SAFE AT HOME

BABY-PROOFING REVISITED: THE RETURN OF A LEARNED TODDLER

Just when you think you’ve finished baby-proofing, your
2-year-old figures out how to open the kitchen drawer,
finds a permanent marker and scribbles on your Ethan
Allen sofa (really happened to me). Your toddler is a
sponge, wanting to learn as much as you can teach him.
And, you have taught him well. While you were opening
your kitchen cabinet, he was thinking, “How did she do that?”

Curiosity brings out the detective in a baby. You may find him in the pantry closet on a search and destroy mission. You may discover your powder room covered in toilet paper. Or, you may stumble upon “artwork” that he created with your favorite lipstick.

What’s a Parent to Do? It’s Time for Round II
Round II depends on how thorough you were in Round I when you first baby-proofed. So, here we go:

Kitchen and Bath Cabinets and Drawers

The Kidco Adhesive Mount Magnet Locks have a magnet key release. We especially like the Key Holder (which you can mount anywhere). You’ll always know where the key is and it’s the only way to get in. No need to go crazy: Take an inventory of your lower cabinets and drawers; make certain that there is nothing harmful just waiting to be found; and if it looks like trouble, move it or get rid of it.

Bi-Fold Closet Doors

This is an easy one! Our Sliding Bi-Fold Door Lock takes a minute to install and will eliminate pinched fingers.

Flip Locks

Restrict access to closets or rooms with in-swinging doors with the Flip Lock. Simply flip the lock sideways to latch, and lift and flip back to open!

Top Locks

Our Deluxe Top Door Locks keep interior doors (max 1 3/8” thick), like to your office or a bathroom, off limits. Please note that these locks are not for exterior doors.

Combination Cabinet Lock

The Dream Baby Cable Lock secures cabinet doors quickly and easily with its clever combination locking system (just like your luggage).

The Smart Guard
This is a great medicine safe. Take it with you when you travel.

SAFETY TIP
A mom came in and told us that her 18-month-old daughter is able to open her pressure-mounted gate. First, it's important to know that not all pressure-mounted gates are the same. However, don't be afraid to tighten your pressure gate—before you look to swap it out. If the gate is tightened properly, the mechanism is more difficult to operate. This should solve the problem. Some, like the Kidco Center Gateway, Premier and Pinnacle, come with a pressure gauge.

MYTH
A baby-proofer can baby-proof anything and outsmart a 2-year-old.

REALITY
There are some things that we just can’t fix. Sometimes you have to adapt and accept the fact that toddlers can be very clever.

Kidproteq LLC, located in Wayne, Pa., serves Philadelphia and its suburbs. Kidproteq owners and professional baby-proofers Rachelle and Jeff Gansky are there to help. Jeff performs the home evaluations and is available for installations. A Kidproteq® in-home safety evaluation takes approximately one and a half hours. Rachelle handles all daily operations and is available for phone and e-mail consultation. Rachelle provides the best, most current information by keeping up on the latest in the childproofing industry through her connections with IAFCS and Safe Kids USA. Feel free to submit Rachelle a question. Look for the Weekly Safety Tips on THE FAMILY GROOVE blog. And, most of all…be safe!