Put small items, such as matches, nails and tiny beads, out of sight of the baby. Keep all medicines out of reach. Create a safe area for Baby to play. Use gates to keep Baby from dangerous parts of a room or from rooms where you do not want Baby to play. Until you have a safe area, buy or borrow a playpen or gate.
Playpens work well with some babies, and others cry the minute they're put into one.
If you do use a playpen, be sure it has a spring lock and that there are no hinges or joints that can pinch tiny fingers. Old-fashioned accordion gates are dangerous. Baby can be trapped in the gate. At that time, teach Baby how to handle these areas and things safely. Babies under a year old are too young to know why they should stop doing something.