Childproofing: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What childproofing is

Childproofing installs safety gates, outlet covers, cabinet latches, window guards and furniture anchors so a home is safer for babies and toddlers who are starting to move around. A pro checks each room for the hazards a child can reach, then installs the right hardware into the right surfaces. People call when a baby starts to crawl, a toddler starts to climb, or a new home has stairs and windows to plan for.

Signs you need it

  • A baby has started to crawl or pull up, and stairs or open rooms need a gate
  • Outlets are at child height and have no covers or safety plates
  • Cabinets under the sink or in the kitchen are full of cleaners, knives or small items
  • Windows open wide enough for a child to fall through, or the sill sits low
  • Heavy furniture, TVs or dressers can tip if a child climbs them
  • A toddler has begun climbing shelves, bookcases or the kitchen counter

What the pro does

  • Walk each room at child height to find the reach points, climbing spots and hazards
  • Install hardware-mounted gates at the top of stairs, and pressure-mounted or hardware-mounted gates at the bottom of stairs and at doorways
  • Fit outlet covers or tamper-resistant plates, and secure or shorten window blind cords, suggesting cordless blinds where possible
  • Mount cabinet and drawer latches on the lower cabinets, and secure the doors where needed
  • Install window guards or sash stops that allow the window to open for air but not wide enough to fall through
  • Anchor dressers, bookcases and TVs to the wall with the right hardware, then test each device with a firm push

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Number of rooms and the number of hazards to address
  • Type of gates, such as pressure-mounted or hardware-mounted for stairs
  • Number of windows that need guards, and whether they are standard or specialty
  • Furniture anchoring, which depends on the wall type and the stud locations
  • Cabinet latches and drawer locks needed in the kitchen and bath
  • Whether the home has plaster or drywall, which changes the anchors

What a written quote should spell out

  • Each room and each hazard to be addressed, listed by location
  • The gate type, the window guard type and the latch type used
  • Anchoring method and hardware for furniture, such as studs or wall anchors
  • Whether the work is installed to the manufacturer's instructions
  • Warranty on the installation, in writing

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Will you install the stair gates into the wall or the newel post, and how do you anchor them?
  • Do you anchor the dressers and TVs into studs, and with what hardware?
  • Which window guards do you use, and do they still let the window open for air?
  • Are the outlet covers tamper-resistant, and do they fit my plates?
  • Will you test each device with a firm push before you leave?
  • Do you check the home for hazards I may have missed?
  • Does the warranty cover the hardware if it works loose later?

Red flags

  • A pressure gate installed at the top of the stairs, where it can be pushed out
  • Furniture anchored with drywall anchors only and no stud contact
  • Window guards that do not meet the window's escape needs in case of fire
  • Outlet covers that are loose enough to pull out with a small finger
  • No walk-through of the home before the work starts

What you can do yourself

You can install pressure-mounted gates at the bottom of stairs, fit outlet covers, add cabinet latches with the included hardware, and anchor furniture with straps where the hardware allows. Check each device with a firm push, and recheck after the first few weeks. Do not install a pressure gate at the top of stairs; call a pro for stud-anchored hardware, window guards, and any gate or anchor that must be fixed into framing.

Licenses and permits

Childproofing installs are generally not licensed as a trade. Window guards must still meet the escape rules where you live, and some areas require a contractor registration for paid work.

Childproofing questions

Where should a pressure-mounted gate not be used?

A pressure-mounted gate should not be used at the top of stairs, where a fall can happen if it gives way. Use a hardware-mounted gate there, fixed into the wall or the newel post.

When do I need to childproof?

Start before a baby can crawl, and review the home again as the child begins to climb and open things. Hazards change quickly once a child is mobile.

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