Your essential checklist for baby-proofing your home

By AAMI 18 September 2023

Whether the baby is on the way or already sleeping in the nursery, it's never too late to think about making your home safer for your little one. There can be hidden hazards in almost all of the rooms in your home — so we've compiled a comprehensive baby-proofing checklist to help you stay one step ahead of your curious little explorer.

Your home is where you and your family should feel safe… so it’s important to minimise hazards at home.

While you probably can’t guarantee a cyclone proof house or a flood proof house, there are a few things you can do to help reduce hazards at home.

Here are a few things that may help make your home more fireproof by reducing the risk of fire damage:

Always pay full attention when cooking.

Regularly inspect your chimney and electrical systems…

Always ensure you have working smoke alarms in the house.

To help reduce the risk of damage caused by bushfires to your home and family

Clean your gutters regularly, consider installing fire resistant gutter guards, cut back overhanging branches, and check your garden hose can reach your property boundaries

Remember to have a survival plan ready You can take measures to help prepare reduce the risks of flood damage

Clean gutters and downpipes regularly

Repair loose roof tiles or other damage to the roof

Have sand bags in case your area does flood

And DON’T Use electrical or gas appliances affected by floodwater, until they’ve been checked

Other household hazards include poisoning.

Carbon monoxide poisoning from fossil fuel burning appliances is another hazard.

Consider Installing a carbon monoxide detector.

Ingesting cleaning supplies or medications is another safety hazard. Keep chemicals and medications stayed safely away from children.

Water can be hazardous. Especially so for young children.

It only takes 20 seconds for a toddler to drown. Supervise young children around water at all times.

In Victoria, all swimming pools and spas capable of containing 30cm depth of water must have a compliant safety barrier. It’s important to be prepared for earthquakes.

Make sure to fasten tall furniture to walls

Store hazardous material safely away

And don’t store heavy objects on tall shelves or hang heavy items over beds or sofas.

This is by no means an exhaustive list.

Conduct your own research and conduct a risk assessment of your home.

And if you’re looking for cover for insured event like a fire or earthquake, you can find out more about AAMI’s combined Home and Contents Insurance.

Save $50 when you quote and buy online.

Head to aami.com.au for more info or find the link below! The information is intended to be of general nature only. We do not accept any legal responsibility for any loss incurred as a result of reliance upon it – please make your own enquiries.

What insurance do I need for my family home?

It's worth thinking about getting an appropriate cover in place for your family home in case of unforeseen circumstances.

What if your fridge's motor stops working due to motor burnout and causes food spoilage? Or a fixed pipe bursts and the escaping liquid floods the nursery?

AAMI Home & Contents Insurance policies provide cover for both of those scenarios and more. We also offer an optional Accidental Damage at Home cover (at an additional cost) on Home & Contents, Building Only, and Contents Only Insurance for those accidental spills and dropping or knocking over of belongings for when your little ones start walking and running around.

Get an AAMI Home & Contents Insurance quote

How to baby-proof bedroom & nursery

Your baby will most likely spend a lot of their time in their room or the bedroom they share with you, so it's vital to make sure their environment is safe and secure:

Lower the crib's mattress support to prevent escapes and ensure it aligns with the crib legs, leaving no gaps.
Keep the cot clear of bumpers, cushions, and baby toys.
Move the cot away from windows, lamps, and wall art, and secure any blinds, curtains, or cords away from the cot.
Ensure that there are no objects or furniture with sharp edges next to the crib.
Anchor furniture to the walls — such as dressers, bookshelves, and bedside tables.
Consider investing in a secure baby monitor to keep an eye on your little one when they're asleep.

How to baby-proof bathroom & laundry

You'll most likely be supervising your baby when they're in the bathroom, but just to be safe, consider taking the following preventative measures:

Keep medicines, cosmetics, cleaning supplies and other hazardous materials locked away securely.
Dispose of used makeup, razors, and other sharp items in a bin with a childproof lid.
Install safety latches on all low cabinets and drawers, and finger-pinch guards on doors.
Install a toilet lock and keep toilet fresheners out of reach.
Place a non-slip bathmat or bathtub stickers in the bottom of the bathtub for extra grip.
Add outlet covers on electrical outlets in the bathroom.
Consider investing in a hot water tempering valve for taps and shower heads, if not installed already.

How to baby-proof kitchen

Your kitchen may contain the most hidden dangers for your baby, and in many open-plan homes the kitchen can't be shut off from the rest of the house. To ensure your little one's safety and well-being, think about making these changes:

Install safety latches on all cabinets and drawers.
Move matches, knives, scissors, and other sharp objects out of reach.
Place locks on the fridge and oven doors and install stove knob covers.
Move cleaning supplies into high cupboards or locked drawers.
Use placemats instead of a tablecloth on your dining table.
Unplug small kitchen appliances when not in use.

How to baby-proof living room

Keep your baby's playtime space safe and relaxing by making a few, slight changes to your living room:

Mount your TV to the wall, if possible, or secure it to your TV stand.
Consider investing in corner cushions for low furniture with sharp edges.
Keep cords and cables away from areas where your little one might reach them.
Put up safety gates at the top and bottom of any stairs and any parts of the hallway where required.
Position tall or unsteady lamps behind furniture.
If you have a fireplace, think about investing in a safety screen.

How to baby-proof outdoor areas

It can be very exciting for your little one to explore the backyard, but before you take them outside consider taking these safety precautions:

Keep garden tools like rakes and shovels stored away in your garage or shed if possible. Make sure your garage and shed are securely locked.
Ensure the fence surrounding your yard and pool — if you have one — is well-maintained.
Double-check if any of your outdoor plants are potentially toxic and remove them if required.
Secure your outdoor furniture so it won't topple over if a child climbs on it.
Install all playground equipment according to safety guidelines and regularly inspect for damage or wear and tear.

By taking the time to organise your insurance and implement these baby-proofing tips, you're well on your way to creating a safe and comfortable environment for your family.

AAMI Insurance is issued by AAI Limited ABN 48 005 297 807 trading as AAMI. This advice has been prepared without taking into account your particular objectives, financial situation or needs, so you should consider whether it is appropriate for you before acting on it. Please read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement before you make any decision regarding this product. The Target Market Determination is also available.

The information is intended to be of general nature only. Subject to any rights you may have under any law, we do not accept any legal responsibility for any loss or damage, including loss of business or profits or any other indirect loss, incurred as a result of reliance upon the information. Please make your own enquiries.