Whether you live in an RV full time or are just weekenders, you will be spending a lot of time in your camper. It must be safe for your little one to play and explore, even when you aren’t watching. Here is a COMPLETE guide on how to Baby Proof an RV, so that you don’t have to worry about them getting into anything.
Before we started living in our fifth wheel, my daughter was barely crawling. So there wasn’t much I had to do to keep her safe. After a few months, she became very mobile and even though it’s a small space, she found things to get into.
I hope you find confidence in knowing that this baby proofing guide was made by a mama who lives in an RV with a baby. I wrote an article about what it’s like living in a fifth wheel with a toddler, if you are on the fence about living in an RV with young children. Here is everything I’ve done to ensure that my daughter is safe, even when I’m not looking!
How to Baby Proof Your RV
Here are all the things I’ve used to keep my daughter safe in our RV. Keep in mind that you don’t need to do this all at once. You can add things as they grow and their level of mobility increases. I’ve broken this RV Baby Proofing guide into crawling and walking babies. I have done things in stages as I’ve seen her grow!
6 Child Proofing Must-Haves For Crawling Babies in an RV
1. Invest in a Pack n Play
I highly recommend having a good pack n play for your baby. This will help you to get things done, so you don’t have to worry about what they could be getting into. Remember, this should be something they go in occasionally. For example, when you are cooking dinner or you need to run to the bathroom.
We loved to use our pack n play inside for some worry-free independent playtime. But, we also loved to bring it outside. This allowed my husband and I to enjoy each other’s company while giving our daughter some fresh air.
Check out my article on BEST Cribs for your RV.. I included my favorite travel pack n plays too!
2. Outlet Covers
This might seem obvious, but I forgot to grab some when we moved into the trailer. Babies are curious and may want to stick their fingers and who knows what into the outlets. Just do yourself a favor and grab some outlet covers… they are super inexpensive.
3. Soft Corner Guards
As baby begins to get more mobile, get some corner guards to protect them from poking their eye or getting a head injury. If you have a dining room table or coffee table, these are prime spots for babies to get hurt.
4. Baby Gate
I think every RV needs a baby gate between the living room and the door. For our trailer layout, this keeps our daughter away from the door and stairs. It gives us peace of mind that she won’t just fall out the door if we didn’t latch it all the way.
Baby gates can really go in any location that you don’t want your little one to get into. This just works best for us!
Check Out our Baby Gate that we use in our 2015 Coachman Chaparral.
5. Finger Pinch Guards
If your baby has recently started playing with your RV doors, get some pinch guards. This will ensure that they don’t accidentally get their fingers stuck in any doors. There are two options you can choose from:
6. Screen Door Protector
This nifty little aluminum screen door protector helps to prevent your baby from pushing on the screen and falling out. You can add a barrel bolt lock to keep your little one from opening the screen door too.
8 Ways to Child Proof For Walking Baby in an RV
1. Drawer + Cabinet Locks
We have been blessed that our daughter hasn’t figured out how to open the cabinets and drawers. But, we have some safety locks on them incase she does. These are very inexpensive and a quick install.
2. Furniture Anti-Tip Kit
If you have renovated your RV and have residential furniture in it, you should think about anchoring it to the wall. In my daughter’s room we have a book shelf and we’ve made sure to anchor it when we are stationary.
3. Stove Guard
Since RV stoves are pretty low and often the pot is close to the edge, it’s easier for babies to reach them. These guards keep their little hands and fingers away from the heat.
4. Oven Lock
If your little one wants to be in all the action, get an oven lock to ensure that they don’t accidentally open it. RV oven doors are WAY easier to open because they are smaller and lighter.
5. Stove Knob Covers
I feel like the stove is an area I worry the most about (obviously because this is the third thing I’ve mentioned). But having knob covers for your stove, will ensure that your baby can’t accidentally turn on the stove and have propane leaking!!
6. Toilet Locks
Once your baby realizes how the toilet works, you will absolutely want to lock it! Nobody wants to go looking in the poop tank for lost items!
7. Door Lever Locks
Most RVs have lever door handles, which makes it super easy for babies to get into rooms they aren’t supposed to be in. So grab some door lever locks, to keep baby safe and out of areas they aren’t supposed to be in.
8. Wireless Door Alarms
Whether you want to be alerted if someone were to break into your RV or if you are worried about your baby escaping, getting a wireless door alarm will bring you peace of mind. There are so many of these out on the market. Prices range from $13-$36+. They are an inexpensive way to make sure your baby doesn’t leave the trailer.
5 Baby Proofing Your RV Tips
1. Keep Plants out of Reach
My daughter is obsessed with my succulents. I had to move them to some higher shelves so they were out of reach.
2. Pet Bowls go Up
This must be my daughter’s FAVORITE thing to play with right now. She loves to play around in our dog’s water bowl. My tip is to keep them out of reach while your child is playing in the RV. We have bowls set up outside for our German Shepherd and we make sure to put the bowls back down in the trailer for nap time.
3. Keep Floors Clean
I vacuum every morning and night. Since it’s such a small space, dog hair accumulates quickly and somehow my daughter finds random things to put in her mouth (you know… crumbs… dog food).
4. Get Rugs for your Entry Doors
We’ve also had a problem with little rocks coming into the house. Get a rug for outside your steps and another for when you walk in. This seems to help a lot!
5. Get a Ladder Guard
If your little one hasn’t hit the climbing stage, you can definitely wait on this one. But getting a ladder guard ensures that while your baby is adventuring, they don’t accidentally end up on the roof!
Final Thoughts…
You can never be too safe when baby proofing your RV. Like I mentioned early, you can do this in stages and according to what your child’s weakness is (my daughter is still the dog bowls!). Learning how to baby proof your RV will ensure that your child is safe and will give you peace of mind to get some things done.