How to secure your home ready for a baby

SimpliSafe’s aim is to help ensure home security and safety at all times, for all the family. Preparing for a baby is a special, yet anxiety-inducing process. This is why we encourage new parents to prepare a security checklist before bringing their little one home for the first time, so that these early moments can be cherished without worry. 

Baby monitor

When preparing your home for a baby, we recommend installing a baby monitor in their room, and a home security camera can be handy to keep a watchful eye too. Whether these are used for nap times or bedtime, if you were to opt for our indoor security camera, it comes complete with night vision so that you can tend to your baby’s needs, regardless of the hour. 

Cot safety 

When getting your baby’s bedroom ready, make sure that the cot you choose adheres to British safety standards (BSEN716), to keep your little one both comfortable and safe. To prevent your baby from getting trapped or falling out, check the distance between the top of the mattress to the top of the cot, which should be at least 50cm. Cots will often have decorative cut out shapes too, so check these thoroughly, along with the distance between vertical bars, to ensure that no limbs can get caught. 

Hand-me-down cots, toys, blankets and mattresses are a great cost-effective and sustainable alternative, but these are the items that should be checked the most thoroughly. As they will have been subjected to wear and tear, it’s possible that loose parts, old paint, or damage to the material could become a serious safety hazard. 

Smoke safety

Fire safety is always important. Make sure that you have working smoke detectors to secure your home ready for a baby. 

Electrical hazards

Take a look at your home from the point of view of your baby, rather than at your own height. There are so many risks that you may not have even considered, so although it may make you feel ridiculous, it’s a good idea to get on your hands and knees and crawl at their level. Are there any sockets that could easily be pulled out? Or any heat appliances easily within reach? A plug socket can be an intriguing place for little fingers, so remove the risk of harm with plug socket covers. 

Furniture hazards

When your baby transitions from crawling to toddling, it’s inevitable that they will use the nearest furniture item to pull themselves up - which may be an accident waiting to happen. Start securing your home early to avoid any bumps; you could do this by softening sharp edges with bubble wrap or soft guards. 

It’s a well known fact that babies love to grab things, so move any easily breakable items away from furniture edges to prevent the risk. Similarly, remove any delicate items that could become a potential choking hazard from reach. 

If you would like to upgrade your home’s security, you can build your own bespoke SimpliSafe system here.