Childproofing Your New Home: Room-by-Room Checklist
Kitchen and Bathroom Safety
The kitchen and bathroom are the highest-risk rooms for young children. Install cabinet locks on all lower cabinets — especially those containing cleaning products, sharp utensils, or medications. In Montreal's older apartments, under-sink plumbing is often exposed, so add a childproof lock to prevent little hands from reaching pipes or cleaning supplies. Use stove knob covers and keep pot handles turned inward while cooking.
In the bathroom, set your water heater to 49°C (120°F) to prevent scalds, add a non-slip mat to the tub, and install a toilet lock if your child is a curious explorer. Store all medications, razors, and grooming products in a high cabinet or one with a safety latch. Supplies are available at Canadian Tire, Walmart, and Babies R Us locations across Montreal.
Living Areas and Bedrooms
Anchor all tall furniture — bookshelves, dressers, and TV stands — to the wall using anti-tip straps. This is critical in older Montreal apartments where floors may be slightly uneven, making furniture less stable. Cover electrical outlets with plug covers or install tamper-resistant outlet plates. Use corner guards on sharp-edged coffee tables and furniture.
In bedrooms, install window guards or window stops that prevent windows from opening more than 10 cm. Montreal's older buildings often have low windowsills, making this especially important for upper floors. Keep blind cords out of reach or switch to cordless blinds — cord strangulation is a serious hazard for toddlers.
Stairs, Hallways, and Balconies
If your new home has interior stairs (common in Montreal duplexes and townhouses), install safety gates at both the top and bottom. Choose hardware-mounted gates for the top of stairs — pressure-mounted gates can be pushed out by a determined toddler. Ensure gate slats are no more than 6 cm apart.
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Montreal balconies on older triplex buildings often have wide railing gaps. Measure the spacing — if wider than 10 cm, install a balcony guard net or plexiglass panel. Never leave furniture near balcony railings that a child could climb on. Finally, add a door-pinch guard to every interior door — those heavy Montreal apartment doors can crush small fingers in a flash.
