Get down to child's level and reassess regularly

See your home the way your child does by crawling through every room they can access. This hands-and-knees perspective reveals hazards adults overlook from standing height, such as small objects on the floor, dangling cords, sharp corners at face level, and wobbly furniture a toddler might grab to pull up on.

Why It Works

Children interact with the environment differently at each developmental stage. A six-month-old explores by mouthing; a two-year-old climbs and opens drawers. A single walkthrough is not enough because hazards change as abilities change.

Tips

• Repeat the crawl-through every few months and after any room rearrangement
• Test all latches, gates, and covers during each check to confirm they still hold securely
• Watch for newly reachable hazards as your child grows taller or learns to climb