Graham FisherBy Graham Fisher

Every home contains hazards that can injure a curious toddler. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) points to falls, poisonings, burns, drowning and tip-overs as common risks, and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) reminds families that certain safety rules apply to every room. Choosing childproofing products that match the specific hazards in your home and your child’s age and abilities is a practical way to reduce those risks. This guide walks you through what to look for, room by room and hazard by hazard, so you can select devices that are sturdy, labeled for current safety standards and appropriate for a child between about 1 and 4 years old.

Before you buy: Check for recalls, avoid pet gates, and remember that no device replaces supervision.

Start with the hazards in your home

The CPSC’s childproofing guide lists several safety devices that can help reduce injuries, but the first step is to identify which dangers exist in your own rooms. The AAP encourages families to look at every room from a child’s point of view, checking floors for small objects, inspecting furniture for stability and making sure windows and doors are secure. Once you know where the risks are, you can match products to those specific hazards.

For a broader look at room-by-room planning, see our toddler-proofing guide. The Safety Equipment Guides section also offers installation and maintenance advice once you have chosen your products.

Safety gates: never substitute a pet gate

Falls down stairs are a serious risk for toddlers who are learning to crawl and walk. The CPSC says to use safety gates that meet current child safety standards, and it warns that pet gates should never be used as a child safety gate. Older safety gates with “V” shapes large enough to entrap a child’s head and neck should be replaced. Look for gates that children cannot dislodge easily, but that adults can open and close without difficulty. For the top of stairs, only use gates that screw to the wall. The AAP similarly advises using gates firmly mounted to the home’s studs and avoiding accordion-style gates, which can trap an arm or a neck.

Explore gate options in our safety gates overview.

Latches, locks and cabinet safety

Kitchens, bathrooms and other areas often store medicines, cleaning products, knives and sharp objects. The CPSC recommends safety latches and locks on cabinets and drawers to help prevent poisonings and other injuries. Even products with child-resistant packaging should be locked away, because that type of packaging is not childproof. The CPSC advises looking for latches and locks that adults can easily install and use, but that are sturdy enough to withstand pulls and tugs from children. The AAP adds that all cabinets containing cleaning fluids or other dangerous items should have safety locks, and that medications, including those carried in a purse, must be kept out of reach.

If you suspect a child has ingested a poisonous substance, contact the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222. For more on securing cabinets, see cabinet locks and our poison prevention page.

Anchor furniture and TVs to prevent tip-overs

Furniture, televisions and ranges can tip over and crush young children. The CPSC notes that deaths and injuries occur when children climb onto, fall against or pull themselves up on items like television stands, shelves, bookcases, dressers, desks, chests and ranges. The agency recommends anchoring these products to the floor or attaching them to a wall. Free-standing ranges and stoves should be installed with anti-tip brackets. The AAP also tells families to check furniture for stability and tip-over risk, keep computers out of reach, and anchor bookcases, dressers and TV stands to the wall.

Learn about anchoring hardware in our furniture anchors guide.

Window coverings and window guards

Window covering cords can strangle a child. The CPSC advises using cordless window coverings in homes with young children. If you cannot replace corded coverings, the Window Covering Safety Council offers a free repair kit; you can call 800-506-4636 or visit WindowCoverings.org. Tension devices can anchor continuous loops and bead chains to the floor or wall, but the CPSC notes that retrofit kits do not address the dangling pull cord hazard. Eliminate any dangling cords by making pull cords as short as possible. The AAP also says to avoid window coverings with cords, or to attach cords to floor mounts or wrap them around wall brackets.

For falls from windows, the CPSC recommends window guards and safety netting, because window screens are not effective for preventing falls. Limit window openings to four inches or less, including the space between guard bars. If you have window guards, be sure at least one window in each room can be easily used for escape in a fire. The AAP suggests opening windows from the top if possible, and installing operable window guards that only an adult or older child can open from the inside.

See our window safety page for more details.

Electrical outlets and cords

To help prevent electrical shock, the CPSC says to use outlet covers and outlet plates that cannot be easily removed by children and are large enough so that children cannot choke on them. If you are replacing receptacles, use a tamper-resistant type. The AAP recommends putting non-choking hazard safety plugs in all unused electrical outlets and keeping electrical cords out of reach and sight.

Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms

The CPSC states that smoke alarms should be installed on every level of the home, inside each bedroom and outside sleeping areas. Check smoke alarms once a month to make sure they are working, and change batteries at least once a year, or consider using sealed, 10-year batteries. Carbon monoxide (CO) alarms should be installed outside of bedrooms near each sleeping area, even if the home does not have fuel-burning appliances. The AAP also advises installing smoke and CO detectors on every level and outside bedrooms, checking them monthly, and if possible, installing networked smoke detectors so that when one alarms, they all alarm.

Water safety and burn prevention

Drowning can happen in moments. The CPSC emphasizes constant supervision during bath time and recommends using layers of protection with pools and spas. Doors leading to a pool should have self-closing, self-locking mechanisms or door alarms. Other barriers include power safety covers, pool alarms, self-closing and self-latching pool gates, isolation fences and pool covers. After each pool use, reestablish the barrier. To prevent scalds, the CPSC says the temperature on your water heater can be set to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or lower, and anti-scald devices for faucets and shower heads can also be used. The AAP adds that fireplaces, woodstoves, kerosene heaters and other heat sources should be screened so a child cannot get near them, and that gas fireplace glass doors get extremely hot and can cause severe burns.

For more on water hazards, visit our water safety page.

Toy safety and age recommendations

Safe Kids Worldwide urges parents and caregivers to carefully read age recommendations and warning labels when choosing a toy or game. For little kids, check for small parts and other choking hazards. The AAP reminds families to constantly check floors for small objects that can be dangerous if swallowed, such as coins, beads, buttons, pins and pills, and to be extra vigilant if older children have small toys.

Used and secondhand products: check recalls first

Buying a used child product can save money, but it also requires extra caution. The CPSC’s resellers guide emphasizes that sellers should ensure products meet all applicable safety requirements. The CPSC also states that selling recalled products is unlawful. Before you purchase any used item, search for recalls on the CPSC website and check SaferProducts.gov, where the public can file and read complaints about thousands of consumer products. The CPSC’s e-commerce team monitors websites for recalled and banned products and has them removed. If you find a recalled product for sale online, you can report it through SaferProducts.gov or call the CPSC at 800-638-2772.

For a deeper dive into recall checks and safety standards, see our recalls and standards page.

No device is completely childproof

The CPSC is clear: no device is completely childproof. Determined toddlers have been known to overcome or disable safety products. That is why supervision remains essential. Products reduce risk, but they do not eliminate it. For any injury, call 911. For possible poisoning, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222. Always consult your child’s pediatrician for medical advice.

For a complete walkthrough of choosing, installing and maintaining safety products, read our pillar article Child Safety Products: Choosing, Installing, Maintaining.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if a used product is safe?

Check the CPSC recall list and search SaferProducts.gov before you buy. The CPSC says selling recalled products is unlawful, and many online platforms prohibit it. If a product has been fixed with the remedy outlined in a public recall notice, it can be sold, but the listing should make that clear.

Can I use a pet gate instead of a child safety gate?

No. The CPSC explicitly states that pet gates should never be used as a child safety gate. Only use gates that meet current child safety standards and are designed to withstand a toddler’s force.

What should I do if a product I own is recalled?

Stop using it immediately and follow the remedy in the recall notice. You can report the issue through SaferProducts.gov. If you see a recalled product for sale online, you can also report it there or call the CPSC at 800-638-2772.

For more detailed guidance on selecting safety products, visit our Product Selection page.

Sources

Graham Fisher

About Graham Fisher

Graham Fisher is part of our editorial team and reviews and edits our childproofing guides, checking product details against manufacturer specifications and owner feedback.