As your baby starts to move around more, you’ll probably need to up your level of babyproofing. So, keep bubba safe with our month-by-month checklist in his first year and beyond.

0 to 6 months

• So that your newborn’s trip home from the hospital is safe, buckle bubba into a rear-facing car seat. Though you might be tempted to take her out to soothe her when she fusses, she is safest when she’s strapped securely.
• Make sure your little one has a safe place to sleep by ensuring that her crib mattress is firm and fits snugly into the cot to prevent suffocation.
• While showroom-worthy cribs often have beautiful bumpers and fluffy covers, these are unsafe for your baby. Also, remove all pillows and stuffed animals.
• Since you’ve spend considerable thought (and money!) on buying baby products, make sure to use them properly. Always buckle your baby into her stroller, bouncer or baby carrier. Never leave your little one unattended on a changing table or in a bath tub, no matter how little water there is.

6 to 12 months

• Grabby hands alert! That little baby who used to only be able to “lie there” is now crawling, as well as sitting and pulling himself up. Do keep anything that could burn him or items he could choke on well out of reach.
• Cover electrical sockets and hide electrical cords and wires behind heavy furniture. Ensure that furniture like tall lamps and cabinets are well tethered to prevent a toppling-over accident when your peewee uses them to pull himself up.
• Use childproofing equipment like safety gates to keep your mini-explorer from danger zones like staircases and the kitchen, or a baby monitor if you need to be in a different room.
• Once your baby becomes mobile and starts to crawl, fasten cushioned pads and corners to sharp edges, such as coffee tables and TV consoles. These will minimise bruising if your cherub crashes into them.

Junior’s about to take his first steps so, it’s time to up your “safety” game…read on!

12 to 18 months

• Now that your tot is taking her first steps, she may also start to clamber onto furniture, so make sure to install grilles on your windows and balconies. Lock the doors to your home, so she won’t be able to wander outside on her own.
• As she can now pull herself up easily in her crib, lower the mattress to the bottom-most level, so she won’t be able to climb out of bed in the middle of the night.
• Make sure she plays safely by offering only age-appropriate toys. Those toy cars your older nephew is playing with may have little parts that could get dislodged and choke a younger child. Inspect the toys regularly to make sure no loose pieces could pose a choking hazard.
• Check all your electrical appliances at home. Your refrigerator and oven should have a baby-latch, and get a washing machine or dryer that has a child-lock feature.

18+ months

• As your mini-me heads towards the 2-year mark, she’ll probably love playing outdoors. Apply a sunblock of at least SPF15 on her regularly. Encourage her to take breaks in the shade and also stay hydrated by chugging plenty of water.
• If she is playing in the garden, be sure that she keeps away from lawn mowers, as well as other gardening tools and barbecue grills.
• Always supervise your child if there is a pool of water in the vicinity, no matter how shallow it seems. Studies have shown that babies and young children can drown in as little as 2.5cm of standing water.
• Keen supervision is key. All children need to be watched in the water, no matter what their swimming-skill levels are, and even if they are using a flotation device.

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