Baby proofing is on any parent with young children in mind, but no matter how many times people tell you, you still aren’t quite prepared. You'll look around as your baby crawls right over to the lamp cord and think to yourself how you really had no idea how many dangerous things were just around your living room.
Thankfully, there are plenty of products that can help make baby proofing easy. Mulberry Unlimited can protect all of your purchases under the same protection plan, with unlimited coverage and claims. Shop with the Mulberry browser extension to learn more, and find the best product protection available.
How can you baby proof your house?
Check out some of the best baby proofing products and tried and true ways to baby proof your house to prepare for your little one on the move.
Baby proof cabinets
Many people store chemicals, cleaners, and other harmful substances in cabinets under sinks. For this reason, we suggest making cabinets one of the first things to tackle when baby proofing.
There are a few ways to baby proof cabinets:
- If you have double cabinets with 2 handles next to each other (commonly found under kitchen or bathroom sinks), then there are simple cabinet slide locks that go on the outside of the handles. You either loop the lock through or around the handles (depending on what yours look like), pull it tight enough to create some tension, and then your baby is unable to open the cabinets. When you’re ready to open them, press the button, slide it out to release the tension, and open the cabinet.
- If you’re worried about your baby getting around a slide lock, there are magnetic cabinet locks that keep the cabinet completely sealed until you put a magnet over the locking device. The locking lever pulls down and then the cabinet is free to open.
- If you want one solution to baby proof cabinets and drawers, you can get a multipack of cabinet and drawer latches. These latches stick onto the cabinet and allow the cabinet to open slightly - just enough for you to push your finger down to release the latch. Think of these as just a manual version of the magnetic cabinet locks.
Baby proof drawers
Another way to baby proof your drawers is using a baby proofing strap. This prevents your baby from being able to open the drawer at all. The straps go over the top of the drawer and onto a non-movable surface. To open, you press a button to release the strap and can use the drawer like usual.
These straps are also great for things like ovens, microwaves, fridges, and any other devices you don’t want your child getting into. Make sure if you’re using it on a surface that gets hot, like an oven, that the strap is rated for heat.
Baby proof door handle
Your baby won’t be able to open the doors until well into toddlerhood, but preparing for this day up-front is better than waiting and having to scramble. Depending on the type of door handles you have, you might not have to modify them too much.
- For example, if you have interior doors with pinhole locks, you can simply lock the doors. To get back into the rooms, keep the pinhole keys at the top of the doorframe or another location out of your baby’s reach, and you can easily get in.
- For round door knobs that aren’t pinhole locks, there are grip and twist locks that prevent your child from being able to properly open the round knob. You clip them around the outside of the knob, grip down on the baby proofed door handle, and twist it open.
- For lever door handles, there are devices you can stick to the door that block both the top and bottom of the lever from moving enough to open. Most have a button that you push in and the blocking device will swing out of the way, allowing the door lever to be pushed up or down.
How to save on the best baby proofing products
When it comes to safety, it’s easy to say you’ll spare no expense. But when funds are tight, you might have to make some tough choices. We have a couple of suggestions to help you save on baby proofing products:
- Buy whole home kits. These whole home baby proofing kits usually have everything you need (and then some), and typically cost significantly less than purchasing all the items individually.
- Register for baby proofing products. Even if they don’t get purchased, many retailers like Target or BuyBuyBaby give you a discount on any items still left on your registry, so you can splurge on the best baby proofing products, without breaking the bank.
Protect your purchases with Mulberry
If these baby proofing products are going to last multiple toddlers, you might want to be prepared for a few to break along the way. Even the sturdiest of products can’t keep up with a rambunctious toddler. Getting an extended warranty will help protect your investment for years to come.
Install the Mulberry browser extension to find the right protection for you, and find free coverage options on eligible items.
