Bringing home your newborn is one of life’s most emotional and beautiful experiences. Those sleepy snuggles and slow, quiet days feel magical. But even in the sweetness, the responsibility of keeping your baby safe can quickly set in. As a Charlotte newborn and motherhood photographer — and a mom — I understand the feeling deeply. Imagining your baby getting hurt feels unbearable, so many parents push those thoughts aside. But I’ve heard real stories from families shocked by how quickly accidents happened — all in homes that felt safe but lacked complete babyproofing. No judgement here cause we have had our own mishaps that thankfully turned out ok! That’s why I’m sharing these essential tips to babyproof your Charlotte home, including where to find local safety gear and help.
Welcoming a baby means your home is about to become their playground — and their obstacle course. Whether you’re in the heart of Charlotte or one of our beautiful surrounding neighborhoods, babyproofing your home is one of the most important ways to keep your little one safe as they grow and explore. Here are 10 practical, parent-tested ways to babyproof your Charlotte home.
Anchor Furniture and TVs to Babyproof Your Charlotte Home from Tip-Overs
You might have a little daredevil climber on your hands — and it’s not just boys! Babies will be crawling, pulling up, and climbing before you even realize it. That’s why anchoring top-heavy furniture like dressers, bookshelves, and TVs is essential to prevent dangerous tip-overs. Even if your child doesn’t climb, they may pull out drawers or use shelves to stand.
What to do: Install anti-tip brackets on furniture and wall mounts for TVs. Most hardware stores carry inexpensive kits.
Upgrade Your Outlet Covers — Curiosity Always Finds a Way
Babies and toddlers are constantly testing boundaries — and if there’s a plug they can reach, they’ll try to explore it. You can quickly pop those basic plastic outlet covers into place and feel like the job’s done, but over time—especially in high-use areas—they often loosen, fall out, or get overlooked completely.
That’s why in our home, we made the switch in common areas to the newer sliding or twist-to-unlock covers. They’re a bit more effort to install, but they stay put and are much harder for little fingers to mess with — especially in spots where you’re frequently plugging things in and out, like the living room, hallways, or kitchen.
For plugs that are in use — like where we plug in the vacuum or other appliances — and that might otherwise get unplugged accidentally, we used secure outlet covers like these SAFELON Electrical Outlet Covers. These help prevent plugs from coming loose or being pulled out too easily, especially in busy areas.
We also used outlet plug covers that safely shorten the plug space, like these Safety 1st Outlet Cover Shorteners in playrooms and bedrooms where accidental unplugging happens often. If you only use the basic plugs, save them for lesser-used areas — like behind furniture or in rarely accessed outlets — and go for more secure options in high-traffic zones.
🛍 Local Resources:
- Target (multiple locations across Charlotte)
- Lowe’s Home Improvement (multiple locations)
- Ace Hardware (multiple locations)
And of course, if you’re embracing the “I don’t want to get out to shop” life, Amazon has a great selection of sliding and twist-lock outlet covers delivered right to your door.
Do a Choke Hazard Sweep (Especially If This Isn’t Your First Rodeo!)
If this baby isn’t your first — or even your second — don’t wait to get ahead of those tiny toy hazards. Start making changes before baby arrives so your older kids have time to adjust, and you’re not trying to enforce brand-new rules while juggling a newborn.
Begin by getting down on your hands and knees and looking around from a crawling baby’s perspective. Anything smaller than a toilet paper roll is a choking risk — coins, buttons, snack pieces, batteries, tiny wheels, and more. You’ll be surprised how many little things end up under couches, in corners, and scattered across play areas.
This is also a great time to introduce a few simple safety rules with your big kids. In our house, we did things like:
- No LEGOs in the living room
- Barbie shoes and Hot Wheels stay in bedrooms, not in shared spaces
- Small parts go in labeled bins and stay behind closed doors or on taller shelves
And honestly? Most older siblings don’t love it when baby grabs their favorite toys anyway — so you can frame it as helping them protect their stuff, too! Win-win.
🧼 Pro Tip: Set up a gated “big kid” zone or shelves for older sibling toys, and have a special bin just for things that are baby-safe. It makes cleanup easier and keeps everyone happier and safer.
Lock Cabinets and Drawers to Babyproof Your Charlotte Home — and Give Baby One to “Explore”
Babies love exploring the kitchen — especially when mom or dad is in there cooking. Instead of fighting it, I always recommend giving them one safe cabinet that’s all theirs. Fill it with plastic bowls, stackable cups, or wooden spoons. I’ve even told clients to swing by the Dollar Store to grab a couple of metal bowls, a whisk, or plastic measuring cups. It goes a long way toward entertaining your little one while keeping them out of the truly dangerous spots.
Both of my kids always sat right under my feet while I cooked — and honestly, I loved it. I had a set of ceramic ramekins that they adored stacking and unstacking, giggling the whole time while I stirred a pot or prepped dinner.
But while one “yes” cabinet is fun, don’t forget to secure the others. We used magnetic cabinet locks with the key feature for our daughter, and the more basic pinch-release kind for our son — and both worked great for their ages and personalities. Don’t overlook stove knob covers, especially if you have a gas stove — those knobs are right at eye level once babies start pulling up!
🛍 Where to Shop in Charlotte: Green Sprout in South End has eco-conscious childproofing supplies, and Buy Buy Baby also carries a wide variety of cabinet locks and kitchen safety gear.
Secure Blind Cords and Electrical Wires to Babyproof Your Charlotte Living Spaces
Loose cords — especially window blind strings — are a serious strangulation hazard for babies and toddlers. Always use cordless window treatments if possible, or at the very least, install cord cleats high out of reach. Tuck power cords behind furniture or secure them with covers to prevent curious hands from tugging or chewing.
This was one we had to modify in our own home. Both our son’s and daughter’s windows were just a little too close to their cribs and beds for comfort. Instead of constantly worrying about the blind cords, we installed blackout curtains over the blinds — a simple fix that completely removed the risk and made nap time easier. If you decide to make a similar change, we found great blackout curtains at Pottery Barn Kids and Amazon (because let’s be honest — Amazon is the king of the “I don’t want to get out to shop” life right now).
🛍 You can also find childproofing items at: Lowe’s on South Boulevard or Blackhawk Hardware in Park Road Shopping Center — both have helpful staff and solid options for securing cords and outlets.
Add Non-Slip Rug Pads to Prevent Baby Falls
Even brand-new crawlers or early standers can tangle themselves in a rug or slide across hardwood floors. Adding non-slip pads or double-sided rug tape to lightweight rugs helps keep those little feet more stable.
Tip: Check rugs in nurseries, hallways, and even the kitchen mat by the sink.
Pro Tip: If you’re scheduling newborn or milestone photos in your home, this is a great way to prep the space for safety and style.
Gate Off Stairs and Unsafe Areas
Once babies become mobile, they move fast — and staircases or off-limits rooms can quickly become dangerous. Install baby gates at the top and bottom of all stairs, and in front of any room you don’t want baby crawling into unsupervised. Make sure you choose the right kind: pressure-mounted gates are great for doorways but not safe for the top of stairs, where hardware-mounted options are much more secure.
I’ve spoken to several parents whose little ones — while just toddling or crawling — had terrifyingly close calls around stairs or dangerous spaces. Some even ended up in the ER simply because they couldn’t reach them in time. Thankfully, all those kiddos made it through without lasting injury, but every single parent told me the same thing: the fear and guilt from knowing it could have been prevented was overwhelming.
Don’t wait for that kind of wake-up call. Taking the time now to gate off those risky areas can spare you heartache — and give your baby more freedom to safely explore.
📍 Charlotte Favorites: Buy Buy Baby in Charlotte has a wide selection of gates — and their staff can help you compare pressure-mounted vs. hardware-mounted options so you get the right fit for your home.
Set Water Heater to 120° to Babyproof Your Charlotte Home For Bath Time
One of the simplest — but most important — ways to protect your baby from burns is to lower your water heater temperature to 120°F or lower. Babies have incredibly delicate skin, and it takes just seconds of hot water exposure to cause serious injury.
This one hits especially close to home. A friend once called me screaming — her toddler was crying uncontrollably in the background. She had been downstairs helping her older child with homework when her little one wandered upstairs, went into the bathroom, climbed into the tub, and turned on the hot water. The scalding water severely burned her tiny feet. Standing next to her in the ER, trying to comfort her baby girl while we waited for the pain meds to finally take effect, was heartbreaking and terrifying.
If sharing that experience can help even one mom avoid the same situation, I’ll share it a thousand times. It takes just a quick adjustment to your water heater, and it can prevent unimaginable pain for your child.
Check Smoke & CO Detectors as You Babyproof Your Charlotte Home
Before the baby arrives (and regularly afterward), make sure you have working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in every sleeping and living space. These devices are essential for protecting your family — especially when everyone’s asleep and you’re not likely to notice a problem right away.
I know no one loves that sudden 2 a.m. chirp from a dying battery, and for some reason, it always seems to happen during a stretch of bad baby sleep or at the absolute worst possible toddler bedtime moments. That’s why I recommend setting up a recurring reminder to test your detectors monthly and change the batteries at least twice a year (daylight savings time is a great cue!). A little planning can save you from a jarring wake-up call — giving you peace of mind knowing your baby is protected day and night.
Don’t Forget the “Everyday” Hazards When Babyproofing
When it comes to babyproofing, most people focus on the nursery and playroom, but the reality is that every room in your home needs to be part of the plan. Diaper bags left open, visitors’ purses, dangling cords, and loose change can all become hazards in seconds — and I’ve experienced this firsthand.
One night, my husband was reading a bedtime story to our daughter and had forgotten to empty his pockets beforehand. He pulled out his keys, wallet, and some loose change (thankfully, just one coin) and set them next to her bed before settling in to read. After finishing the book, he left the room — then immediately realized he’d forgotten to grab his things. When he went back in, the coin was gone. And yep… she had swallowed it. We spent the next few days monitoring her bathroom activity (and yes, I made him do it) until it thankfully reappeared.
It was a huge wake-up call. These things can happen to any of us, no matter how careful we think we’re being. That’s why creating safe zones throughout your Charlotte home is so important. Not just in the nursery, but anywhere your baby might explore.
Don’t Just Babyproof Your Charlotte Home But Make Sure To Have Sweet Photos Too?
Babyproofing your home isn’t about being perfect! It’s about creating a space where your baby can grow, explore, and thrive safely. Every small change you make adds up to a more secure home (and a little more peace of mind for you!).
But babyproofing your home is just one step in protecting your growing family. When it comes to capturing those first sweet days, it’s also important to hire a newborn photographer who is safety trained. My newborn safety training began in 2019 with full certifications in safety for posing, health, and safety for babies. I continue to update my education and certifications each year to ensure I’m always at the top of my game when holding and posing your precious baby.
If you’re prepping for newborn or milestone photos, I’m happy to help you feel confident in your space. Whether we’re capturing moments in your Charlotte home or in my cozy Waxhaw studio.
Let’s make sure your home is ready for all the wobbly steps, sweet snuggles, and big milestones to come.
Raising kiddos is hard – here are a few more tips as well a fun activities you can review – and a bonus for mamas cause let’s be honest if we don’t take care of ourselves we can’t be there for our kiddos:
- Looking for a fun activity to get out of the house and explore a new town? Waxhaw Downtown Kids Park: A Playful Day Out (and So Much More!)
- What did you put on your baby shower gift list? Here are a few items you might want to add: Must-Have Baby Items Charlotte Mom’s Are Loving!
- Hey mama….let’s take about something important for you: Real Talk About Postpartum Pelvic Health in Waxhaw with Dr Jennie!
