What does childproofing consist of, and when should I do it?
It is never to early to start childproofing your home, we recommend that it be done when your child is around 3-6 months of age, before he/she can crawl. Don’t wait for your child to start opening cabinets or trying to climb the stairs before you childproof your home. Do it as soon as you can, and as thoroughly as possible to help prevent the number one cause of injury to children (unintentional injuries).
There are several items that you may need in order to properly babyproof your home. Here are a few suggestions of the most commonly needed items. Your home may need more or less of these items.
- Baby Safety Gates: Safety gates are to help prevent falls down stairs, and to block off rooms or areas that may be unsafe for a child. For the top of the stairs, use gates that install into the walls with mounting hardware (screws). Pressure gates can be used to block off rooms, and to block baby from climbing up the stairs. If you have molding, banisters, hollow walls, or wrought iron where you need to install a gate, you may need to purchase a gate installation kit to create a ‘mountable’ surface for your gate.
- Locks and Latches: Cabinets and drawers can house very hazardous materials that could harm your child. Safety locks and latches help secure cabinets and drawers that may have items that your child should not have access to (such as cleaning products, cosmetics, medicines, sharp objects like scissors or knives, etc.).
- Outlet Covers, Outlet Plates, and Outlet Plugs: These items can help prevent electrocution. Outlet covers are generally for outlets where you consistently have an item plugged in (like a lamp), but don’t need frequent access to the outlet. Outlet Plates are generally used for outlets that you frequently plug and unplug items into (i.e. where you would plug in the vacuum). Outlet Plugs are great for filling outlets that don’t get used often.
- Window blind cord wraps: Help shorten the excess cord from window blinds that can be a strangulation hazard to a child. Window blind cords should always be kept out of children’s reach. Be sure that cribs, beds, etc. are kept away from windows.
- Door Locks and Door Knob Covers: Help prevent access to areas or rooms that your child should not have access to (such as garages, patios, etc.)
- Toilet locks: Children can drown in very small amounts of water, including water in the toilet. Toilet locks install onto the toilet to help keep the lid closed, and children out.
- Table Edge Guards and cushions: Applied to sharp corners and table edges can help minimize the bumps and bruises caused by falling onto tables and running into sharp corners. Most can also be used on fireplace hearths!
- Window Guards: Installed into the windows of second story (and above) rooms can help prevent falls from windows. Window guards can be removed by an adult in the event of an emergency.
- Smoke detectors and Carbon Monoxide Detectors: There should be a smoke detector and a carbon monoxide detector mounted on every floor of the home
Buying products isn’t the only thing that childproofing consists of. It also means moving things, putting things out of reach, locking things away, using safe, healthy practices, and supervising children. Talk to other parents, find out what they did to safeguard their children, ask your child’s pediatrician for childproofing tips that are appropriate for your child’s age, do everything you can do to become more educated on what it takes to keep your child safe at home!
How much does it cost?
Cost varies depending on each individual situation. Most jobs average between $300 to $1500. The two most important factors in determining cost are the size of your home and how much childproofing you want to do. You will receive an itemized estimate (materials and labor) during your home safety consultation–this will give you the best indication of what it would cost to childproof your home.
Can you do the estimate and the installation all the same day?
Yes. We are fully capable of accommodating this request if you are absolutely sure you are ready to have your home childproofed. We ask only that you let us know beforehand so we can plan our schedule accordingly.
I have some childproofing products already–can you install them for me?
It depends. There are many, many child safety products on the market. Some are well-made, others are not. We would be happy to install products you have already purchased if, in our experience and judgment, we know the products to be safe, durable, and effective.
Can I purchase the products from you and install them myself?
Yes, just remember child safety products are only effective when properly installed.
Do your gates work for dogs as well as babies?
Yes, we often install gates to prevent dogs from having access to certain areas of the home. Dog owners love our gates because they are durable and blend well with the decor of most homes. Our gates can also be easily removed from the wall mountings when needed.
I am looking for something to go around my treadmill. Any suggestions?
The Kidco Configure Gate G80 generally works well for childproofing the space around a treadmill and other exercise equipment. Unlike standard baby safety gates that only mount in a straight line, the Kidco Configure Gate G80 can be customized to fit almost any shape and size that you need. It’s good for around treadmills, to surround stairways, blocking off entryways, even around Christmas trees.
I need a child safety gate for the top of a staircase but one side is wall and the other is a metal handrail (wrought iron). I cannot use a pressure system because of the stair use and I cannot use a hardware mount system because of the metal railing side. What can I do?
A wrought iron railing is common in stairways of many older homes and apartments. For mounting a gate to this type of railing, try Kidco Safety Gate Installation Kit K10 which can be used to create a ‘frame’ around the wrought iron railing. Hardware mounted gates can then be mounted into this ‘frame.’
What’s the recommended maximum distance between banisters?
As a general rule, banisters that have vertical or horizontal openings wider than 4″ can pose a safety risk for children. This includes banisters inside and outside of the house. Banister guards clear plexi-shields, can be attached to banisters to close off the gaps and help prevent accidents from falls through the railings and from becoming stuck in the railings. Banister guards also help prevent children from climbing up balusters.
