Infant and Toddler Safety Supplies

Page Updated on July 28, 2007

Babyproof / Toddlerproof your home NOW! Even if you're still pregnant and haven't had the baby yet, baby proof now. Once your child is born, you'll be amazed by how little time you have to work on projects, like babyproofing your home. You'll be even more amazed by how quickly they learn to grab things you thought was out of their reach. You don't need to go overboard and buy everything in the safety section of the baby store (but I'm sure the baby store owners would be happy if you did), but you will need to have some basics:

Baby monitor (1) Most baby monitors let you just hear when your baby is making noise in the next room. Some have lights to visually get your attention as well. There are even ones that vibrate in case you have the receiver attached to your belt. My favorite, and the ones I absolutely recommend, are the ones that not only detect baby's sounds but also baby's movements. Most new parents learn quickly that the fear of SIDS is simply terrifying. You end up checking your baby every few minutes to make sure she's still breathing while she's sleeping. You have a hard time falling to sleep because you worry, and every time you open your eyes, you immediately rush to the crib to make sure everything is okay. A monitor that detects motion will sound an alarm if your baby stops moving (even movement from breathing). Some will even sound a "tick" every time the baby moves, so you can hear if she's moving a lot or just a little. This has been a huge tool of relief for many parents.

The Bebe Sounds Movement and Sound Monitor® is expensive, but it's worth every penny. It detects movement and has a tick that will sound with every one of baby's movements. (You can turn the tick off if it annoys you.) Plus it detects sound and has lights on the monitor to grab your attention when your child makes noise. I can't say enough about this monitor. I buy it for all of my expectant friends.

Electrical Outlet Covers (1 for each outlet) There are many different kinds of outlet covers. There are the old fashioned plastic tabs that plug into the outlet, but those are just too easy for curious toddlers to pull out. Instead, get the modern relatives of those safety plugs, which actually lock into the outlet. You'll need to push in at least two buttons on the side of the safety plug for it to come out of the outlet, and toddlers just aren't usually coordinated enough to do it. If you are actually using an outlet, you'll want to have a cover that covers up the outlet as well as the plugs. This way, your little one can't unplug the lamp and stick his fingers in the outlet.

Safety Gates (1 for each area you want to block off) I highly recommend getting a safety gate that you screw into the door frame or wall. They're less likely to come loose when little ones push on them repeatedly, and there is a smaller chance of accidentally not securing them correctly every time you put it up. Plus they're easier to open and close with one hand like a door rather than completely removed and reinstalled each time you need to get through them. If you have an awkward space that needs to be blocked off, such as a room that doesn't have a doorway but instead opens up to another room, you'll need to purchase a gate that can stretch across the opening to that space.

I prefer the Superyard XT for gating in awkward spaces. It's not as attractive as some of the more expensive gates that are permanently fixed to the wall until you unbolt them, but when set up properly, ensuring stability, it is incredibly effective. Its configuration can change as your needs change as well. We started off using it to divide up our living room into a large play area and a less baby friendly adult area. As our children started demanding more space, we could move the gate to accommodate their needs, eventually gating off entire rooms. When we moved to our new home, the gate turned into a spacious play pen to keep the kids out of the way of the movers. The gate is also portable, so you could take it to the beach, set it up as a play pen, and let your kids play in the sand in a quarantined area, confident that they won't run off. When the kids outgrow it, you can use it to keep control of your new puppy.

Cabinet and Drawer Locks (one for each cabinet / drawer you want to keep off limits) I highly recommend locks that fit on the inside of your cabinet or drawer (because external locks are unattractive). Spend a few extra bucks to buy the locks that can fold down. This way, when you no longer need the locks, just fold them down rather then removing them. If you end up having a guest with small children, you can quickly fold them back into their locking positions, ensuring your guests' kids will be in a safer environment. Locks that fold away are also useful when you have someone watching your home while you are out of town; you're house sitter won't have to fumble with the locks if you fold them into the unlocked positions before you leave; then just fold them back into the locked position when you return. I would avoid any lock that requires a key (including locks that require a magnet) because you WILL lose it when you need it the most.
Toilet Locks (1 per toilet) The bathroom should be off limits anyhow, but never underestimate the ability of a child to find ways into forbidden rooms. A toilet lock will act as extra security if your child manages to get into the bathroom. Not only do you not want your child playing with toilet water, but you definitely don't want your child near a potential drowning site. Toilets are a common place for older infants and toddlers to drown.
Door Locks You need to lock your child out of dangerous rooms (or the room where you're keeping those Christmas gifts). You can purchase covers that fit onto the doorknob or handle, so your little one can't turn the knob to open it, or you can install a lock on the outside of the door, high enough so that even you have to reach up to lock and unlock it (just in case the kid gets smart enough to get on a chair to reach it). I prefer the latter method (installing a lock high up on the outside of the door) because I've seen toddlers figure out how to open the door using those doorknob covers. There are many locks to choose from. You could have something heavy duty, like a dead bolt put in, or go for something a bit less overkill, such as a hook and eye latch or even some of those sliding bar latches you see in public bathroom stalls.
Brackets to Brace Furniture to the Wall This is one of those things many parents don't think about and regretfully forget to do. The type of bracket you'll need will depend on the item you are fastening to the wall. Any piece of furniture (especially anything with shelves or drawers) should be fastened to the wall. This will prevent the item from falling over onto the child if the child tries to climb up it, which they will. (Recently a sad couple in my state woke up to find their toddler crushed to death by a not-so-big dresser in his bedroom. Their child was playing in his baby-proofed room while everyone else was still sleeping, tried to climb up the dresser, and the whole thing tipped over onto him, killing him. Don't think it can't happen to you.)
Railing Nets / Gates / Screens / Wall / Etc. Unless you're sure that the railing in your home has rails that meet crib safety standards, invest in some of this. #1 It will keep your child from getting stuck in between the rails (they stick their little heads and bodies in the weirdest places). #2 If they can't get stuck in it, they can't strangle to death in it. #3 If they slip through the railing, they can't fall through to the other side (especially important for railing on balconies and staircases because if they fall through, chances are there won't be a floor close enough to catch them without harm or death).