The following is a list of the most frequently asked questions to our professional childproofer.  If you read these and still do not find the answer to your question, please email and our childproofer will gladly respond directly to your question.

Please check back often for more questions and answers from our professional childproofer. 

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"We have been looking for a safety gate we can use at the top of our stairs on our outside deck.  We have been unsuccessful and were hoping you could give us a name of a gate that is safe to use on our deck."

There are several gates available for use in outdoor stairway locations, depending on the size that you need:

For a stairway opening 27" to 42 1/2" (add extension to fit spaces up to 64") check out the Cardinal Gates Stairway Special.

The Kidco Safeway Gate will fit spaces 24 3/4" to 43 1/2" and you can add extensions to fit spaces up to 66".

The Kidco Configure Gate is also available for use outdoors, includes 3 24" panels, and you can add extension panels to fit any size and shape opening that you need.

All of these gates are approved for use outdoors.  They must be treated with a rust inhibiting product to prevent rust, and should be removed in cold weather.

"I need a child safety gate for the top of a staircase but one side is wall and the other is a metal handrail (wrought iron).  I cannot use a pressure system because of the stair use and I cannot use a hardware mount system because of the metal railing side.  What can I do?"

A wrought iron railing is common in stairways of many older homes and apartments.  For mounting a gate to this type of railing, try Kidco Safety Gate Installation Kit K10 which can be used to create a 'frame' around the wrought iron railing.  Hardware mounted gates can then be mounted into this 'frame.'

"We have wood sliding closet doors in our daughters room.  How can we prevent her from opening them?"

Bedroom closets, and other doors can be secured with door locks to keep them from opening, and to help prevent pinched fingers.  For sliding closet doors, try the Sliding Door and Window Lock or Sliding Door Latch.  If your closet doors are bi-folding doors, try the Bi-Fold Door Lock.

Have doors with long handles instead of knobs?  Secure them with the Deluxe Door Latch.  It's great for almost any door, even basement doors!

"What’s the recommended maximum distance between banisters?"

As a general rule, banisters that have vertical or horizontal openings wider than 4" can pose a safety risk for children.  This includes banisters inside and outside of the house.  Banister guards - clear plastic shields, can be attached to banisters to close off the gaps and help prevent accidents from falls through the railings and from becoming stuck in the railings.  Banister guards also help prevent children from climbing up balusters.  Banister guards can be viewed by clicking here.

"This all seems so overwhelming.  Is there a professional service that we can hire who can consult and then actually childproof our home?  How much would a service like that typically cost?  Do you  make referrals? "

Totsafe offers Home Babyproofing Services to most of SE Michigan.  Check out our Services page for more information regarding this service, including our service area, contact information, and what our services include!  If you do not live in our service area, check your local phone book under "Child Safety" or ask local Mom's Groups to help you locate babyproofing services available in your area.  Make sure you ask your babyproofer for professional references - in many states there is no licensing or certification necessary for these services.

"Should we use something on the stairs to help keep our 3 year old from slipping?"

Absolutely.  Using a non-slip stairway runner can help your little one climb up and down the stairs without slipping.  Stairway runners can be purchased at most hardware stores.  Please be sure to continue to supervise your little climber closely when she's climbing the stairs, even with a non-slip runner.  This is still only practice and she should not be allowed to climb without supervision for quite some time.

"How can we baby proof our kitchen without installing all of those cabinet & drawer latches?"

Whenever possible, we recommend blocking off the kitchen with a baby safety gate, especially while you are cooking.  Installing and consistently using a baby safety gate in the doorway or entryway of your kitchen would eliminate the need for cabinet & drawer latches (and refrigerator & oven latches, stove knob covers, etc).  Be sure to read the manufacturers instructions to ensure proper installation and use of the gate, and discontinue use of the gate when the gate is at or below your child's shoulder level.

"How is your lazy susan latch installed?  Is it screwed in or is it an adhesive?"

The Lazy Susan Latch is screwed in with two screws on the side of the cabinet frame.  The latch "clamps" around the lazy susan door, keeping it from opening in both directions.  The lazy susan doors must be a part of the lazy susan, not the type that first open, and the lazy susan is behind.  This latch does not work on cabinet frames with beveled edges.

"I need to buy several of the sliding safety plate
outlet covers, but I want to be sure I'm getting the
right ones."

Totsafe carries 3 different types of sliding safety plates for outlets: One type for standard outlets with 2 prongs, one for standard outlets with 3 prongs, and one for decorator outlets (2 screw) with 3 prongs.  Each item is designated which type of outlet it is for, and the product pictures illustrate it further.  Sliding safety plates are under the category "Electrical Safety."

Did you know that there is a difference between standard and decorator outlets?  Standard outlets have one screw in the middle.  Decorator, or decora, outlets have two screws, one at the top and one at the bottom.  Most outlet safety products are designed for standard outlet styles.

"We have a gas fireplace and the light switch for it is rather low.  Our 2 1/2 year old can easily reach it.  Is there any sort of light switch protector that you know of?"

Totsafe does not currently carry any product designed specifically for this purpose, however, at many hardware stores you can find this type of protector. Check with a hardware store for a light switch lock or light switch guard.

"I am looking for something to go around my treadmill.  Any suggestions?"

The Kidco Configure Gate G80 generally works well for childproofing the space around a treadmill and other exercise equipment.  Unlike standard baby safety gates that only mount in a straight line, the Kidco Configure Gate G80 can be customized to fit almost any shape and size that you need.  It's good for around treadmills, to surround stairways, blocking off entryways, even around Christmas trees.

We have a dresser where our twin toddlers' clothes are kept. The dresser has three drawers (each one above the other) that slide out; however, there is no space (or piece of cabinetry) between the drawers. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

The Kidco Cabinet Latch includes a 'catch' that can be used for most styles of cabinets and drawers, including frameless styles like those in dressers.  Also included is a template to make installation a breeze!  You may want to install the latches on the side the the dresser drawers to make operating the latches easier.

"I'm worried that my daughter will get burned on the wall heater in her bedroom and on other ones throughout the house.  What can I do to help keep her away from it?"

Wall heaters are a common concern for parents.  Many models can become hot to the touch, and they may have sharp edges that children can become hurt on.  We often recommend that parents try to 'barricade' wall heaters from children by placing furniture in front of the heater - if you decide to do this, be sure to keep the furniture away from the heater enough so that it doesn't pose a fire hazard.  A second option is to block off the heater with a baby safety gate.  Be sure to mount the gate far enough from the heater that baby can not reach in and touch the heater.

"What does childproofing consist of, and when should I do it?"

It is never to early to start childproofing your home, we recommend that it be done when your child is around 3-6 months of age, before he/she can crawl.  Don’t wait for your child to start opening cabinets or trying to climb the stairs before you childproof your home. Do it as soon as you can, and as thoroughly as possible to help prevent the number one cause of injury to children (unintentional injuries).

There are several items that you may need in order to properly childproof your home. Here are a few suggestions of the most commonly needed items. Your home may need more or less of these items.  Check out our Home Childproofing Checklist for a more detailed list.

1) Baby Safety Gates: Safety gates are to help prevent falls down stairs, and to block off rooms or areas that may be unsafe for a child. For the top of the stairs, use gates that install into the walls with mounting hardware (screws). Pressure gates can be used to block off rooms, and to block baby from climbing up the stairs. If you have molding, banisters, hollow walls, or wrought iron where you need to install a gate, you may need to purchase a gate installation kit to create a ‘mountable’ surface for your gate. 

2) Locks and Latches: Cabinets and drawers can house very hazardous materials that could harm your child. Safety locks and latches help secure cabinets and drawers that may have items that your child should not have access to (such as cleaning products, cosmetics, medicines, sharp objects like scissors or knives, etc.).

3) Outlet Covers, Outlet Plates, and Outlet Plugs: These items can help prevent electrocution. Outlet covers are generally for outlets where you consistently have an item plugged in (like a lamp), but don’t need frequent access to the outlet. Outlet Plates are generally used for outlets that you frequently plug and unplug items into (i.e. where you would plug in the vacuum). Outlet Plugs are great for filling outlets that don’t get used often.

4) Window blind cord wraps: Help shorten the excess cord from window blinds that can be a strangulation hazard to a child.  Window blind cords should always be kept out of children's reach.  Be sure that cribs, beds, etc. are kept away from windows.

5) Door Locks and Door Knob Covers: Help prevent access to areas or rooms that your child should not have access to (such as garages, patios, etc.)

6) Toilet locks: Children can drown in very small amounts of water, including water in the toilet. Toilet locks install onto the toilet to help keep the lid closed, and children out.

7) Table Edge Guards and cushions: Applied to sharp corners and table edges can help minimize the bumps and bruises caused by falling onto tables and running into sharp corners. Most can also be used on fireplace hearths!

8) Window Guards: Installed into the windows of second story (and above) rooms can help prevent falls from windows. Window guards can be removed by an adult in the event of an emergency.

9) Smoke detectors and Carbon Monoxide Detectors: There should be a smoke detector and a carbon monoxide detector mounted on every floor of the home

Buying products isn't the only thing that childproofing consists of.  It also means moving things, putting things out of reach, locking things away, using safe, healthy practices, and supervising children.  Talk to other parents, find out what they did to safeguard their children, ask your child's pediatrician for childproofing tips that are appropriate for your child's age, do everything you can do to become more educated on what it takes to keep your child safe at home!  

 Please check out Totsafe's Home Childproofing Checklist for more information regarding childproofing at home. 

Looking for a baby safety gate?  Visit Totsafe's Guide To Baby Safety Gates for help in selecting the right gate!

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Guide To Baby Safety Gates - Childproofing Checklist - Ask the Babyproofer - Outlet Safety In Your Home - Car Seat Safety Information