As little ones grow, their natural curiosity drives them to explore everything in sight. What starts with crawling quickly turns into climbing, reaching, and pulling. The once-safe home becomes a maze of potential hazards. That’s why early and thorough babyproofing is essential to create a secure space for active, adventurous toddlers.

Understanding the Shift from Crawling to Climbing

In the early stages, crawling babies mostly stay close to the floor, making it an ideal time to babyproof your bathroom and other key areas. They may show interest in cabinet doors or loose cords, but their reach is limited. Once they start climbing, the game changes. Furniture, bathtubs, shelves, and even toilet lids become fair targets. 

This shift can catch caregivers off guard if the home isn’t already babyproofed for the next phase of mobility. It’s important to babyproof in advance—before climbing becomes part of daily movement. Anticipating the next stage keeps one a step ahead of accidents.

Key Hazards as Babies Begin to Climb

Climbing brings new risks. Low coffee tables and reachable bookshelves may seem harmless, but when used as ladders, they pose a real danger. Unsecured furniture can easily tip over. Toilets become fascinating play zones. Even seemingly harmless drawers can become climbing aids that lead to falls.

Doors, especially those that swing shut, are another risk. A slammed door can pinch fingers or even trap a child in a room. Babyproofing means taking a full scan of the home environment through the lens of a climber-in-training.

Making the Bathroom a Safer Space

The bathroom is often overlooked but poses serious risks for young children. With sharp edges, slippery floors, and access to water, it becomes especially hazardous as climbing begins. To improve safety, lock cabinets, secure the toilet lid, use non-slip mats, and keep harmful items out of reach.

Removing or locking away anything glass or breakable is wise, as even a dropped soap dispenser can cause injury As strength and mobility increase, towel racks and drawers may be used for climbing, so securing or removing them is important. Keep bathroom doors closed and use door knob covers—sometimes a locked door is the easiest way to prevent accidents.

Anchoring Furniture and Appliances

Once babies discover how to climb, any piece of furniture is fair game. That’s why anchoring bookshelves, dressers, and even televisions becomes essential. Wall anchors or furniture straps are low-cost and easy to install but offer strong protection against tip-over accidents.

Appliances like washing machines or dryers, especially those with front-load doors, should also be secured or made inaccessible. Babies can crawl inside if left open or use them to climb onto counters. One oversight can lead to a serious injury, so consistent safety measures are key.

Trusted Services for In-Home Safety

Some families prefer professional guidance for creating safer home environments. Trained safety technicians can provide custom assessments, install safety equipment, and ensure every part of the home is evaluated thoroughly. These services often go beyond standard childproofing kits, offering tailored solutions that match a household’s specific layout and needs.

For those without the time or confidence to tackle babyproofing alone, this kind of service can be a valuable option, helping ensure that high-risk areas like bathrooms, kitchens, and stairways are fully secure.

As little ones go from crawling to climbing, the need for a safe environment becomes more urgent. Creating a home that’s fun to explore but free from harm is no small task—but it’s one worth doing right. Whether setting things up independently or seeking expert help, the goal remains the same: to babyproof your bathroom and every other room before curiosity turns into climbing adventures. A well-prepared space allows children to grow and explore safely, giving caregivers greater peace of mind each day.