Google "childproofing" and you'll find companies that charge $500-$1,000 to baby-proof your home. That's money most new parents don't have. The good news? You can do 90% of it yourself for under $100.
The Free Stuff
Some of the most important safety steps cost literally nothing:
Rearrange furniture. Move heavy items away from windows. Push the couch against that bookshelf so it can't tip. Relocate floor lamps behind larger furniture.
Store things differently. Move cleaning supplies to high cabinets. Put medications on the top shelf. Keep small objects off low tables.
Lower the water heater. Turn it to 120°F or below. Takes 5 minutes, prevents scald burns.
Get on the floor. Crawl around each room and pick up every small object you find. Do this weekly.
Under $20
Outlet covers or sliding plates: A bag of plug-in covers costs $3. Sliding plate covers run about $3-5 each. Do the rooms where your baby spends the most time first.
Cabinet locks: A pack of adhesive cabinet locks costs $8-12 and covers 6-8 cabinets. Prioritize under the kitchen and bathroom sinks.
Door knob covers: $5-8 for a pack of 4. Keeps toddlers out of bathrooms and other off-limits rooms.
Toilet locks: $5-7 each. Get one for every bathroom your child can access.
$20-50
Furniture straps: A pack of 6 anti-tip straps runs about $10-15. Anchor your dressers, bookshelves, and TV stand. This is one of the most important safety purchases you'll make.
Foam edge guards: $10-15 for a set that covers a coffee table. Cut to fit any sharp furniture edge.
One baby gate: Pressure-mounted gates for doorways start around $25. Get one for the most important location first (usually the kitchen or stairs).
$50-100
Additional baby gates: You'll probably want 2-3 total. Hardware-mounted gates for stairs cost $30-50 each.
Cord covers: $10-15 per pack. Cover exposed electrical cords along baseboards and behind entertainment centers.
Non-slip bath mats: $10-15 for inside the tub, another $10 for the floor mat.
DIY Tricks
Pool noodles as edge guards. Cut a pool noodle lengthwise and slide it over sharp furniture edges. Looks goofy but works great. Cost: $2.
Hair ties as cabinet locks. Loop hair ties around double cabinet knobs to hold them shut. Not as secure as real locks, but good in a pinch.
Rubber bands on door latches. Wrap a thick rubber band around both door knobs in a figure-8 to keep the latch from engaging. Prevents finger-smashing in doors.
Priority Order
- If you can only spend $20 right now, here's what I'd buy:
- Furniture straps ($10)
- Cabinet locks for under kitchen/bathroom sinks ($8)
- Outlet covers for the living room ($3)
Those three things address the most common serious injuries. Everything else can wait a few weeks.
Don't Overspend
Baby-proofing companies sell a lot of stuff you don't need. Fancy corner guards, decorative outlet covers, motion-sensor cabinet locks. The basic stuff works just as well. Focus on function, not aesthetics.