D.I.Y.: 8 tips to childproof your home

Tommy, 21 months old, couldn't resist the allure of the toilet. Photo: Provided by family.

Children are curious by nature. They climb into places they shouldn’t, are fascinated by fire and run around the house with carefree abandon.

As wonderful as it all sounds, it can also be dangerous. That’s why childproofing your home is a good idea. No, we can’t protect the little ones from ever getting bumps, scrapes and bruises. But we can keep them from badly injuring themselves by taking a few small and inexpensive precautions.

I’ve asked the folks over at DeputyHusbands.com in Alpharetta, Kevin and Janice Walker, to lend us a few tips. The most obvious is putting in plastic outlet covers, but there’s more you can do.

1. Banister Guards: Children love to hang around railings, peering over them and peeking through. It doesn’t matter how high or dangerous it is; they can’t get enough of it. A banister guard or plastic shield, which can be purchased for as little as $20, will help keep the kids away from the ledge, and it won’t ruin your home’s decor.

2. Window safety: The 4-year-old in my house likes to suspend his small action figures from cords attached to the blinds on the window. It poses little threat for a child his age, but for someone younger, loose blind cords and strings dangling from windows are not safe. You can buy inexpensive cord wraps, for about $2.50 each, and use them to keep cords out of reach.

3. Furniture straps: You’d be hard-pressed to find a child who isn’t intrigued by climbing. They’ll climb on top of chairs, tables and anything else within reach and you’re worried that the chair or taple will tip over and cause an accident. While nothing is going to keep your toddler from reaching for higher heights, you can help keep things from falling over with furniture straps. For about $5.00, these straps secure furniture to the wall.

4. Corner covers: The thought of a kid running into the corner of a desk, counter or table top is uncomfortable at best. This is an accident that can be avoided with a simple measure: purchase corner covers. For $10-$15, you can get a pack of four cushions that snap over the corners.

5. Stove guard: There is something about fire that grabs kids’ attention like nothing else. They want to blow out the fire on the gas range like its a candle. They want to touch the pots and turn the knobs. You can have cat-quick reaction time and keep the toddler away. Or, you can buy a stove guard, which costs about $25. It mounts on the front of the stove and sticks up just high enough to keep hot items out of reach.

6. Drawer latches: Want to keep your child away from knives and out of drawers and cabinets in the kitchen? Purchase a few latches that can go over the knobs, and range from $2 to $7, depending upon the type you buy. You can also install levers inside the drawers, though this will take a little more effort.

7. Toilet seat covers: I wish someone could explain to me why kids want to put anything they can get their hands on inside of a toilet. They are absolutely fascinated by swimming toys and the like. It’s not bad until they flush, and the result is a plumbing issue. Avoid such a disaster with a lid lock. The styles vary, as do the prices, but you shouldn’t have to pay more than $25 for even the best locks.

8. Fireplace padding: As the weather cools, you’re likely to light up the fireplace. Keep children safe with a hearth guard. This isn’t cheap, though. Expect to pay at least $60 in most instances for padding that will go around the hearth.