Stair and Hallway Safety

Even though we're just passing through these areas, they should be childproofed too! Falls from stairs are especially dangerous, so be sure to install gates before or as soon as your child starts crawling.

• Be sure to install a gate at the top of each stairway to prevent falls. Never use a pressure-fit gate at the top of the stairs, but rather a gate that can be mounted with hardware.


• A child only needs to fall from a few stairs to be seriously injured, so be sure to use a gate at the bottom of the stairs as well. It's OK to teach your child how to climb the stairs but she should only do so when you're right behind her, every step of the way. Use a hardware-mounted or pressure-fit gate at the bottom of the stairs.


• Cover all outlets in the hallway to prevent an electrical shock.


• Lock any closets that may contain dangerous items, such as dry cleaning bags which pose a suffocation hazard, cleaning supplies, medicines, etc.


• If there is a balcony on the second floor of your home and the banisters are spaced too widely apart (more than 3"), be sure to cover the balcony to prevent falls.