"If it is an older home, you are going to find that it's much more challenging. Newer homes are much safer homes," says Altman.
A safety gate can be used to keep children out of areas that aren't child-friendly, such as the laundry room, garage, kitchen, bath and home office. You'll also need gates to bar stairways.
Latches are used on cabinets where any harmful substances might be found, especially in kitchens and baths, and storage areas like basements and garages. Some parents might be able to install fewer latches if they are willing to place harmful items on higher shelves in cabinets where little ones cannot reach.
In the case of latches and safety gates, parents might want to go with the simplest and cheapest products. Often the more expensive items are easier to use. There can be a downside to more than the cost in those user-friendly devices.
"Some products are very minimal and very user-friendly. Some kids can figure them out. Then there are other products that are much more difficult for kids to master," says Altman.
If cost is a prohibitive factor, then the first rule is not to let the children see how the product works. Don't let kids watch you undo the gate or latch. They learn very quickly and will surprise you by how fast they can turn into miniature Houdinis. If you think your little ones might be able to manipulate your safety barriers, then supervision is key. Don't let them alone where they might master the environment. Also, have other safety precautions in place as back-ups. For instance, you might have the home office gated off from the toddler, but in case someone forgets to shut it, or the toddler learns to open it, make certain all harmful objects are located on a high shelf or located in a locked cabinet or drawer.
The same idea is true for outlet protectors. As babies get older and their fine motor control improves, they might be able to manipulate those plastic covers that have the simplest designs. If they might pose a choking hazard to the child, you will need to upgrade to a cover that isn't so easily mastered by the child.
Some of the most important items in a baby proofed home are items that should be present in all homes. Things like smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, cordless phones, emergency numbers prominently posted, fire extinguishers, and adults with CPR training.
"Some parents don't want to pay the extra cost because they don't have the funds to be able to do that, so they do that very minimally," says Altman.
Whatever your budget, don't worry that a lack of finances can keep you from effectively child proofing your home.
