TV

If you have a new TV, it will likely come with anchor straps so you can attach it to the wall or TV unit. If your TV is older and doesn’t have anchor straps, you can buy these from a baby goods or hardware store. Choose a spot for your TV that’s stable and low to the ground.

Do not put your TV on furniture that isn’t fit for purpose as it may increase the risk of an accident. For example, a TV on a small chest of drawers poses a risk as a pulled-out drawer can be used as a step to climb up or it might make the unit unstable and the TV more likely to topple over.

Wall mounting might also be an option, however you might need to get a tradesperson’s help.

Safety checklist:

Safety checklist:

• Use anchor straps to secure your TV to the wall or TV unit.
• Ensure the TV is placed on a stable, low-to-the-ground surface to reduce the risk of it falling.
• Avoid placing your TV on furniture not designed to support it, like a small chest of drawers, which can be unstable.
• If unsure, consider professional installation for wall mounting your TV to ensure it is securely attached.

4. Lock the cupboard doors

Consider locking wardrobes and cupboard doors in your child’s bedroom or anywhere they might spend time alone. This will prevent kids from using the drawers to climb up, getting trapped inside, as well as fingers getting squished. Locks for the fridge, toilets and kitchen cupboards may also reduce risks.

Safety checklist:

• Install childproof locks on wardrobe and cupboard doors in areas your child frequents.
• Ensure kitchen, bathroom, and pantry cupboards are childproofed to avoid access to hazardous items.
• Use childproof locks on the fridge and toilets to prevent accidents and avoid messes.
• Regularly check locks to make sure they are functioning properly and your child cannot bypass them.