New Dad's Childproofing Checklist: 15 Essential Safety Items Under $100
Now, I believe childproofing is a lot like coaching â it's not about building walls everywhere, it's about creating an environment where everyone can succeed. And by “everyone,” I mean keeping your little one safe while preserving your sanity as a new dad.
Here's the thing about babies: they're like tiny, adorable ninjas with zero sense of self-preservation. One day they're lying there like a sweet little burrito, and the next day they're speed-crawling toward the electrical outlet like it's calling their name.
When my little one hit that crawling milestone at 7 months, I had what I like to call my “Roy Kent moment” â lots of colorful language and the sudden realization that I was woefully unprepared. That's when the Moms on Call book became my safety playbook, and let me tell you, it changed everything.
Why This List is Your New Best Friend
Look, I could throw a bunch of scary statistics at you about childhood injuries, but that's not my style. Instead, let me share this truth: being prepared isn't about fear â it's about freedom. When you've got the right safety gear in place, you can actually relax and enjoy watching your little one explore their world.
Think of it this way: you wouldn't send a player onto the field without proper gear, right? Same principle applies here, just with fewer cleats and more cabinet locks.
The Essential 15: Dad-Tested Safety MVPs
1. Magnetic Cabinet Locks – The Invisible Defenders
Why these are brilliant: No drilling, no guests accidentally breaking them, and your little Houdini can't figure them out.
Now, I started with those traditional plastic latches â bless their hearts, but they lasted about as long as my confidence in a relegation battle. My kiddo cracked the code in two days flat. These magnetic locks? They're like having an invisible force field that only you can control.
đ Get the Magnetic Cabinet Locks
Dad Wisdom: Put these on EVERY lower cabinet. Kids are like curious little detectives â they're drawn to whatever looks openable.
2. Multi-Purpose Safety Latches – The Reliable Bench Players
Perfect for: Those oddball spots where magnetic locks won't stick
Think of these as your utility players â they might not be flashy, but they'll get the job done when you need them most. Dishwasher, microwave, that weird corner cabinet â these adhesive heroes have got your back.
đ Get the Multi-Purpose Safety Latches
3. Retractable Baby Gate – The Game Changer
Why this is brilliant: It's like having a bouncer for your doorways, but one that disappears when the party's over
This gate is what I like to call a “believe” moment. You believe it's going to be complicated, you believe it'll look ugly, and then BAM â it extends to 55 inches, retracts completely, and somehow makes your house look more organized. It's like magic, but the kind that keeps tiny humans safe.
đ Get the Mom Cozy Retractable Baby Gate
Remember: The Moms on Call folks are clear about hardware-mounted gates for stairs â that's non-negotiable safety stuff right there.
4. Outlet Covers – The Set-and-Forget Champions
Why these beat regular plug covers: They're smarter than your average outlet cover
Regular plug covers are like promising young players who look good in practice but crumble under pressure. The moment your little one figures out they can pull these off (and trust me, they will), you've got a choking hazard on your hands. These sliding covers? They're the seasoned pros who just do their job without any drama.
đ Get the Award-Winning Outlet Covers
5. Corner Guards – The Gentle Guardians
Essential for: Every sharp corner that could meet a wobbly toddler head
I learned about these the hard way â let's just say coffee tables and learning-to-walk don't mix well. These clear corner guards are like having tiny bodyguards stationed at every potential ouchie spot. They blend in so well, guests won't even notice them.
đ Get the Corner Protector Guards
6. Door Knob Covers – The Access Controllers
Critical for: Bathrooms, basements, anywhere that's off-limits
The Moms on Call book is crystal clear: bathrooms are like obstacle courses designed by someone who doesn't want children to succeed. These covers are your first line of defense against watery disasters and cleaning supply adventures.
For round door knobs, you'll want these specialized covers â equally effective, just a different style.
7. Stove Knob Covers – The Kitchen Peacekeepers
Peace of mind feature: No accidental gas adventures
Even if your little one can't reach the stove today, they're like tiny basketball players â they keep growing and getting better at reaching things you thought were safe. These clear covers let you use the stove normally while keeping curious fingers from turning your kitchen into a gas station.
đ Get the Stove Knob Covers
8. Refrigerator/Appliance Latch – The Chaos Preventer
Prevents: Coming home to your entire fridge contents on the floor
True story: I once came home to what looked like a food explosion in my kitchen. My little explorer had discovered the joy of gravity plus refrigerator contents. This simple latch would've saved me about an hour of cleanup and a whole lot of sighing.
đ Get the Refrigerator Latch
9. Window Stops/Locks – The Height Safety Heroes
Non-negotiable for: Any window within a curious child's eventual reach
Windows should only open a few inches max when little ones are around. These stops are like having a responsible adult permanently stationed at every window, making sure fresh air gets in but adventurous toddlers don't get out.
đ Get the Window Slide Locksable for:** Any window a child could reach
Windows should only open a few inches max. These stops prevent full opening while still allowing ventilation.
The Final Lineup: Essential Support Players
10. Blind Cord Winder – The Tangle Tamer
Why it matters: Those long cords are like invisible danger noodles
Here's the deal: blind cords are sneaky hazards that look innocent but can be seriously dangerous. This cord winder keeps everything neat, tidy, and safely out of reach. It's like having a personal assistant for your window treatments.
đ Get the Blind Cord Winder
11. Furniture Anchor Straps – The Tip-Over Prevention Squad
Critical truth: Kids see bookcases as climbing equipment
The Moms on Call book mentions this, and it's spot-on: where we see furniture, kids see adventure playgrounds. These straps are like having a spotter for every piece of tall furniture in your house. Installation takes 10 minutes, peace of mind lasts forever.
đ Get the Furniture Anchor Straps
12. Soft Close Toilet Seat – The Finger-Saving Wonder
Bonus features: Quieter midnight bathroom trips AND safer little fingers
This might seem like luxury, but trust me on this one. It prevents finger pinching, reduces the 3 AM toilet seat slam that wakes everyone up, and just makes life a little bit gentler. Sometimes the best safety features are the ones that make everyone happier.
đ Get the Soft Close Toilet Seat
13. Toilet Locks – The “Fishing” Prevention Squad
Dad reality check: Yes, these are absolutely necessary
I used to think toilet locks were overkill until I caught my little explorer trying to “go fishing” in the toilet bowl. Beyond the obvious drowning hazard (babies can drown in just 2 inches of water), you really don't want to be fishing toys out of your plumbing at 2 AM. Trust me on this one.
Note: Many of the multi-purpose safety latches mentioned earlier work great for toilet seats, or you can get toilet-specific locks.
14. Electrical Outlet Plugs (Backup Set) – The Simple Solutions
Why you need extras: For the outlets your sliding covers can't handle
While those award-winning sliding outlet covers are fantastic, some outlets (especially older homes) might need the classic plug-style covers. Keep a pack of these traditional outlet plugs as backup. They're simple, cheap, and effective for those oddball outlets.
Pro tip: Buy the kind that are slightly larger than standard – harder for little fingers to grab.
15. Cabinet Slide Locks – The Problem Solvers
Perfect for: Those weird cabinets where magnetic locks just won't work
Every house has those few cabinets that seem designed to defeat modern safety equipment. Maybe it's the weird corner cabinet, or the one with the funky handle, or that drawer that houses all your important documents. These slide locks are your problem-solving champions for those special cases.
These work great for filing cabinets, entertainment centers, or any cabinet where magnetic locks aren't feasible.
Your Game Plan: Installation Like a Champion
First Week (Baby starts showing mobility):
- Outlet covers (because they're fast and everywhere)
- Cabinet locks for the dangerous stuff (cleaners, medicines)
- Corner guards for the obvious head-bonkers
Second Week (Pulling up and cruising begins):
- Baby gates (create your safe zones)
- Door knob covers (bathroom lockdown)
- Stove and appliance protection
Third Week (Walking like a tiny drunk person):
- Window stops (they're getting taller every day)
- Furniture anchors (vertical adventures begin)
- Final touches and adjustments
Dad-to-Dad Money Wisdom
Look, I get it â you want to do right by your little one without breaking the bank. Here's how to be smart about it:
Buy smart, not cheap: Those magnetic locks cost more upfront, but they'll outlast three sets of the plastic ones. It's like investing in good boots â pay once, wear forever.
Amazon Subscribe & Save is your friend: Set up recurring deliveries for safety items you'll need to replace. Save 15% and never run out of the essentials.
Start with the danger zones: You don't need to childproof the whole house on day one. Focus on the kitchen, bathroom, and wherever your little one spends the most time.
What NOT to Spend Your Hard-Earned Money On
- Fancy decorative outlet covers: They look pretty but kids crack the code fast
- Single cabinet locks: You'll always need more than you think you do
- Pressure-mounted gates for stairs: The Moms on Call book is clear â hardware-mounted only for stairs
- Bargain corner guards: The cheap ones fall off constantly and become their own hazard
The Real Talk Section
Here's what I wish someone had told me: childproofing isn't about creating a padded prison. It's about creating space where your little one can explore and learn without you having a minor heart attack every five minutes.
The Moms on Call book taught me that safety is about balance â protecting kids from real dangers while still letting them discover their world. You're not wrapping them in bubble wrap; you're removing the obvious “uh oh” moments so you can focus on the important stuff, like teaching them how to be curious AND careful.
Total investment for peace of mind: Around $85-95
Compare that to one emergency room visit (or just the stress of constantly playing defense), and this list basically pays for itself in the first week.
Time to Take Action (Because Knowing Is Only Half the Battle)
Don't be the dad who waits until your little one is already mobile to start thinking about safety. Most of this stuff can be installed during a Saturday afternoon, and trust me, having it ready before you need it is like having your playbook memorized before the big game.
Start with the top 5 items â they'll cover the majority of your safety concerns and give you confidence to actually enjoy watching your little explorer discover their world.
Remember: this isn't about fear, it's about freedom. Freedom to relax, freedom to let them explore, and freedom from that constant low-level worry that something's going to go sideways.
Your little one is counting on you to create a safe space where they can grow, learn, and maybe occasionally stick their finger in something they shouldn't (but safely!).
Want the complete playbook? The Moms on Call book has room-by-room safety checklists, emergency procedures, and all the confidence-building guidance a new dad needs. It's like having experienced coaches in your corner, helping you create a home where your little champion can thrive safely.
Believe in yourself, dad. You've got this.
