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Yesterday they rolled over. Tomorrow they’ll find the stairs.
8 babyproofing must-haves to install before your little one starts crawling.
You turn around for two seconds, and the baby who stayed exactly where you put them is suddenly across the room, pulling on a cabinet door.
The good news: a weekend afternoon and a few simple products cover the biggest risks. Do it now, before you need it.
🍼 Install these three first
Most babies start crawling somewhere around 6 to 10 months, and pulling up on furniture soon after. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends anchoring furniture and TVs and using safety gates, latches and outlet covers.
Top 3 safety picks compared
Best for: Top of stairs
Why it stands out: Screws into the wall, won’t push out
Keep in mind: Takes a few minutes to install
Best for: Every dresser, bookshelf and TV
Why it stands out: Prevents tip-overs
Keep in mind: Find wall studs for the strongest hold
Best for: Under-sink cabinets and knife drawers
Why it stands out: Invisible from outside
Keep in mind: Keep the magnet key out of reach
8 babyproofing must-haves
🏆 Stairs first#1Hardware-mounted baby gate
For the top of the stairs, use a gate that screws into the wall.
A hardware-mounted gate designed for the top of stairs, including angled installs.
- Hardware-mounted for the top of stairs
- JPMA certification
- A door that swings away from the stairs
- Sturdy and secure
- Walk-through door for adults
- Your home has no stairs. For doorways, a pressure-mounted gate is enough.
💡 Pro tip: Install it at the very top step with the gate swinging away from the stairs, and recheck the screws every few months.
Check our pick →or see baby gates
🔒 Under-sink safety#2Magnetic cabinet locks
Invisible from outside, keeps cleaners out of reach.
Magnetic locks that install inside cabinets with adhesive, so nothing shows outside.
- Works with your cabinet thickness
- Adhesive or screw mounting
- Keep the magnet key somewhere kids can’t reach
- No visible hardware
- Adults open with a magnet key
- You move all cleaners and medicines up high anyway. Still worth it for drawers with knives.
💡 Pro tip: Let the adhesive set for the full time on the package, often 24 hours, before you test the lock.
Check our pick →or see cabinet locks
⚡ Tiny fingers#3Outlet covers
Cheap, quick and one of the first things to do.
Simple, inexpensive plugs that cover unused outlets.
- Hard for small fingers to remove
- Self-closing covers for outlets you use often
- Buy enough for every reachable outlet
- Install in seconds
- Self-closing options for outlets you use
- Your home already has tamper-resistant outlets.
💡 Pro tip: Don’t forget outlets behind furniture, in the bathroom and near the crib.
Check our pick →or see outlet covers
🧱 Most overlooked#4Furniture and TV anchors
Dressers and TVs can tip when kids climb or pull on them.
Straps that secure dressers, bookshelves and TVs to the wall.
- Straps rated for your furniture’s weight
- Screw into wall studs when possible
- Anchor the TV too
- Simple straps
- Works with most furniture
- Your dressers, shelves and TV are already bolted to the wall.
💡 Pro tip: Use a stud finder. Drywall anchors alone may not hold a heavy dresser.
Check our pick →or see anchor kits
🛡️ Soften the edges#5Corner and edge guards
Coffee tables and fireplace edges sit right at toddler head height.
Soft guards that cover sharp table and fireplace corners.
- Clear or color-matched
- Strong adhesive
- Soft but dense material
- Clear or colored options
- Easy to install
- Your furniture already has rounded edges.
💡 Pro tip: Clean the edge with rubbing alcohol first so the guards stay put.
Check our pick →or see corner guards
📹 Peace of mind#6Video baby monitor
See and hear your baby from the next room.
A non-Wi-Fi video monitor with a dedicated screen, popular for its simple, private connection.
- Wi-Fi vs. dedicated screen (no app needed)
- Night vision
- Battery life on the parent unit
- Night vision
- Two-way talk on many models
- You’re in the same room most of the time.
💡 Pro tip: Keep the camera and its cord at least 3 feet away from the crib.
Check our pick →or see video monitors
🪟 Hidden hazard#7Window blind cord wraps
Window cords are a strangulation risk for young kids.
Small wraps that keep blind cords short and out of reach.
- Keeps cords well above reach
- Works with your blind type
- Consider switching to cordless blinds
- Keeps cords up and out of reach
- Inexpensive
- Your blinds are already cordless.
💡 Pro tip: Cordless blinds are the safest choice for homes with young children.
Check our pick →or see cord wraps
🚪 Pinched fingers#8Door finger pinch guards
Stops doors from slamming shut on little fingers.
A soft guard that slides over a door to stop it from closing on little fingers.
- Fits your door thickness
- Easy on and off
- Bright color so adults remember to remove it
- No tools needed
- Move from door to door
- Your doors close slowly or stay open.
💡 Pro tip: Start with bathroom and bedroom doors. They’re the ones that get closed most.
Check our pick →or see door guardsThe crawl-height check
Get down on the floor
Crawl through each room at baby height. You’ll spot cords, outlets and small objects you never noticed.
Start with the biggest risks
Stairs, furniture that can tip, cleaners and medicines, cords, and water. Then work down the list.
Re-check as they grow
Once they pull up and climb, check higher shelves and anything they could stand on.
Babyproofing mistakes parents often make
- ❌ Using a pressure-mounted gate at the top of the stairs.
- ❌ Anchoring the dresser but forgetting the TV.
- ❌ Babyproofing the living room and forgetting the bathroom and garage.
Important: babyproofing products help but never replace supervision. Keep the Poison Help number, 1-800-222-1222, in your phone. In an emergency, call 911.
Quick picks by room
| Room | Start with |
|---|---|
| Stairs | Hardware-mounted gate (top), gate (bottom) |
| Kitchen | Cabinet locks, outlet covers |
| Living room | TV anchor, corner guards, cord wraps |
| Nursery | Furniture anchors, video monitor |
Quick answers
When should I start babyproofing?
Before your baby starts crawling, often around 6 months.
What matters most?
Stairs, anchoring furniture and TVs, and locking away cleaners and medicines.
Can I use a pressure gate at the top of stairs?
No. Use a hardware-mounted gate there.
Start with the stairs and furniture anchors.
Back to the top three ↑General information only. Follow product instructions and safety guidance from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. How we choose: we did not test these products ourselves. Picks are based on product features, brand reputation, independent reviews and public guidance. Amazon prices and listings change. Photos: Unsplash and our library, illustrations only.