How to Babyproof a Garage

Most parents think to babyproof the rooms of their house where their babies play or travel through, but few tend to think of babyproofing the garage. However, it's this space where a home's most toxic chemicals and biggest safety hazards exist. Take the necessary steps to babyproof your garage to ensure your little one is safe wherever she may visit.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Double-check to make sure that the garage door includes a safety feature that moves the door back to its open position the second it touches an object or a human being.

2. Move all chemicals, paint, garden and lawn fertilizers, car parts and other potentially-harmful materials out of sight so your baby isn't tempted to explore them and poison or hurt herself.

3. Disable any electrical outlets you do not use, and switch them off at the circuit breaker to babyproof the outlets from little fingers.

4. Store tools in one specific, out-of-reach place, and unplug any power tools when you're not using them.

5. Install deadbolts on any boxes or storage containers that house potentially-harmful objects or substances so that your baby cannot open them.

6. Lock any access doors to your garage to babyproof them and prevent your baby from entering through a side door once he is able to walk.

7. Prevent your baby from playing near the garage doors or in the driveway where cars are entering and exiting.

Tips & Warnings

• Ensure that all chemicals are stored in their original containers and clearly labeled on the outside. Should your baby accidentally ingest a chemical, you'll need to know exactly which substances are included in the chemicals when you call poison control
• Call 1-800-222-1222, the number of every poison center in the United States, if your baby accidentally swallows a poisonous substance.
• It's a good idea to keep your baby out of the garage whenever possible, since the potential safety hazards abound there.
• If you are storing an unused refrigerator or freezer in your garage, remove the doors so your baby cannot trap herself if she crawls inside.