You should begin making your home safe for your baby before you even bring him or her home. Newborn babies are not that mobile so your basic goal is to make the house safe for human life and make sure anywhere the baby will be is safe for a baby.

First install carbon monoxide monitors and fire alarms or ensure your current one are working properly. Also, install or check your fire extinguisher and have a fire escape plan prepared. Secure all furniture so nothing will fall during a natural disaster. This also will come in handy later when your baby starts crawling and climbing on everything. Next, purchase a first aid kit or update your current one to include baby first aid items. Take an infant CPR class and have a visual aid ready in your home with instructions on how to perform infant CPR. This covers the basics of a safe home and ensures if something does happen you know how to handle it.

Be sure any items you’ve purchased for the baby are safe. Avoid toys with detachable parts or strings. Make sure your crib is no older than 1992, has a firm mattress, narrow bars, and is free of excess bedding, stuffed animals, etc.

The other place a newborn may become hurt in the tub. Adjust your water heater so it is no higher than 120 F or 48 C. Clean and sanitize your home and tub as needed. (Newborns have new and sometimes weak immune systems, especially in premature births.)

Once your baby begins to crawl and become mobile choking is your biggest hazard. Get down on your hands and knees and look around your home. If you see anything that could be dangerous, remove it. Be sure to keep a look out on a daily basis for small objects your baby could pick up and put into its mouth. Also when feeding your baby stick to objects that cannot be swallowed whole so the baby has to chew them, or items soft enough they don’t require chewing. Always check the temperature of foods before giving them to your baby.

Place outlet covers on all electrical outlets, wrap, and secure all electrical cords. If you have stairs, place baby safety gates at tops and bottoms. Place baby safe locks on cabinets and drawers, and the stove. Remove any dangling items from the baby’s reach such as window pull cords or tablecloths. Move any poisons or dangerous items to high locations well out of the baby’s reach. Check to be sure any household plants are not toxic if consumed. Move those that are well out of the baby’s reach. Basically, place yourself in a baby’s diaper and think about what you would get into and how you may be hurt and take preventive measures.