How to child proof your rental

If you are thinking of bringing a newborn into your rental home now or down the track, it's important to plan ahead and do what you can to baby proof your home to ensure the safety of your child.

Making your home safe for a newborn or toddler is vital and it can be daunting to know what changes you are and are not allowed to make to your rental property.

Here are nine ways you can child proof your rental property without compromising your lease agreement:

1. Fix furniture

In 2019, the WA Government passed a new Bill which allows tenants to fix furniture to the walls of your rental home to prevent furniture from toppling and hurting your child.

This now makes it so much easier for you to protect your child within your home, whilst not compromising your lease agreement.

If you decide you want to fix any furniture to the walls, make sure you still seek approval from your property manager or owner who will guide you through the correct process. Remember that you will have to repair any surfaces at the termination of your lease.

For more information, visit Product Safety Australia's website on Toppling furniture: how to use furniture and TVs safely.

2. Asses the property

Prior to signing a rental agreement, you should review your tenancy agreement or ask your property manager to determine what alterations you are allowed to do, to ensure you get your bond back and don't damage the property.

Then you can begin to assess the property and create a list of all potential hazards. Figure out the hotspots which need attention and do a thorough risk assessment.

3. Get down

Put yourself in the shoes of a toddler. Get down on all fours and see what it's like from their perspective.

It might feel ridiculous, but it is the only way of really knowing what could be a dangerous risk to them. You'd be surprised at the hidden hazards that can only be seen from the view point of a child.

4. Put in child safety gates

Sometimes, it's unmanageable to always have your eye on your child. After all they are curious and are likely to go exploring. To prevent them from being in places where they shouldn't, especially with stairs, putting in a child safety gate to block certain areas is a good way to minimise this risk.

Child safety gates are also good for setting up a safe playing area with your baby or toddler. If you are worried about damaging the walls, there are a range of products you can add to each side of the gate to protect them.

Always check with your property manager if you are attaching anything to the wall.

5. Cover pointy edges and cupboards

Secure and lock all cupboards and draws. It is important that you don't just shut the cupboard but to also lock them if it's within the child's reach.

Any sharp edges or corners also need to be covered with soft padding to prevent head injuries.

These are simple things that can be done without damaging the property and can be removed easily at the end of your rental agreement.

6. Check windows

Often, windows are forgotten about during the child proofing process and can be the reason for many tragic falls and accidents. Flyscreens are not a good enough preventative to stop children from putting themselves in danger, so ensure you add in safety devices and/or bars to easily accessible windows.

Get the approval from your landlord or property manager before you install anything.

7. Don't ignore blinds and curtains

At least 18 deaths of children from strangulation by blind and curtain cords (and chains) have occurred in Australia since the early 1990s. Make sure you secure any curtain or blind cords using the safety devices supplied with them or tie them up so they do not dangle down for a child to reach.

If you are unsure, ask your property manager or owner to check they are safe.

8. Hide chords and electricity sockets

Don't leave electric cables and chords lying around in the open. Tuck them away and make sure they can't be reached if your toddler is crawling around on the floor.

Look for child safety power outlet plugs that be used for all of your unused electricity sockets. These will prevent children putting anything in these and turning it on.

9. Is your pool fence up to standards?

Pool safety is a major point of concern when it comes to a child's safety. It is law that any property with a pool needs adequate fencing, including your rental property. Pool fencing should be the responsibility of the landlord, but you can make sure during the home open you check that an appropriate fence is in place. For those already in a rental property and you are concerned with the pool safety barriers contact your property manager.

For more information about making your rental child safe, visit the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety's website.

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