One moment your baby is lying happily on a playmat, and the next they are crawling towards the TV stand. Around six to ten months, most babies start exploring, and suddenly your home looks completely different. The good news is that with a few smart adjustments, you can make most of your home safe without it feeling like a fortress.
A handy trick to get started: get down on your hands and knees and crawl through your home. What do you see at your child's eye level? What can you grab, open, or pull down? You are guaranteed to discover things you would never notice while standing.
Living room
- Cover plug sockets. Little fingers and objects fit perfectly into the holes. Make sure to secure the plug sockets at crawling height.
- Tidy away cables. A lamp or charger cable is an open invitation to pull.
- Anchor cupboards and the TV. Secure tall cabinets and the TV to the wall so they cannot topple over if your child pulls themselves up on them.
- Sharp corners. A coffee table is right at head height for a child just learning to stand. Corner protectors will help.
- Small objects. Anything that fits through a toilet roll tube can disappear into a little mouth. Think of button cell batteries, coins, and toys belonging to older siblings.
Kitchen
- Store cleaning products, dishwasher tablets, and medicines up high or behind a cupboard lock.
- Turn pan handles towards the back and preferably cook on the back rings of the hob.
- Watch out for cables from the kettle and other appliances hanging over the edge.
Bathroom
- Never leave your child alone in the bath, not even for a second. Grab everything you need before you start.
- Keep razors, hairdryers, and medicines out of reach.
- A non-slip mat in and next to the bath prevents slipping.
Nursery and bedroom
- Keep the cot empty: no pillows, duvets, or soft toys while your baby is still small.
- Do not place the cot directly under a window or next to curtain and blind cords.
- The nursery often has plug sockets at a low height too, for example for a night light or baby monitor.
Stairs and hallway
- Place a stair gate at the top and bottom of the stairs, and keep them closed. VeiligheidNL lists this as one of the four most important measures.
- Keep the front door and internal doors closed, and watch out for doors that slam shut quickly on little fingers.
Tip: count how many plug sockets you want to secure beforehand. In an average home, this can easily be more than twenty, especially if you include the bedrooms. A larger set is often more cost-effective than two small ones.
Why use plug socket covers with adhesive strips?
Our plug socket covers are secured with strong 3M adhesive strips. You can fit them in seconds, without any tools, and they stay firmly in place. When you no longer need them, you can remove them without leaving any sticky residue. They are designed for standard Dutch plug sockets and feature a discreet white design, so they hardly stand out.
Frequently asked questions
When should you start childproofing?
Ideally before your child starts crawling. This way, you have everything sorted when their first expeditions begin, and you won't be playing catch-up.
Do I need to secure all plug sockets?
Start with all the plug sockets at crawling and walking height in the rooms your child spends time in. Plug sockets hidden behind heavy furniture are less urgent.
A safe home does not mean your child can no longer discover things. On the contrary: once the biggest risks are removed, you can relax a bit more and your little one can explore freely.
Sources
- Hulpmiddelen voor een kindveilig huis, VeiligheidNL
- De 4 van Veilig Ontdekken, VeiligheidNL
Alle bronnen geraadpleegd op .
