When your baby starts crawling, suddenly everything looks dangerous. But not everything that's marketed as essential actually is. Here's the practical guide.
The Real Priorities
Critical (Do These)
1. Stairs: Gates at top and bottom. Non-negotiable.
2. Furniture tip-over: Anchor heavy furniture, especially bookcases and dressers.
3. Blind cords: Strangulation risk. Replace with cordless or fit cord cleats.
4. Window safety: Window restrictors on anything above ground floor.
5. Water temperature: Set cylinder thermostat to 60°C max to prevent scalding.
Important (Do Soon)
- Cupboard locks (cleaning products, medicines)
- Socket covers (debatable - see below)
- Door finger guards
- Corner protectors on sharp furniture edges
- Secure freestanding mirrors
Marketing Hype (Usually Unnecessary)
- Toilet locks (unless you have a particularly determined climber)
- Every single drawer locked
- Foam everything
- Elaborate door handle covers
Stair Gates
Types
Pressure-fit:
- No drilling required
- Easy to install and remove
- Must be fitted in a proper doorway/opening
- NOT suitable for top of stairs (can be pushed out)
Screw-fit:
- Permanent fixing to walls
- Much more secure
- Required at top of stairs
- Can be installed on awkward openings
Installation Tips
For pressure-fit:
- Measure opening carefully
- Fit rubber pads to prevent wall damage
- Check fit is tight (shouldn't rock)
- Test regularly - they loosen
For screw-fit:
- Find studs or use appropriate wall plugs
- Follow height guidelines
- Ensure gate opens away from stairs
- Check hinges are secure
Common problems:
- Wide openings need extension kits
- Unusual wall angles need angled brackets
- Skirting boards can interfere (may need to remove section)
Cost to fit: £40-60 per gate (supply + fit)
Furniture Anchoring
What Needs Anchoring
Essential:
- Tall bookcases
- Chests of drawers
- TV stands
- Freestanding wardrobes
Why it matters: Furniture falling on children causes deaths every year. A toddler pulling on a drawer to climb is enough to topple unsecured furniture.
How to Anchor
Anti-tip straps (easiest):
- Strap attaches to back of furniture
- Other end screws to wall stud
- Allows furniture to be pulled out slightly for cleaning
- Prevents tipping
L-brackets (most secure):
- Bracket screws to furniture top
- Other side screws to wall
- More permanent
- Need to hit stud or use suitable plugs
For IKEA furniture: Free anti-tip kits available from IKEA. Use them.
Window Safety
Window Restrictors
Required on:
- Any openable window above ground floor
- Any window a child could reach
Types:
- Key-locking (most secure)
- Push-button release
- Cable restrictors
- Opening limiters built into handle
Opening limit: Maximum 100mm gap (can't fit a child's head through)
Installation: Usually simple - screw-fix to frame and sash. 10 minutes per window.
Cost: £30-50 per window fitted
Blind Cord Safety
The Risk
Looped blind cords can strangle a child in seconds. This isn't paranoia - it happens.
Solutions
Best: Replace with cordless blinds Good: Install cord cleats high on wall Minimum: Keep cords out of reach (difficult in practice)
Cord cleats:
- Wrap cord around cleat when not in use
- Install at adult head height
- Check regularly - habits slip
Kitchen Safety
Cupboards and Drawers
Lock these:
- Under sink (cleaning products)
- Anywhere with sharp items
- Medicine cupboards
- Where you store plastic bags
Lock types:
- Magnetic locks (hidden, neat)
- Adhesive catches (easy install, less reliable)
- Sliding locks (visible but secure)
Hob and Oven
Options:
- Hob guard (physical barrier)
- Turn pan handles inward (free)
- Oven door lock (if your oven supports it)
- Keep children out of kitchen while cooking (most effective)
Bathroom Safety
Must-Do
Hot water:
- Set thermostat to prevent scalding
- Consider thermostatic taps
- Test water before bathing
Medicines:
- High, locked cabinet
- Not in the bathroom (humidity damages medicine anyway)
Nice to Have
Non-slip bath mat Spout cover (padding on tap) Step stool (supervised - prevents climbing on toilet)
Probably Unnecessary
Toilet lock (unless child keeps flushing toys)
Socket Covers: The Debate
Why They're Sold
Marketing suggests children will poke things into sockets.
Why Many Experts Say No
UK sockets are already safe:
- Shutters prevent access unless plug inserted
- Socket covers can actually defeat the safety mechanism
- Some covers can be removed and choked on
What to Do
- Teach children not to play with sockets
- Ensure sockets are in good condition
- Cover unused sockets if it makes you feel better, but choose quality covers
Door Safety
Finger Guards
Where needed:
- Hinge side of doors (where little fingers go)
- Main risk is child's fingers crushed as door closes
Types:
- Foam guards (temporary, not very effective)
- Plastic hinge guards (better)
- Finger guard strips (best)
Door Stops
Prevent doors slamming, reducing noise and finger risk.
Locks
- Bathroom: Bolt high, out of reach
- Front door: Chain or bolt at adult height
Outside
Garden Safety
Fences and gates:
- No gaps big enough to climb through
- Gate latches too high/complex for toddlers
Water:
- Ponds: Cover or fence
- Paddling pools: Empty after use
- Water butts: Secure lid
Plants:
- Remove or fence off toxic plants
- Common dangerous ones: foxglove, laburnum, yew
Sheds:
- Keep locked
- Store tools and chemicals out of reach
What I Can Help With
Installation Services
- Stair gate fitting (pressure or screw-fit)
- Furniture anchoring
- Window restrictor installation
- Blind cord safety
- Cupboard lock fitting
- Door finger guards
Time and Cost
| Job | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Single stair gate | 15-30 min | £40-60 inc. gate |
| Furniture anchoring (per item) | 15-20 min | £25-35 |
| Window restrictors (per window) | 10-15 min | £30-50 inc. parts |
| Full house child-proofing | 2-4 hours | £150-300 |
New baby on the move? I do child-proofing packages across Exeter - get everything done properly in one visit. Call 01392 964094 or get a quote.
Sam Hembury
Sam is the founder of Hembury Contracting, providing professional handyman services across Exeter and Devon. With years of experience in property maintenance, he shares practical tips to help homeowners tackle common tasks.
