Now that baby is in the picture, are you feeling like everywhere you look, there’s an accident waiting to happen? You may not be totally exaggerating—there are lots of potential hazards scattered around the house. Babyproofing your home is the best way to avoid scary incidents and put your mind at ease.
Preparations can take time, so it’s best to get started on the essentials—like investing in a first aid kit, installing smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and removing any potential slip-hazards—before baby is on the scene. Once your little one starts to crawl (around the 6- to 10-month mark) you’ll need to do another round of childproofing: Place dangerous items out of reach, secure windows and doors and install baby gates as needed.
Feeling overwhelmed by the long list of Safety requirements? Don’t sweat it. Thankfully, there are tons of innovative babyproofing items designed to help parents keep their little ones out of harm’s way. Below, check out the best Babyproofing Products on the market—plus, some safety tips from experts.
What To Look For in Babyproofing Products
According to Bengt Lager, president of Qdos Safety, “all babyproofing products are not made the same.” With that in mind, he advises parents to choose safety products that are easy to install and user-friendly—this way, they’ll be used properly. “For example,” Lager says, “if you have a baby gate, but you never shut it, it’s useless, or if you have cabinet locks that you let just dangle without being latched because they’re hard for parents to use, they’re setting themselves up for failure and their children up for danger.”
What’s more, you should examine the stability of each babyproofing product. Do this by inspecting “hinges, moving part or springs to ensure baby’s fingers, hands or feet can’t get caught in them,” says Alexis Phillips-Walker, DO, a pediatrician at Memorial Hermann Medical Group Pediatrics in Atascocita, Texas. “All straps, small parts and coverings should be durable and secure for proper function,” she adds. Phillips-Walker advises parents to double-check that their babyproofing products are up to standard by looking on the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) website.
When it comes to choosing what types of babyproofing products you’ll need for your house, Lager suggests “concentrating on areas that can have very serious consequences like furniture tip-overs and falls down stairs.” To prevent accidents around the house, you could set up baby gates at every staircase and use secure anchors throughout the home, not just on nursery furniture. So that you’re always prepared, stock up on cabinet drawer and door locks, electric outlet plugs, corner protectors and door slam guards. Last but not least, Lager and Phillips-Walker remind parents that if they have a pool, they should use layers of protection (like a fence and a pool alarm) installed for their little one’s safety.
Babyproofing Safety Tips To Consider
In addition to installing and using babyproofing products correctly, there are also several safety considerations you should keep to of mind. For instance, Lager advises parents to “always remove household chemicals from cabinets a child can access and place them completely out of reach.” Likewise, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) further recommends removing dangling cords, placing non-slip mats in bathtubs and keeping hazardous items (like batteries) completely out of reach. While they aren’t baby-specific, smoke and carbon mobile detectors should also be installed and tested once a month, says Phillips-Walker. If you and baby regularly visit the home of a relative or friend, don’t forget to have them childproof their living spaces as well. Last but not least, Phillips-Walker advises parents to start early! “I would recommend implementing these safety measures before your child starts crawling since we do not know when this will occur,” she says.
Best Babyproofing Products To Shop
From door knob covers to magnetic cabinet locks, we’ve rounded up the best babyproofing products that are functional, easy-to-use and, most importantly, safe. Here, shop a range of parent-approved picks.
Overall best babyproofing kit
Image: Walmart
Not sure where to begin when it comes to the world of babyproofing products? Luckily, this kit of essentials will get you started off on the right foot. With it, you’ll receive 46 pieces, including 30 outlet covers, 12 cabinet and drawer latches and four door knob covers. This way, you’ll be able to make several living spaces in your home infant-friendly. Best of all, this babyproofing kit rings in at under $10—score!
Dimensions: N/A | Material: Polypropylene | Mount type: Hardware mount; adhesive backing
- Starter kit complete with 46 items to babyproof multiple living spaces
- Affordable price point
- Some reviewers say the door knob covers didn’t fit their door knobs properly
Best cabinet locks
Image: Walmart
What adult hasn’t been frustrated by a childproof cabinet lock? (Guilty as charged!) They’re often a pain to open and, frankly, ugly to look at. Luckily, Safety 1st has come up with a brilliant solution. Instead of attaching locks on the outside of your kitchen cabinets, this magnetic locking system is installed inside, leaving the exterior looking pristine. To open the door, simply use the magnetic key, which you can conveniently store nearby. Once they’re no longer needed, you can switch off the locks without having to remove the entire unit.
Dimensions: 1.5” (L) x 1” (W) x 2” (H) (for one lock) | Material: Plastic | Mount type: Adhesive backing
- Discreet design that’s easy for adults to use
- Can be disengaged for periods of non-use
- Tool-free assembly
- Also available in packs of two, four and eight locks
- High price point compared to other options
- Reviewers say to test them before use
Best outlet covers
Image: Walmart
Covering up electrical outlets is key to keeping mischievous little fingers away. Instead of dealing with bulky, unsightly safety covers or separate plugs that you need to take in and out, opt for something a little more streamlined. That’s where outlet covers from Safety Innovations come into play. They look just like your standard casing but have a clever mechanism that automatically slides shut once a device is unplugged. The wall plates are easy to install with options for standard single-screw fittings as well as double-screw decor outlets.
Dimensions: 3” (L) x 0.3” (W) x 4.4” (H) | Material: N/A | Mount type: Hardware mount
- Slightly oversized design for long-term protection that won’t damage existing outlets
- Slides shut automatically for added safety
- Discreet aesthetic won’t be an eyesore on your walls
- Minimal assembly required; only a screwdriver is needed
Best door knob covers
Image: Walmart
Door knob covers are classic babyproofing products, and with good reason. Once baby is stable on two feet and learns how to twist a handle, they’ll be able to go to previously off-limits areas with ease. Luckily, these childproof designs offer a strong, secure solution. When installed, they’ll prevent your little explorer from opening doors—while still remaining easy for you to grip when you need to move through your home. Better yet, you can choose from three colors—white, gray and black—to find the option that best aligns with your living space.
Dimensions: 2.8” (L) x 2.8” (W) x 2.2” (H) | Material: Polypropylene | Mount type: Pressure mounted
- Easy for parents to grip, but difficult for children to hold on to
- Comes in three colors to blend in with your home decor
- Fits most standard door knobs; check the dimensions before purchasing
Best baby corner guards
Image: Amazon
If baby is starting to pull themselves up to stand or taking their first teetering steps, you’ll quickly notice all the sharp, menacing-looking table corners around your home. Covering everything with bubble wrap would certainly do the trick, but to keep baby safe and maintain your decor aesthetic, go with these clear plastic corner guards instead. The clever protectors are flexible and reusable, and can be installed in as little as one minute—what’s not to love?
Dimensions: 3.2” (L) x 1.6” (H) | Material: Polyvinyl chloride | Mount type: Adhesive backing
- Easy to install; won’t leave marks behind when removed
- Discreet design won’t look out of place in your home
- Also available in packs of 18 and 24
- Some reviewers said the adhesive wore off over an extended period of time
Best stove guards
Image: Walmart
The kitchen is home to plenty of potential hazards for curious tots, especially when it comes to cooking appliances. Luckily, simple measures—like turning pot handles toward the back wall and installing guards on the stove and oven—can help safeguard your child. That’s why these stove knob covers are among the best babyproofing products out there. The clear design has a strong, hinged lid that parents can easily flip up, but is tamper-resistant to prevent kids from turning up the heat. Plus, the covers are durable, heat-resistant and easy to install.
Dimensions: 2.5” (L) x 2.5” (W) 1.75” (H) | Material: Plastic | Mount type: N/A
- Hinged lid offers easy access for adults
- Straightforward to install and remove
- Discreet, transparent design won’t be an eyesore in your kitchen
- Fits most standard stove knobs
Best multipurpose babyproofing strap
Image: Walmart
It’s not just cabinets you’ll want to keep locked—drawers with sharp objects, toilet seat covers and appliances also need to stay shut. Phillips-Walker advises parents to “use safety latches and locks for cabinets and drawers in kitchens, bathrooms and other areas to help prevent poisoning and other injuries.” These latches can prevent children from obtaining access to medicines, laundry detergent, cleaning supplies or other hazards, she adds. With all that in mind, these multipurpose straps are just the thing you need. The flexible latches around corners, and the dual-button release makes it that much harder for savvy toddlers to figure out. When they’re not in use, you can release and rotate the locks out of the way. Best of all, they’re a piece of cake to install and won’t leave unsightly marks.
Dimensions: 6.8” (L) x 4.7” (W) x 1.3” (H) | Material: N/A | Mount type: Adhesive backing
- Flexible straps allow you to latch around corners
- Dual button release is tricky for tots, easy for adults
- Versatile design can be used anywhere in the home
- Adhesive may work better on some surfaces than others
- Some reviewers say they wish the straps were slightly longer
Best pour spout covers
Image: Skip Hop
When it’s time for a bath, don’t let safety concerns keep you and baby from having a whale of a time. Fixtures tend to be big and hard with unforgiving corners, but this adorable spout cover will help you keep bathtime bump-free. The adjustable strap offers a near-universal fit and the curved tail doubles as a handy storage hook. Pro tip: Skip Hop offers some of the best babyproofing products for bathtime, including a matching non-slip bath mat and even a cushioned elbow and knee rest for parents.
Dimensions: 7” (L) x 3” (W) x 4.5” (H) | Material: Rubber | Mount type: N/A
- Cute design made from mold- and mildew-resistant material
- Easy-to-adjust strap for added stability
- Tail hooks onto spout when not in use
- Wipe clean and dry thoroughly before storing
- Not intended to be used as a toy
Best TV safety straps
Image: Best Buy
Toddlers often see their home as a veritable jungle gym, but their climbing efforts can throw items off balance. That’s why securing furniture and large devices (like a television) to the wall is essential to babyproofing. Safety 1st safety straps offer multiple layers of protection, as you can secure your TV to its stand and a piece of furniture to the wall. And like many of the best babyproofing products on this list, these straps are super-easy to install—score!
Dimensions: 53” (L) x 1” (W) x 0.1” (H) | Material: Nylon | Mount type: Pressure mounted
- Pack of four secures up to two TVs
- Can be installed in four different configurations
- Tools may be needed for installation
- Some reviewers say the screws that came with these straps were difficult to install
Best furniture anchors for babyproofing
Image: Amazon
Like TV safety straps, furniture anchors achieve a similar result. The versatile babyproofing products come in a convenient pack of 10, and can be used to secure pretty much any piece of furniture in your home, from a changing table to a bookcase. The stable straps are made out of durable nylon and have a quick release lock for whenever you need to move your furniture. For the best results, use two straps per TV or item you’re securing.
Dimensions: 9.8” (L) x 5.9” (W) x 0.8” (H) | Material: Nylon | Mount type: Hardware mounted
- Parents love how these straps are easy-to-install
- Versatile design can be used to childproof anywhere in the home
- Quick release lock so parents can move furniture without any added hassle
- Installation required; all necessary hardware is provided
How We Chose the Best Babyproofing Products
We get it—parenting requires a lot of gear, and it can be hard to figure out what’s essential for your new family. That’s why we browsed dozens of babyproofing products from trusted brands and online retailers, so you don’t have to spend hours scrolling. We chose products based on several factors, such as value, ease of use, quality and durability and, of course, safety. This way you can count on getting the best bang for your buck, while also having a dependable product that will meet your family’s needs.
What’s more, we read user reviews to get the low-down on how these products have worked for real families, and didn’t consider anything with less than an average four-star rating. To make sure we’re highlighting products that are safe and effective, we chatted with a pediatrician and the president of a company that specializes in babyproofing equipment. This way, you’ll know what essential features and safety considerations to keep top of mind as you shop. We also followed the safety recommendations of the AAP.
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