Child Proofing for Real Life: Safe, Organised Homes that Grow With Your Child
Because creating a safe home shouldn’t mean living in fear, or giving up your living room entirely.
Introduction: Let’s Talk About What “Child Proof” Really Means
Child proofing isn’t just about plug covers and stair gates, it’s about building a home environment where your child can safely explore and grow, and where you can feel confident and calm.
At Beyond Organising, we take a long-term, practical approach to child safety that works alongside your family’s daily routines. It’s not about doing everything at once, it’s about setting up the right systems to support your child through every stage, from crawling to cartwheels.
1. Start Early and Child Proof With the Future in Mind
The best time to start preparing your home is when you begin bringing in baby items, not after the baby arrives. In those final weeks of pregnancy, you might find your energy and mobility are limited. Once baby is here, life tends to get full, fast.
Early childproofing gives you time to:
Get used to new systems (like safety latches or relocated items)
Adjust your mental map of where things now live
Reduce the overwhelm when you're already juggling feeds and sleep
We often hear the term baby proofing, but babies don’t stay babies for long. Instead of reacting to each new milestone, set up your space to support your child through crawling, climbing, reaching and exploring. A proactive setup saves time, money, and a whole lot of stress down the track.
2. Check Products Meet Australian Safety Standards (Yes, Even If You Bought Them Here)
It’s easy to assume that anything sold in Australian stores is safe. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case.
Not all items on the market meet Australian safety standards, and many second-hand or gifted items don’t, either. Check the ACCC’s Product Safety website to make sure things like high chairs, cots, toys, and gates are actually safe for your little one.
When in doubt, look for:
Clear age and weight guidelines
A valid AS/NZS safety certification
Product recalls (searchable on the ACCC website)
3. Keep Chemicals in One Spot, and Way Out of Reach
Cleaning products, detergents, hand sanitiser and sprays should be stored together in one place—ideally high up, in a cupboard that locks or latches securely.
Many parents assume a basic cupboard lock is enough, but some are surprisingly easy to open with a bit of determination. Children are curious by nature. If they can reach it, they’ll try to open it—so set yourself up with a multi-layered approach.
4. Store Medications, Vitamins and Oils Like They’re Dangerous, Because They Can Be
It’s common to underestimate how risky “everyday” items can be. But many vitamins, particularly iron supplements, are toxic to children in even small doses. The same goes for some essential oils, melatonin, and natural remedies.
Store medications and supplements in a locked, high cabinet, never in handbags, fridges, or countertop pill organisers.
If you’re unsure what’s safe, chat to your GP or pharmacist.
5. Anchor Furniture and TVs, Even If Your Child Is Still Small
Children are stronger than we think, and the climbing phase can start before you expect it.
Any tall or heavy furniture - bookshelves, dressers, sideboards, and televisions - should be secured to the wall. This doesn’t need to be expensive or complicated. Anchor kits are affordable and available from most hardware stores.
It’s a small change that could prevent a major injury.
6. Get Down Low and Take a Look From Their Perspective
This one’s simple and surprisingly effective: sit or lie on the floor in each room and look around.
What can you see? If it’s visible, it’s likely reachable, or at least tempting. From dangling cords to decorative bowls, glass ornaments to phone chargers, your child is likely to explore anything at their level.
It’s not about perfection. It’s about being proactive and realistic.
7. Pack Away the Irreplaceable Things (Just for Now)
If you have sentimental, fragile or expensive items that you’d be heartbroken to lose, pack them away until your child is older.
This isn’t about hiding everything, it’s about removing stress from your day-to-day life. You’ll feel calmer knowing those precious things are safely stored, and you won’t be caught between correcting behaviour and protecting belongings.
You can bring them back out later, right now, peace of mind is priceless.
8. Be Ready to Adapt, Every Child is Different
Some kids flush things down the toilet. Others eat dog food. One might climb every piece of furniture in the house while another never leaves the rug.
Child proofing isn’t one-size-fits-all. Pay attention to your child’s interests and adjust your space as needed. There’s no shame in changing things up, only wisdom in responding to your real-life experience.
A Safer Home is an Empowered Home
Child proofing isn’t about fear, it’s about freedom. The freedom for your child to explore safely, and the freedom for you to move through your day without constantly watching for hazards.
At Beyond Organising, we take a supportive, practical, and judgment-free approach to home safety. If you'd like help setting up a safe, functional environment that grows with your child, get in touch for a free 30-minute consult.
FAQs: Child Proofing in Real Life
Q: When should I start child proofing?
Start when you begin bringing baby items into the home, not when baby arrives. Pregnancy can affect your mobility and energy, so give yourself time to set things up gradually. It also helps you get used to where things are moved to, and to build habits like locking latches or storing items higher up. The earlier you begin, the more prepared (and less stressed) you’ll be later on.
Q: Are cupboard locks enough to keep things safe?
They’re a great first step, but not foolproof. Combine them with high storage and keep hazardous items in one locked zone.
Q: What’s the easiest area to overlook?
Furniture tipping hazards are often missed, make sure tall units and TVs are anchored, even if they seem stable.
Q: Do I really need to move all my nice things?
If it’s valuable, fragile or meaningful, yes, it’s worth storing for now. It’s temporary, and it will save you a lot of worry.
Q: How do I know if something meets safety standards?
Visit productsafety.gov.au for current guidelines, recalls, and trusted advice.