baby proofing

The best time to baby proof is before the baby arrives, when you have the time and energy to do it thoroughly. This article from the NYTimes has a good overview of baby proofing basics. While you can do it all yourself, there are also professional consultants and installers who are great. We used a professional and in a matter of hours they did an evaluation of our entire home and then recommended and installed products. We found it helpful to have a professional who could quickly drill in furniture wall straps, drawer latches, etc., and had the peace of mind that they were doing it correctly. The firm we used is no longer in business, but some of the popular ones in LA are Mr. Babyproofer and Play it Safe Baby Proofing. With that as background, here's an overview of key products:

• Outlet covers: we used traditional outlet plugs and didn't find it too annoying to take them out and put them back in when needed (biggest criticism of the old fashioned models). There are also new-fangled covers for the entire outlet that slide horizontally and some people prefer those because you don't have to take anything in or out.
• Gates: we installed a gate at the top of the stairs, though some people do top and bottom.
• Window Treatment Cords: we installed cord wraps/cleats so that all cords were kept above child height.
• Wall straps/brackets: installed to secure any furniture that a child might climb and tip over (standing mirrors, bookshelves, dressers, etc.).
• Drawer latches: we did spring-loaded internal latches for any kitchen or bathroom drawers with sharp or unsafe items.
• Cabinet locks: magnetic cabinet locks are a popular option to keep things safe without a visible trail of babyproofing (just don't lose the magnet to open it!). There are also external cabinet locks that work well, if you don't mind having the lock show.
• Toilet lid locks: we never installed them, but they are recommended.
• Doorknob covers: great for rooms that are off-limits, as well as for use once you have a child in a bed and they can get up in the night and open doors.
• Cushions for sharp edges, corners and right angles: Though not the most attractive, we put cushions on corners and other hard right angles around the house. Our pediatrician said that run-ins with things like coffee table edges are a top reason little ones end up in the emergency room. Clear corner covers aren't too obvious, and these Edge Armor foam covers are my favorite for functionality, though they're a little more obvious.

Additionally, these were strongly advised to us by our pediatrician:

• Discontinue use of any laundry pods, dishwasher pods or similar products. Soap pods have been linked to chemical eye burns and other hazards for small children (see this Consumer Reports article for more).
• Move dangerous cleaning products to a high shelf or a location that is otherwise completely out of reach for a child. These substances are so dangerous that it's much safer to move them entirely out of the way instead of just locking the doors under the sink.