Roches just turned one, and life has become one big chase. He walks now — confidently — and somehow manages to find trouble in every corner of the house. From the kitchen to the living room, the boy is on a mission.
Here’s what I’ve had to do to toddler-proof the house (or at least try to):
- Locking the kitchen like it’s a vault
The kitchen is Roches’ favorite spot. The noise, the drawers, the shiny pans — everything calls his name. I had to install child safety locks on drawers, move knives and cleaning supplies to the top shelves, and hide the trash bin (he thinks it’s a treasure chest). The cooker knobs are also covered because apparently, they’re “fun buttons.”
- Anchoring the TV and hiding the cables
One day I found Roches halfway up the TV stand, trying to “touch cartoons.” That was my wake-up call. The TV is now firmly mounted on the wall, and every loose cable is tucked away. What used to be a living room setup now looks like a fortress.
- Saying goodbye to open bookshelves
Books are his next target. He opens every shelf, pulls out everything, and spreads it all across the floor like confetti. I’ve since added magnetic locks to the lower shelves and moved all the fragile items up. The bottom rows are now home to toys — safer for him, easier for me.
- Locking wardrobes before they become treasure chests
This one took me by surprise. Roches recently discovered wardrobes — and to him, they’re full of mysteries. He’ll open one, pull out every piece of clothing, and lay them on the floor one by one as though rummaging for some secret treasure. Now all the wardrobes stay locked. Otherwise, the bedroom turns into a laundry mountain by noon.
- Making the floor fall-friendly
Tiles and toddlers don’t mix well. After one too many slips, I bought thick foam play mats for his play area. They’ve been a lifesaver (and a back-saver for me too). I also make sure his socks have grips, and I try to keep spills cleaned up fast — easier said than done!
- Keeping doors and gates locked
Roches loves to wander. Leave the door open for two seconds, and he’s halfway to the gate. I’ve added childproof locks and a baby gate to control his “adventures.” It’s like managing a very curious escape artist.
- Taming the climber in him
Beds, chairs, stools — all fair game. He climbs everything and then cries when gravity reminds him who’s boss. I’m teaching him how to get down safely (though he prefers his own method). I’ve also rearranged furniture to make falls less dramatic.
- Constant supervision — the real secret
No gadget or gate beats an alert parent. I’ve realized that toddler-proofing isn’t about making the house 100% safe — it’s about reducing the dangers and staying two steps ahead of their curiosity.
Roches is busy, fearless, and full of life. I can’t stop him from exploring, but I can make sure he explores safely.
If you’ve got a one-year-old too, you know how it feels — exhausting, chaotic, but deeply rewarding. Every day is a mix of “No, Roches!” and “Wow, look at you!”
