home childproofing

[lucyp]

We are about to embark on childproofing our home as DS has become so much more inquisitive regarding everything! Is there a sort of "one stop shop" for all that gear ? Powerpoints, cupboard latches, gates etc etc etc??

Thanks

[poshBecks]

Try Bunnings!!!! Thats where we went!!:p

[Chickadee]

All hardware stores, most baby stores and even some supermarkets will carry the most common products such as covers/plugs for power outlets, latches for cupboards & drawers. Baby stores typically have a wider range of goods and brands.

It can be useful to look at some baby sites online to see a variety of products, or try http://www.safeaus.com.au which has products I've not seen available anywhere else (like cord shortners) and general household safety items. If you're not sure what will fit your cupboards or house then it may be better to shop iin person at a store to make returns easier. We tried several different types of latches for our cupboards before getting one that worked for us.

[willsmum]

We have a one-stop product. It does doors that shouldn't be opened, drawers, switches, electrical points, taps. It's cheap, kids can't manage it but adults can, it's transportable, easy to use, foolproof and completely removable. You can even use it (with a bit of wadded up fabric) to pad the sharp edges of furniture.

What is this wonder product I hear you ask?

Duct tape.

[xkwzit]

Ahh - but does it reset the temperature of your hot water? You need DH for that ;) . (I'm pathetically hopeless when it comes to DIY, I can paint though :D )

Cheers

[lucyp]

thanks for that - Bunnings might be a good option - was just trying to find one place that did the lot! Lazy me!! Martha , That website is good for ideas etc ,thanks!

also LOL at the duct tape thought!

[Mumoffour]

had a chuckle at the duct tape- the plumber next door swears by the stuff- he even used it as a bandage when he put a piece of metal through at artery in his leg!!!! hes still going!
As for the baby proofing stuff- check out the local discount stores too- sometimes they have cupboard locks and corner cushions etc for cheaper than the hardware/ baby stores.:)
for the luxury models you can get magnetic catches that open with a magnetic 'key'- totally childproof (our toddler worked out the cupboard catches- damn!!)

[sugar n spice]

the chemist is also good

[tickle]

A warning about the stick on dooleys for the draws. They cost a packet and my DS just pulls them straight off. We got ours from bunnings. I think the inside draw latches are best.;)

[Donna80]

Im just wondering wether anyone knows where to get Toilet Proof locks. We thought we were one step ahead when proffing the kitchen and bathroom cupboards, but the little monkey has taken a new adventure....
Lifing toilet seats and throwing toys, dummies ect down the toilet. It gets worse, today I caught him dipping his hand into the water then rubbing it through his hair...eeewwww!!
Please, if anyone can help me, please please help me!!

Donna:eek:

[the_queen]

LOL Donna - keep the toilet door shut!!!;)

I've seen at Toys R Us, they usually have a good range - not sure of price comparisons though, I never bought all that stuff, we just improvised. We had cupboards with knob-type handles, that we could tie together with a bit of wool. Kept Vally out of there, and we could get in there easily enough. I had one gate thingy, and I just put all non-baby stuff in the back family room behind the gate. We put the coffee table right in front of the TV cabinet and she just couldn't reach over it.
:)

[Donna80]

Hi queen,

I realise that the easy solution would be to close the door. But its not the guest toilet hes getting into, its our ensuite.

Our ensuite has a sliding door which has no lock, so it can easily be opened by the little Lachlan.

Thanks for the email though, hope to have this problem rectified asap

Bye for now, Donna

[the_queen]

Oh ok, yeah that complicates the situation!!

I haven't personally looked for them, but I'm sure you can get those toilet lock thingy's, probably at a baby shop, Toys R Us or a hardware shop. Good luck!!! :D

[Chickadee]

I can't remember who it was, but another member had a great suggestion for securing sliding doors. Put up two hooks, one on the frame and one on the door so that the "bottoms" of the hooks are towards each other (so you're hanging the hooks sideways really). Then you can just use an elastic band or any kind of loop in between to keep the door closed. If you need to you can even use the 3M hooks that can be removed later.

.

[Rhys'Mum]

There is a specific toilet latch you can get. (We actually use one for a cupboard that has no frame or turning handle as well as for the toilets.)

I'm pretty sure I got ours from Kidsafe, they had a whole range of safety gadgets and advice so we stocked it all up from there. Not sure how they compare price-wise on everything but most seemed pretty comparable with supermarkets, hardwares etc and I felt good supporting them, given the work they do in child safety.

[Mamaduke]

Our ensuite has a sliding door which has no lock, so it can easily be opened by the little Lachlan.

We have the same problem with the toilet door just off the boys' playroom...we use a rubber door stop (the wedge type) and wedge it between the sliding door and the frame...they cannot open the door and if you put the wedge up at adult's height they can't reach it to pull it out...it's amazing how many "McGuyver" improvisations you'll find when you need to!!!;)

Another thing I just want to stress...keep the dishwasher door shut shut shut!
Jesse got into ours when he was about 18mths and put the tiniest bit of dishwasher detergent on his mouth...ambulance ride to emergency and 2nd degree burns in his mouth...the detergent for dishwashers is VERY CAUSTIC...please don't make the same mistake I did!