As a parent, it’s your job to make your baby’s world a safe place to learn and grow. Baby-proofing helps protect your child from dangerous areas in your home–and helps protect your belongings from damage. There are many products marketed to parents to baby-proof their homes, but as with most parenting issues, sometimes the most basic solutions often rely on common sense. But along with common sense it never hurts to have a brand that you can trust, and when it comes to safety items, KidCo is that brand.
A major question moms may ask themselves is how do I know what is dangerous? In order to get a clear view on what your baby might find the most interesting. You will be amazed at what catches your attention at your baby level. Keep a list of dangerous areas, and then search for items that could remedy that danger, or at least make it a little safer. Here are a few to start with.
Electrical Sockets: Cover them all with KidCo Outlet Caps, or better yet, replace them with the Universal Outlet Cover.Its spring loaded cover automatically covers outlet and prevents injury from inserting objects into the outlet. Best yet, you only need one cover no matter what style outlet you have because it works on both Standard and Decora style outlets.
Fireplace: HearthGate will help protect your baby from not only the hard hearth surface, but also from the dangerous flames when a fire is burning and the fireplace materials that could pose a chocking hazard. If you don’t want a gate to entirely surround your fireplace, keep your baby safe from falls onto the hard hearth surface with KidCo Hearth Guard. Unlike other hearth guards on the market the KidCo Hearth Guard doesn’t require the use of adhesive and therefore can be removed when not needed, with no messy adhesive residue left behind.
Cupboards/Drawers: Secure cabinet doors and drawers with childproof locks. KidCo has a number of different styles of these locks, one will surely fit your needs: Swivel Cabinet/Drawer Lock, Sliding Cabinet Lock, Adhesive Mount Cabinet/Drawer Lock, Adjustable Locking Strap (great for Lazy Susans where little fingers can get pinched merely by pushing on the door), Spring Action Lock and the Magnet Lock-the only magnet lock on the market that installs without drilling!
Stairs: More than half of all nonfatal injuries to children are from falls, according to the National SAFE KIDS Campaign. Many of these falls involve unprotected stairways. To avoid stairway falls, install safety gates at the top and bottom of open stairways and be sure to keep them fastened at all times when baby is around. Remember that only wall or hardware mounted gates should be used at the top of stairs. KidCoSafewayline is perfect for top of stair applications and the pressure mount Gateway line is great at the bottom of the stairs and as room dividers. For KidCo complete line of safety gates visit www.kidco.com.
Furniture: When babies use furniture to pull themselves up, they can pull things over. Remove wobbly tables that could tip over and fasten bookcases to the wall. Use KidCo Anti-Tip Furniture Straps to secure furniture to a wall. The Anti-Tip TV Straps are specifically used to anchor flat screen televisions to the wall or furniture. Take the sharp edges off your furniture by covering them. KidCo Soft Corner Protectors are adhesive mount and come in both clear and white, or try KidCo Foam Corner and Edge Protectors. These large, neutral colored adhesive mount cushions will do the trick in helping to soften hard sharp edges.
Doors: Doors pose several hazards. Doors can lead to areas of the home (or outdoors) that aren’t safe for your child. They can also pose a finger-pinch hazard. Additionally, an often overlooked problem exists in the doorstop. If you have the metal coil doorstop, the end cap can pose a choking hazard. You might be tempted to just remove the cap, but the metal coil can be sharp. Instead, remove the entire unit and replace it with a one piece Soft Jamb Door Stop from KidCo. Its slips right into the previously drilled hole.
KidCo offers safety items for every room of your home. The list here is not complete, so if you don’t see something you need here be sure to check out their website.
Now for some good news! KidCo is going to be giving a Mommies With Style reader a gift pack of baby proofing items! Not just one, not just two, but almost ALL of the items listed in this post will be included!
Here’s how to enter:
Go to the KidCo website and tell us which baby proofing item you need the most!
The giveaway will run until Monday September 5th, so be sure to enter!
I was provided with the KidCo products mentioned here for the purposes of this review. As always all thoughts and opinions are my own.
I definitely need the Center Gateway Model. With two little dachshunds, it will come in handy!
There are so many I would love to have! But I really like the way the Universal Outlet Cover works. That seems so much nicer than sticking something in the outlet. But what I really need is the Universal Outlet Cover because we have things plugged in that our little one could easily take out. Currently I have to design the room so she can’t get to the outlets.
Our Daughter and Son-in-Law really need a lot of Universal Outlet Covers.
Our Grandson is just learning to crawl and is facinated with every electrical outlet in the house.
Wet fingers from drool and electricity do not mix and it is a full time job right now trying to discourage him from going near the outlets.
Thanks for the great giveaway. ~Pauline (dod@rogers.com)
We have a fireplace and even though our little guy isn’t crawling yet, I am worried about how to baby proof the living space – the gate for the fireplace would be perfect!
thanks!!
We could really use the bath rail – I am always soooo worried our 2 year old will get out and fall on his own (though we watch him all the time.) And I must say the fireplace gate would be AWESOME – another huge worry! Thanks!!!
with all my husband’s electronicl stuff, we could use the Power Strip Cover.
convertible crib rail.
i really like the versatile play area safety gate. I am currently pregnant so this would help a lot.
My cousin is pregnant with her first child, and I am entering for her. She could definitely use the PlayDen™ Model PD10! My sister-in-law has one like that and used it for a long time with my nephew. It was a lifesaver!
I would love the convertible crib bed rail
We could use the power strip cover.
I would really like the Children’s Bed Rail
I am in love with the PlayDen™ Model PD10!! A playpen for kiddies! lol…love it!
clrew24@yahoo.com
I like the Safeway® Model G20.
OMG we need the bath safety rail. I didn’t even know they made something like this. My son keeps trying to get out of the tub unsuccessfully I might add. This is definitely something he needs.
I would love to win this! I need the soft door jam stops for my little boy. Thanks for the great giveaway!
Renee Walters
bored2quickly@hotmail.com
I need the auto close gate the most this would really come inhandy for me
stanleybilly(at)bellsouth(dot)net
stove guard
I could really use the Adhesive Mount Magnet Lock-Starter Set
We need the safety gates…with twins, we’re going to need a lot!
We could really use the Power Strip Cover!
With the TV and computer in our living room, we could really use the Power Strip Cover there. By next summer, I know we’re going to nee the Mesh Window Guard too.
MY SON WILL BE CRAWLING SOON SO WE WILL DEFINITELY NEED THE Electrical Outlet Caps
shebebes@yahoo.com
Love their Anti-Tip Furniture Strap – ingenious! I didn’t know they made those types of things – I could really use those!
e-mail: lucky02130 (at) gmail (dot) com
need Universal Outlet Covers
The baby proofing item I need the most is the Anti-Tip TV Strap for our flat screen TV. We could really use that to make our home safer for our baby.
I really really need a new gate like this one. The one I have now is wooden and falling apart
Metro Gateway Model G170
Part of KidCo’s new Architectural Series, a line of fashionable child safety gates, the Metro Gateway® is a sleek, smart, pressure mounted gate based on the original KidCo Gateway® series. Its chic, metropolitan styling brings sophistication and flair to any décor. Constructed of steel and anodized aluminum it stands 31″ tall and is great for kids and pets. Basic gate fits openings 29″ to 37″ wide.
I’m in a little bit of denial over child proofing. I need to get on that soon.
I really need the Door Lever Lock. My child is always tryin to open the door and stumble out.
The elongate G60
I need one of the bed rails for my daughter.
MamasMusings@hotmail.com
I’d like the Foam Corner Protectors
The fireplace Hearth Gate would be a great thing to have this winter in our home. I have an almost 1yr old daughter and I know she’ll be walking in no time. We can’t afford high heating bills so we have to use our fireplace and this would just make me feel better that there was an added protection.
I need the Center Gateway® Model G15 most.
I would need the babygate the most. Good luck everyone!
outlet covers
amy16323(at)gmail(dot)com
I really need an extra wide gate! Open layout is all fine and good until you’ve got a baby!!
We would really need the power strip cover…
We could really use the On-Off Appliance Lock!
hendymartin1 at yahoo dot com
I could definitely use the Metro Safety Gate.
6G elongate extra large gate is what I need. My grand-daughter is crawling and trying to walk. I want to keep her in the front room away from the dangers of the kitchen and bathroom.
I would love to get the center gateway gate. Currently our gate for the bottom of the stairs doesn’t want to stay put. We have to keep it in place with a chair to stop the little guy from making his way upstairs.
I need the outlet covers
I could use the power strip cover
As our daughter is on the verge of crawling in our new (not-baby proofed) home, we could use everything on this site but especially the Adhesive Mount Magnet Lock-Starter Set
versatile play gate
I really need the Adhesive Mount Magnet Lock-4 Lock Set….several sets! I have a 6 week old baby and we are really planning our baby proofing now so it’s done before she’s crawling around. Thank you for the lovely giveaway.
sewmuchstuff at ymail dot com
I need the outlet cover because my son got interested in the socket tonight during his bath.. He doesn’t know any better since he’s only 8 months old.
I need something that can lock the drawers in our house… our little guy is getting into stuff he shouldn’t!
I definitely need the furniture straps because I’m always scared of something falling over and crushing my little one!! Someone that I know a tv fell on top of her little boys head!! I’m so paranoid of this happening especially since so many accidents occur each year causing injury and many deaths! =(