At the HEED Coalition and The Basics Southcoast/RI, we believe that childproofing and safety are vital to protecting young children as they explore and learn about their world. The early years are marked by rapid movement, curiosity, and limited awareness of danger, making intentional safety planning an essential part of caregiving.
Childproofing and safety resources help families identify common household risks and take practical steps to reduce preventable injuries. From safe storage and secure furniture to water safety, choking prevention, and outdoor awareness, these measures support environments where children can explore with greater freedom and caregivers can respond with greater confidence.
The resources in this section of the Birth to Five Resource Guide are offered to provide guidance, education, and practical considerations related to creating safer home and community environments. Our hope is that these tools help caregivers think proactively about safety as children grow and reach new developmental stages.
These materials are informational in nature and are not intended to replace professional advice, safety inspections, or guidance from a physician, pediatrician, or other licensed clinical provider. Because every home and child is different, caregivers should consult qualified professionals when specific safety or medical concerns arise.
Safety is not about eliminating exploration, but about preparing for it. We hope these resources serve as a steady guide as you build secure spaces that support growth, curiosity, and well-being from birth to five.
As soon as your baby starts moving (rolling/crawling), begin childproofing. By the toddler stage, you want a whole-home safety plan in place with gates, locked cabinets, outlet covers, anchored furniture and working smoke/CO detectors.
Falls, drowning, poisoning, burns and motor-vehicle injuries are the big five for ages 1–4. Many can be prevented by environmental changes plus close supervision.
Yes—rear-facing is recommended as long as your child is within the seat’s height/weight limits. Always install the seat correctly in the back seat and use it for every ride, even short trips.
Use stove knob covers, keep pot handles turned in, lock cabinets with cleaners/knives, store heavy appliances out of reach, and supervise whenever the toddler is in the kitchen.
Call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 immediately. Do not make the child vomit unless directed by professionals. Have the container in hand when you call.
They can tip over and are not a substitute for adult supervision. Toddlers can drown in as little as 1–2 inches of water, so an adult needs to be right there, within arm’s reach.
Test monthly and replace batteries at least yearly, or when you “change the clocks.” Replace the devices according to manufacturer guidance (often every 7–10 years).
Yes. Toddlers climb dressers, bookshelves and TV stands; tip-overs can be fatal. Anchors and straps are inexpensive and significantly reduce this risk.
Do a quick walk-through on arrival: close doors to unsafe rooms, move breakables/cleaners up high, identify water hazards, and set a rule that your toddler stays where adults can see them. Bring a travel gate and outlet covers if possible.
Both. AAP emphasizes layers of protection—childproofing reduces hazards when your attention is pulled away for a moment, but no setup replaces active adult supervision.
Important Notice
The Birth to Five Resource Guide is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. By using this site, you acknowledge that you are accessing these materials voluntarily and at your own discretion.
The information shared here is not intended to replace professional medical, clinical, legal, or therapeutic advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your physician, pediatrician, or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding health, development, or medical conditions.
The HEED Coalition and The Basics Southcoast/RI make no representations or warranties regarding the completeness, accuracy, or applicability of the information provided and assume no liability for any decisions made or actions taken based on the use of this site.
Use of this site constitutes your acceptance of these terms.
