Guest Blogger: 5 Ways to Child-Proof Your Toddler’s Room

 Guest Blogger #986, Entry #2532, June 17, 2013

The terrible twos aren’t just a pithy maxim for the age at which toddlers suddenly discover that they are a separate entity from their parents (and that they’re capable of saying “no”). This age is often the beginning of a toddler’s desire to explore a world that is newly accessible thanks to the additional height provided by standing on their legs instead of crawling around the house. And if you take your eyes off them for even a second, it seems they’re headed for disaster every time. They’re either climbing something that isn’t secure, about to bring down an object from above, or they’re getting into something they shouldn’t. Of course, that’s not the half of it – just wait until you take them out into the world and let go of their hand for a second to count out change. You won’t be the first, or the last parent to lose a child in a store only to find him giggling in a clothing rack. But when you’re at home, and particularly when your tot is in his own room, you want to do what you can to ensure a sense of security. So here are just a few ways to child-proof your toddler’s bedroom.

Place a dutch door instead of a gate to prevent toddlers from wandering

Image via: Cozy Cottage Cute

1. Start with basics.

When your child goes from infant to toddler, big changes will happen. And you may want to turn the baby-centric nursery into a room more befitting a “big kid”. This could mean changing the flooring and walls. While your baby was more or less safe crawling on wooden flooring, you might want to add some carpeting to protect your wobbly walker from the bumps and bruises of slips and falls. And while you’re at it, consider organic-fiber carpeting that hasn’t been chemically treated and that is less likely to cause allergies (you can also get organic bedding and other linens). As for paint, you might want to opt for non-VOC (volatile organic compound) options since they won’t lead to potentially harmful, airborne toxins lingering in the interior air for years to come.

Create safe sleeping areas for your toddler and baby

Image via: Bella Mumma

2. Add furniture.

Once the crib is out and the new bed is in, you might belatedly realize that your toddler isn’t quite ready to sleep without a guard rail. So make sure he doesn’t tumble out by affixing one to the bed. As for drawers, cabinets, shelving units, and other large furnishings, you might want to strap them to the walls as a way to ensure that his climbing adventures don’t end up with furniture on top of him.

3. Secure outlets.

Outlets are right at toddler level in most homes, providing for a curiosity that’s impossible for most tots to resist. Since all you need are cheap, plastic covers to neutralize the very real threat of electrocution that outlets pose, there’s no reason you can’t easily provide yourself some peace of mind and keep your toddler safe.

Clever way to child proof outlets

 Image via: 11 Even

4. Baby gates and more.

If you thought you needed baby gates when your child started crawling, prepare yourself for double trouble now that he can walk. Of course, you might not need them so much in his room (unless you want to confine him to a safe play area while you shower). What you will need, though, is an equivalent for his windows, which he may now be able to reach and fall out of, especially if all that separates him from a two-story drop is a flimsy screen.

5. Additional pieces.

There are all kinds of extras in your toddler’s room, from decorative items like lamps and vases to toys and books from family and friends. While you can verify the relative safety of many items simply by checking a website, you might want to increase the overall safety of the room by utilizing stick-on Velcro strips to adhere small lamps and other items to surfaces. And you should definitely add toy bins or cubbies so that these small items aren’t underfoot, leading to trips and injuries.

For more kids’ ideas on Stagetecture, click here.