How To Babyproof Your Stairs: In 6 Easy Steps
Taking care of a newborn is hard work. You’ll have to feed them, clean them, and put them to sleep at all hours of the day (and night). It will be like this until you finally get your baby on a schedule. Then, you’ll have about 6 months until your baby starts to learn how to walk. This brings about a whole new round of worrying. Your main concern will be about how to keep them safe while they learn how to walk around the house. This is especially true if your home has multiple floors. Because for some reason, toddlers love to go up and down the stairs even if they can’t walk yet. So of course, you’ll have to babyproof your stairs. How exactly do you do that? Well, I’ve got your back. Here are 6 easy steps you can follow to babyproof your stairs.
You can babyproof your stairs in 6 easy steps. First, use baby gates on the top and the bottom of your staircase. Second, securely anchor the baby gates to your stairs or wall. Third, make sure to maintain your stairs. Fourth, consider carpeting your stairs. Fifth, clear any clutter. And finally, keep your staircase well lit.
Your staircase is a dangerous place if your child is learning how to walk. It can be dangerous even if your toddler is a competent walker. All it takes is 1 slip for a nasty fall to happen. So, make sure that you assist your child every time to go up or down the stairs. Do this until you are sure that they can use the stairs safely. And, the only way you can ensure this is by limiting your toddler’s access to the stairs with baby gates.
#1 Use Baby Gates
If you only do 1 thing to babyproof your stairs, you should use baby gates at the top and bottom of the staircase. They are the simplest and most effective way to ensure that your baby won’t go on the stairs unless you’re around to assist them. Even though they are simple, there are a few things to keep in mind when setting them up.
This might seem obvious but make sure that the baby gate is big enough to completely block access to the stairs. Your toddler will find a way around it if you don’t. Believe me, they can make Houdini look like an amateur escape artist.
Besides being big enough, make sure that the baby gate you choose is easy to use. This is easy enough to do if you purchase them at a store. Stores will usually model then. So, take the time to try them out. If you’re buying them online, make sure to read the reviews. Pay special attention if the locking mechanism is easy to use but secure. Also, you might want to get a baby gate that closes by itself. This ensures that it’s doing its job even if you forget to close it.
And last but not least, make sure you read the instructions thoroughly. I know, who does that right? But seriously, read the instructions and follow them precisely when setting up your baby gate. This is the only way you can be sure that they are set up correctly.
#2 Anchor The Baby Gates
Make sure that you anchor the baby gates securely. Some baby gates already include anchors. But, you’ll find that most don’t since this is an extra accessory they can sell to us. It’s sad but true.
So, use them if your baby gate includes anchors. If yours doesn’t, buy a compatible set of baby gate anchors (Amazon Link). And, use them when installing your baby gate. They will make a world of difference with how secure your final installation is.
Unfortunately, this usually means that you’ll have to drill into your wall and/or your banister to fully secure the anchors. But, some options use rubber to anchor your baby gates without having to drill anything. Choose the one that works best for your situation.
#3 Maintain Your Stairs
Your stairs might have been rock solid the day you moved into your home. But, the more you use it, the faster it will break down. This is a rule that applies to everything, including your stairs. You’re producing wear and tear every time you step on a stair or grab the handrail. You might not realize it on a day to day basis. But, it will be very obvious a year or 2 down the road.
After a while, you might notice that your banister is wobbly. Or, you might find a step getting loose. You might even see exposed nails or staples. All of these (and anything else you can imagine) creates a dangerous environment for you and your toddler.
So, take the time to regularly inspect your staircase. You don’t have to do this very often. But, aim to do it at least twice a year. If (and when) you find any issues, fix them right away. I know that life is busy. Especially when you’re taking care of little ones. But, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
#4 Consider Carpeting Your Stairs
Trust me, I know that hardwood stairs are a sight to behold. Who wouldn’t want them? But, you might want to consider carpeting your stairs if you have toddlers in the house. The truth is, toddlers will fall all the time. They will fall even if they have been walking for well over a year. And, at a certain age, they will run more then they walk. So, the chances of them falling will grow over time.
Even though a wood staircase is nicer looking, it’s also a lot more slippery than carpet. This means that your toddler will have a greater chance to slip and fall. And, they will fall. It’s guaranteed. And, when they do fall, the carpet would provide a lot more cushion then hardwood. It’s a win-win solution.
But, don’t think that it’s a permanent solution. You can easily remove the carpet once your toddler has grown into an adult. Ok, maybe you don’t have to wait that long. But, you never know with these kids.
#5 Clear The Clutter
This is probably the easiest step to do but the one most people overlook. There’s really aren’t many good reasons to have anything on the steps of your stairs. They are accidents waiting to happen. But for some reason, toddlers will always leave random items in your way. Your stairs might be clear one minute ago. But, they can get littered with toys, books, and crayons in a flash.
I know it is really easy to ignore these items. Especially if you’re really busy or have your hands full. But, take the time to pick them up and move them out of the way. It really takes very little effort. And, doing so will avoid anyone tripping on them at a later time.
#6 Keep Your Stairs Well Lit
And last but not least… you should keep your stairs well lit. It doesn’t matter how secure, stable and clear your stairs are if you can’t see where you are walking. So, make sure to use bright lights to help guide your way up and down the staircase. Better yet, consider installing nightlights the whole length of your staircase. That way, your path will always be clearly lit even if you don’t flip on your light switches.
I’ve given you 6 easy steps that you can follow to babyproof your stairs. I hope it helps. Also, feel free to leave a comment down below f you can think of any other tips that I may have missed. Thanks in advance.
By Grace – Child Development Associate Teacher in California
My husband Mark and I have been blessed with two beautiful, smart, positive (I can go on and on) girls… Kenzie & Kayla. And, we have learned many tips and tricks while raising them. Tips and tricks that we felt would be useful to other new parents out there. So, we started WAYISAVE as a website built by parents for parents to share the best baby deals, coupons, tips, tricks and the occasional piece of advice.
