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.
Related Terms
A barrier installed in doorways or at the top/bottom of stairs to keep babies and toddlers from entering unsafe areas. Hardware-mounted gates screw into the wall and are the only safe option for the top of stairs. Pressure-mounted gates work for doorways and the bottom of stairs.
A removable grate or barrier installed inside a window frame to prevent falls. They have bars spaced close enough that a child can't squeeze through, and most have a quick-release mechanism for emergencies. Required by law in some cities for apartments above the first floor.
Falls on stairs are one of the top causes of injury for kids under 5. Install hardware-mounted gates at the top of stairs and pressure-mounted gates at the bottom. Make sure banisters have slats close enough together that a child can't squeeze through.
Never leave a baby unattended on a changing table, not even for a second. Falls from changing tables are one of the most common infant injuries. Always keep one hand on your baby, and have everything you need within reach before you start a diaper change.