3 Ways To Toddler-Proof Your Home

We’ve all heard of the terrible twos. As soon as your baby is able to walk, your home basically becomes their playground. Most toddlers learn about the world through touch and taste, which means everything you own is now a potential toy – and consequently, a potential hazard. Combined with the ever-present risk of a tantrum, your home is likely to endure a lot of strain as your baby grows up into a child.

So how can you turn your house into a space that will make this transition period as safe and easy as possible? We have three ways you can toddler-proof your home today.

1) Buy Sound-Proof Curtains

Sound-proof curtains serve a dual purpose if you’re the mom of a toddler. Not only do they block loud noise from outside, they also stop noise from your home being audible in the street. Look for a good quality pair that will reduce the level of noise both inside and outside, such as the ones listed on this page of the best sound-proofing curtains of 2020.

By hanging a pair in your toddler’s bedroom, you’ll be able to give them as much peace and quiet as possible during nap-time – which is especially important for toddlers who still nap frequently throughout the day, when your street is likely to be busy. Similarly, you’ll also be able to spare anyone walking past your house from the sounds of your toddler’s screams if they’re in the middle of throwing a tantrum!

2) Install a Stair Gate and Child Locks

It’s probably every mom’s worst nightmare: the idea of their toddler falling down the stairs. In fact, a report in 2012 found that nearly 100,000 American children under the age of five end up in the emergency room every year after injuring themselves on their stairs at home. That’s almost one child every six minutes.

By fitting a gate at the top and bottom of your stairs, you’ll be able to protect your child from any injuries, ensuring that the only way they’ll be going up or down is safely in your arms.

Another way to stop inquisitive toddlers from harming themselves accidentally is adding child locks onto your cabinets and rubber stoppers onto your doors. These will stop your child from opening drawers and cupboards that contain sharp objects such as tools or knives. Rubber stoppers, meanwhile, are designed to leave a small opening between the door and the door frame. This means little fingers can’t get trapped whenever the door is closed.

3) Cushion Sharp Corners On Your Furniture

Dining room tables, bed frames, TV cabinets – most of our favorite items of furniture have sharp corners that are right at our toddler’s head height. When a child is two years old, their skull is still in the process of fusing together (baby’s heads are made up of six separate bones). This means their heads are still quite delicate, and although most toddlers are prone to bumps and knocks, it’s always best to make sure your home is as safe as possible.

At most hardware stores, you can buy foam shapes of various sizes that are designed to slot over the sharp corners of your furniture. Alternatively, you can make your own custom cushions using foam or even an old pool noodle or float! This will protect your baby from hurting themselves if they run into anything while exploring.

If you need to toddler-proof your home, try out some of these tips to make a space that is safe, stimulating and sound-proof for your child!