Renting with a baby is a constant negotiation between safety and your security deposit. You need cabinet locks but can't drill into the cabinets. You need a baby gate but can't screw into the door frame. You need to anchor that bookshelf but the landlord said no holes in the walls.
It's frustrating. But there are solutions for almost everything.
Cabinet and Drawer Locks
Adhesive-mount magnetic locks are your best friend. They stick inside the cabinet with 3M adhesive strips and come off cleanly with a hair dryer and some patience. No drills, no screws, no visible damage.
For drawers, adhesive latches work the same way. Apply them when you move in, remove them when you move out. If you use a hair dryer to warm the adhesive for 30 seconds before peeling, they come off without pulling up paint or finish.
Baby Gates
Pressure-mounted gates are designed for renters. They wedge between walls using spring tension and rubber pads, leaving zero damage. Use them for bottom-of-stairs, hallway, and doorway applications.
For top-of-stairs (where pressure-mounted isn't safe enough), look for gates that mount to a tension pole system or use clamp-style hardware. Some brands make gates that clamp onto the banister post without any screws.
If you absolutely must hardware-mount at the top of stairs, talk to your landlord. Frame it as a safety issue. Many landlords will allow small screw holes for baby gates, especially if you agree to patch them when you move out. A dab of spackle and touch-up paint costs nothing.
Outlet Covers
Sliding outlet plate covers require removing the existing plate and replacing it with the safety version. This takes about 60 seconds with a screwdriver and is completely reversible — just swap the original plate back before move-out. Keep the original plates in a bag.
Furniture Anchoring
This is the trickiest one. Anti-tip straps for dressers and bookshelves usually screw into wall studs. For renters, there are a few alternatives:
Furniture anchoring straps that use heavy-duty adhesive hooks rated for 40+ pounds. They're not as strong as screws into studs, but they're dramatically better than nothing.
Some people use L-brackets with toggle bolts, which leave small holes that are easy to patch. This is technically drilling, but the damage is minimal and easily repaired.
For TVs, anti-tip straps that loop around the TV stand legs and anchor to a furniture strap on the wall work without any permanent mounting.
The honest truth: if your dresser poses a tip-over risk and your landlord won't let you screw into the wall, a few small patched holes are worth more than your child's safety. Most landlords won't even notice properly patched nail holes during move-out inspection.
Cord Management
Blind cords can be managed with cord wraps or cleats mounted with adhesive. No drilling needed. For window blinds, ask your landlord about replacing corded blinds with cordless ones — some will do it because it's a safety liability issue for them too.
For lamp and device cords, adhesive cord clips run them along the baseboard and out of reach. They peel off cleanly.
Temporary Solutions for Common Problems
Sharp corners: Adhesive corner guards that peel off cleanly.
Toilet lock: Adhesive mount, no tools needed.
Door lever locks: Clip-on, no modification required.
Stove knob covers: Just pop on and off.
Fridge lock: Adhesive strap that wraps around the handle.
When you Move out
Budget an hour for de-baby-proofing before move-out. Hair dryer for adhesives, spackle for any holes, touch-up paint if needed. Swap back the original outlet covers. Remove gate padding from walls.
Most of the damage from baby-proofing is cosmetic and minor. A deposit deduction for patching a few holes is typically $20-50. A deposit deduction for not baby-proofing your house is... well, that's not a financial cost. That's a different kind of cost entirely.
Protect your kid first. The deposit will sort itself out.