How do I baby proof my house? my baby is now crawling.

What the evidence says

Once your baby can crawl, they can reach things that used to be safe. The Canadian Paediatric Society suggests getting down on your hands and knees and looking at each room the way your baby sees it. This helps you spot things like cords, small objects, or open outlets you might otherwise miss.

Stairs and falls are a top concern. Put safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs, screwed into the wall studs rather than pressure-mounted, since pressure gates can be pushed over. Avoid old-style accordion gates entirely, because a baby's arm or neck can get caught in the V-shaped gaps.

Furniture tip-overs are a serious but often overlooked danger. Health Canada reports that most television tip-over injuries happen to children between one and three years old. Anchor dressers, bookcases, and TVs to the wall with brackets or straps, and keep heavy items in lower drawers so furniture does not become top-heavy.

Lock up anything small, sharp, or poisonous. This includes medicines, cleaning products, knives, and button batteries or magnets, which can cause serious harm if swallowed. Put safety covers on plugs, tie up blind and curtain cords out of reach, and keep plastic bags away from your baby since they can cause suffocation.

Water is another quiet danger. A baby can drown in a very small amount of water, so never leave your baby alone near a bathtub, bucket, or paddling pool, even for a moment. Gates and locks help, but Canadian guidance is clear that watching your baby closely is still the best way to prevent injury.