According to Stanford Children’s Health, 2,000 kids under the age of 14 die each year from unintentional home injuries.
One of our main jobs as a parent is to create a safe home for our children. Our families need a safe place to play, explore, rest, and grow. Create a safe home for your children with the best baby-proofing products available.
Installing childproofing tools gives you peace of mind and your children the right to explore their home without the high risk of unnecessary accidents or injuries.
Three main areas to consider for childproofing are:
- Doors and openings
- Cabinets and drawers
- Electrical outlets
Here are the best tools to help you baby-proof your home in each category.
The Best Baby Proofing Products for Doors and Openings
Retract-A-Gate Safety Gate
Safest Retractable Baby Gate
Baby gates are a great way to restrict access to stairs and doorways. These barriers allow your crawling baby or toddler to move around your home without entering unsafe spaces. Retractable baby gates work well in frequently used spaces or rooms your child sometimes has access to, like the kitchen or bathroom.
The Retract-A-Gate safety gate is versatile and durable. Plus, it is JPMA certified for use at both the top and bottom of the stairs. In addition, it’s constructed of tough mesh fabric that works well indoors and outdoors.
The Retract-A-Gate is 34 inches tall and has a dual locking mechanism. This combination of features makes this product a safe option to grow with your baby’s advancing climbing and fine motor skills.
This product is recommended for up to 24 months of age.
Regalo Easy Step Baby Gate
Safest Stationary Baby Gate
Regalo makes a large variety of baby safety gates and the Easy Step Baby Gate offers a safe and affordable option for parents on a budget. The Regalo Easy Step Walk Thru gate works well for frequently used openings.
One benefit of this baby gate is the easy one-hand operation. Parents often have their hands full and need a baby gate with a safe but simple to use latch. The Regalo offers both.
The Easy Step Baby Gate meets both JPMA and ASTM certification standards. When correctly installed, this baby gate works to keep your little ones secure. The metal frame and wall mounts offer the durability you want.
Invest in baby gates that provide solid construction, easy operation, and narrow enough slats to keep your baby protected. In addition, look for the best baby gate for your budget. The Regalo has multiple, affordable options to meet your unique needs.
Door Knob Covers – Child Proof Doors by Jool Baby
Door knob safety covers are essential for toddlers with the new found freedom to explore and play with door knobs. The Jool Baby Door Knob Safety Cover installs easily and works simply to keep your toddler out of restricted areas.
Whether you want to avoid a mess, like in a pantry or bathroom, or keep your baby safe from the utility closet, doorknob safety covers offer a great solution. Jool Baby’s discreet design doesn’t stand out nor interferes with the design of your home. They blend nicely with any decor.
The Jool Baby doorknob cover latches easily in place. The knob cover has two small holes on either side to grasp the doorknob and twist to open. This product is simple in design but fabulous in function.
I used this on the inside knob of my children’s bedrooms to discourage roaming in the night. I still used the baby monitor to hear if they needed me, but they didn’t have the freedom to move around and potentially hurt themselves while I slept.
This affordable safety product is a smart investment for your home.
Door Lever Lock Child Proof Doors & Handles 3M Adhesive by Tuut
Not all homes have standard door knobs. Homes with lever door handles, need a different child safety solution. TheDoor Lever Lock by Tuut is a great option for your home.
The greatest benefit of this product is the 3M adhesive technology used for installation. You don’t have to drill a hole into every door in your home to keep your child safe. The door lever lock adheres to the door with 3M adhesive.
The 3M adhesive is strong enough to keep the door safely locked in place for as long as you need it. However, when you’re done with the product, you can simply remove the lock. Your door is free from holes and scars.
The Tuut Door Lever Lock solves the problem of children being able to lock you in a room by activating the lever safety latch. The only way to move the lock into or out of place is by pressing a button at the top of the safety latch.
This product makes it easy to keep your baby safe without the inconvenience of accidentally being locked in a room. That, combined with the easy installation and affordability, makes this a wonderful safety choice for your home.
Wittle Finger Pinch Guard
Pinching your busy baby or toddler’s little finger is another risk with the doors in your home. While this is not nearly as dangerous as falling down a set of stairs, no parent wants to see their child injured. The Wittle Finger Pinch Guard protects your child’s hand from being caught in a closing door.
The Wittle Finger Pinch Guard offers three main benefits. First, it keeps your child’s finger from shutting in the door as they close it. Second, it prevents doors from slamming shut. Finally, it keeps the door from shutting all the way and locking your child into a room.
The Wittle Finger Pinch Guard is made of durable and safe EVA foam. It installs easily for quick removal. This product doesn’t need to stay on your door permanently. Simply attach when you need it and remove it when you don’t.
The Wittle Finger Pinch Guard is great for playtime, potty training, and other moments when you want your children to have access to a room without fear of the door closing all the way.
The Best Baby Proofing Products for Cabinets and Drawers
Safety 1st Side by Side Cabinet Lock
Best for Cabinet Knobs
Like with doors, cabinets have different types of handles. For knob handles, it’s tricky to keep your baby out of dangerous spaces. The Safety 1st Side by Side Cabinet Locks provide the safety you need at an affordable price.
While some reviewers find the locks hard to open for adults, in my opinion, that’s great. It means your child won’t be able to open the locks. I don’t recommend this cabinet lock for frequently used cabinets. If your goal is simply to keep your baby from pulling out the Tupperware, this probably isn’t your best bet.
However, if your goal is to keep your child out of cleaning supplies or dangerous kitchen appliances, like blenders and food processors, this is a wonderful product. It protects your child from harm, even if it’s a hassle for you to open.
Another benefit is the Safety 1st Side by Side Cabinet Lock doesn’t require drilling or screws for installation. The straps adjust to fit different sized knobs and once you’re finished with the product, your cabinets won’t have damage from the lock.
Overall, this is a great option to keep your home safe for your child to explore.
Wittle Child Safety Sliding Cabinet Lock
Best for Cabinet Handles
For cabinets with handles versus knobs, I like the Wittle Child Safety Sliding Cabinet Lock. Unlike cabinet locks that latch inside the cabinet door, sliding cabinet locks don’t require drills or screws. Cabinet sliding locks simply fit through the cabinet handles to hold the doors in place.
The locks are easy to remove for adults. However, the locks work by squeezing both sides together, which most toddlers and young children don’t have the coordination or strength to master. The Wittle Child Safety Sliding Cabinet Locks work for handles up to five inches apart.
In addition to working at your house, the sliding cabinet locks are easy to take with you to a rental home, a grandparent’s house or to a babysitter’s home. The Wittle Child Safety Locks are durable yet affordable. This product is a solid solution to keep your baby out of restricted cabinets.
Child Safety Cabinet Locks Latches and Child Proof Drawer Locks
Best for Cabinet Drawers
Securing cabinet drawers is tricker than securing cabinet doors. There isn’t a good option that doesn’t require installation within the drawer. Thankfully, the Child Safety Drawer Locks by Vkania offer a solution.
These drawer locks include two installation options. First, you can screw the lock into place in the traditional method. Second, you can opt to install the latch using the adhesive strip. Depending on how frequently you use the drawer, you may choose the best option for your home.
The lock opens by easily pressing down on the latch when the drawer is slightly open. This product offers protection from dangerous items like knives, can openers, and vegetable peelers. Plus, if you use the adhesive installation option, you can remove the lock when you are finished without damaging your cabinets.
Overall, Vkania’s Child Proof Drawer Lock keeps both your child and your home safe. These work equally well in kitchens, bathroom,s and utility areas.
The Best Baby Proofing Products for Electrical Outlet Safety
Outlet Plug Covers Clear Child Proof Safety Caps by Jool Baby Products
These are the old school outlet covers parents have used for decades. I like the Child Proof Outlet Plug Covers by Jool Baby Products for their simplicity and affordability.
The one downside to the easy-to-install outlet plugs is the risk of your child removing the plug. For newly crawling infants and young toddlers, the risk is lower. However, for older toddlers and preschoolers, they may be able to take out the plug. You must use your best judgment.
For me, the benefits outweigh the risks. For parents on a tight budget, it’s not reasonable to purchase fancy outlet protectors for every outlet in your home. The Child Proof Outlet Plug Covers by Jool Baby Products provide an affordable way to cover a lot of your home’s plugs.
I think a good strategy is to purchase the higher-priced outlet covers for your baby’s room and play areas. For the areas that your baby spends less time in, use these simple outlet covers. This is a win for your wallet and your child’s safety.
Safety Innovations Twin Door Outlet Box
Do you have plugs in your home that you need to keep safe from your baby or toddler? The Safety Innovations Twin Door Outlet Box offers a great solution. This outlet box works to cover both the outlet and plugged-in items.
While this safety product is likely cost-prohibitive for every outlet in your home, it’s a great option for certain critical places. For example, this works well to cover the outlet your baby monitor is plugged into.
The Safety Innovations Twin Door Outlet Box installs easily with only a screwdriver. It works with a two-button release to prevent curious children from opening the doors. Overall, this is a safe and smart solution to protect electrical outlets that are used often.
Self-Closing Standard Outlet Covers by Safety Innovations
For a lasting solution to protect your children from tampering with the electric outlets, choose self-closing outlet covers. The Self-Closing Standard Outlet Covers by Safety Innovations are easy to install and work on almost any outlet.
If you have the time and budget for a truly safe outlet protection option, these outlet covers replace your existing outlet cover. The holes where you plug in the cord have a built-in closing feature to block the outlet. Plus, once your children are old enough to know better, the product doesn’t need to be replaced.
Unlike many baby safety products, the Self-Closing Standard Outlet Covers blend seamlessly into your home’s design. This product works well to keep your family safe without cramping your style.
How to Child-Proof Your Home
As a parent, you must make many decisions every day. When it comes to childproofing your home, it’s hard to know when and how much intervention is needed.
When to Begin
You can begin the childproofing process at any point; however, it’s best to secure things before your baby starts to crawl.
It’s natural for children to be curious and explore, and this desire will only grow along with them. For their development and your peace of mind, childproofing creates safe spaces for your children to learn and grow.
What to Secure
I found a good rule of thumb was to only protect those things that could cause harm.
I understand it’s annoying to pick up the dish towels that your toddler dumped out of the kitchen cabinet for the hundredth time, but it poses no risk to your child. Plus, it entertains them.
In other words, resist the temptation to child-proof for convenience. Instead, stick to the danger zones like stairs, cabinets with dangerous items, and electrical outlets.
Final Thoughts on Childproofing
The goal is to make your home safe for your child to explore. When childproofing, remember to remove objects that are dangerous, like heavy decorative items or choking hazards.
Also, remember to relax. Home should be safe, but it’s also where your child learns to navigate the world. It’s okay for them to make mistakes and messes. Just try to keep the big risks at bay and let the little things go.
