When toddlers figure out climbing, they can scale furniture, bookshelves, and even baby gates. This usually happens between 18 months and 3 years. Climbing dramatically increases the risk of falls and tip-overs. Anchoring everything and removing climbable items near dangerous spots is critical.
Related Terms
A child between 1 and 3 years old. Toddlers walk, climb, run, and get into everything with impressive determination and zero fear. They can open drawers, turn knobs, and figure out simple locks. Childproofing for toddlers often means upgrading from basic locks to more complex ones.
The danger of heavy furniture or appliances falling on a child who climbs or pulls on them. Dressers, bookshelves, and TVs cause thousands of injuries every year. Anchoring furniture to the wall with anti-tip brackets is one of the most important childproofing steps you can take.
A strap or bracket that secures heavy furniture to the wall to prevent tip-overs. Dressers, bookshelves, and TVs are the biggest risks. Most come with simple L-brackets or nylon straps that screw into the furniture and wall stud. You can get earthquake-rated ones for extra security.
Steps taken to keep babies and toddlers from falling off furniture, down stairs, or out of windows. Baby gates at the top and bottom of stairs, window guards above the first floor, and never leaving a baby unattended on a changing table are the big ones.