Difficulty: 1 of 5

 

A child’s curiosity can be a dangerous thing in an unsafe home. Follow these steps to protect your child from harm.

 

Always carefully follow the installation instructions that come with childproofing products.

Materials:

– Drill
– Electrical outlet covers
– Pencil
– Safety gate kit
– Safety latch, toilet
– Safety latches
– Screwdriver
– Soft bumpers
– Window blind roll-up

Step 1: Install hardware-mounted baby gates.


Hardware-mounted baby gates are much safer than pressure-mounted gates. To install them, first line up the mounting brackets and mark the locations for the mounting screws in the wall or molding. Some baby gates come with full-sized guides for easy drilling and mounting.
Use any mounting guide that comes with the baby gate kit.

Step 2: Drill pilot holes and attach the mounting plates.


Using a bit slightly smaller than the screws or fasteners, drill pilot holes in the locations marked. Use a screwdriver to screw the mounting plates into place. The mounting plates should always be secured to a solid surface.
Screw the mounting brackets in place.

Step 3: Attach the gate.


Attach the gate to the mounted hanging brackets. Check the gate for alignment, swing and fit.
Slide the gate into the mounted hanging brackets.

Step 4: Attach the brackets on the opposite side


If the gate is aligned properly, move to the opposite side and follow the directions to mount the final set of brackets. Use the hardware supplied with the gate kit to mount the brackets. With these brackets installed, the gate should be ready to keep children in or out.
Screw the other brackets in place.

Step 5: Install safety latches on drawers and cabinets.


Safety latches keep children out of drawers and cabinets. For swing cabinet doors, consider loop latches. To install, slide the loops over the knobs on the cabinet. Tighten the loops to secure the cabinets closed. To open the cabinet, press on the release tabs while pulling on the loops.
Use loop latches on cabinet doors.

Step 6: Install cabinet safety latches.


Safety latches provide another means of securing a cabinet from a child. Safety latches come in two parts. Following the instructions that came with the latch, line up the location of the two pieces and mark the location of the pilot holes.
Mark the location of the safety latch pilot holes.

Step 7: Drill safety latch pilot holes and install.


Drill the pilot holes for the safety latch screws. Be careful not to drill through the cabinet door. Screw the two parts of the latch together. The cabinet is now set up for child safety.
Screw the latch in place.

Step 8: Install safety latches on drawers.


Follow steps #6 and #7 to install safety latches on drawers. To open the drawer, simply press down on the safety latch to release.
Use the same method to install latches on drawers.

Step 9: Install safety latches on toilets.


To install a safety latch on a toilet, follow the directions that came with the latch. Be sure to clean and dry the toilet bowl so that the adhesive works properly. First, locate the position for the bottom part of the latch mechanism along the exterior of the toilet bowl. Peel away the plastic backing of the adhesive pad and press the bracket into place against the bowl.
Press the bottom part of the latch mechanism into place against the bowl.

Step 10: Attach the top mounting bracket of the toilet safety latch.


Find the location of the top mounting bracket on the lid of the toilet. It should be directly above the bottom latch. Remove the plastic backing of the adhesive pad and then press the bracket into place on the bottom of the toilet seat.
Align the top mounting bracket with the bottom latch.

Step 11: Attach the final piece of the toilet safety latch.


The top of the latching mechanism is the final piece. Remove the plastic backing of the adhesive pad. Slide the mechanism onto the top bracket, and press the adhesive pad into place on the top of the toilet seat. By lowering the lid, you can now click the two latch pieces together, securing the toilet in a closed position. To open the latch, press on the button and pull on the knob.
Slide the latching mechanism onto the top bracket.

Step 12: Protect electrical outlets.


To prevent electric shock, use plastic electric outlet covers. These are simply inserted into the outlets.
Plug the plastic cover into the outlet.

Step 13: Install window blind roll-ups.


Window blind cords can pose strangling hazards for children and pets. Install window blind roll-ups by inserting the cords into the slotted rod inside the plastic case. Clip on the cover of the case and roll up the cord until it is out of reach of children or pets.
Roll up the cord until it is out of reach.

Step 14: Place bumpers on sharp corners.


Sharp furniture corners can be potentially dangerous. Install soft bumpers to the corners by first applying adhesive pads to the bumper. Press the pad and bumper into place on the corner. Be sure to cover all the sharp corners in the house. With some easy installations, your home can be safe for children.
Press the bumpers into place.