How to Babyproof a Basement

The basement is one of the most potentially hazardous spaces in the house for your baby. Follow these steps to babyproof your basement, even if your child doesn't visit the room often, and keep your baby safe and protected.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Move all laundry detergents, stain removers and bleach well out of your baby's eyesight and reach.

2. Prevent your baby from playing near the washing machine or the dryer. Never allow him to climb inside either appliance, and ensure the appliances' doors are shut at all times.

3. Store any paint cans, brushes or other harmful painting supplies in a locked storage container.

4. Babyproof the entryway to an unfinished basement by installing a baby gate in front of it. Stairwells to unfinished basements often lack a hand railing and may lead to a hard cement floor, which could cause your baby serious injury or even death if he were to fall down the stairs.

5. Ensure any litter boxes for your pets are placed in areas your baby cannot access.

6. Make certain that any water damage that occurred in your basement due to flooding is fixed by a professional before you bring your infant home from the hospital. Some molds can cause serious health problems in infants.

7. Test the basement for radon exposure using a radon testing kit. Mail the sample to a lab for analysis purposes.

8. Block off and babyproof access to the furnace, sump pump and humidifier so your child isn't tempted to touch them.

Tips & Warnings

• Make certain all basement chemicals are stored in their original containers, as you'll need to know the name of the substance should your baby swallow any.
• Phone [phone], the number of every poison center in the United States, if your baby ingests a poisonous substance in your basement.