need to child-proof home!

[Ginevive]

OK; my 2-year old niece is coming over tomorrow.. I am freeking out about child-proofing our home! I am going to advise my sister to keep an eye on her; last time she was over, she was still in her baby walker and thus it was easier..!
The snakes are OK; she will be watched like a hawk, and that is not my worry.. it is the cabinets with things suchas Pine-Sol, etc.. you know, cleaning products. So now I have this to worry about! Any advice? I am so Not a kid person! But she's my niece and I can make an exception..

[ZEKESMOM]

You can go to Wal Mart and buy child proof cupboards locks....they are a snap to install and if you don't want to leave them on easy to remove...they can be a pain in the but if you forget they are there and try to open a cupboard and *$%^% damn lock!! LOL they are relatively cheap and sure fire way to keep your niece safe

[frankykeno]

Easiest and fastest thing is to run to the Dollar Store and grab two or three cheap bins. Clean out everything toxic in your lower cabinets (both bathroom and kitchen), make sure she can't climb to your bathroom med cabinet and double check bedside tables (a typical place that singles leave a bottle of pills or such like). Toss everything in the bins and put them securely away. Easy, fast and you can use the bins for something else later. Put your purse on top of the fridge, you wouldn't believe how many kids are hurt every year from digging in purses and coming up with meds or manicure scissors or what not.

Other biggies with toddlers are things they can pull down on themselves or crawl under. Basically get down on your hands and knees and crawl around. Your head should likely be about the height of your average toddler. You'll be amazed how different your house looks from down there and you can quickly see what might be a danger or attractive for a child of that size to grab at. Watch things like entertainment units and bookcases she might climb on. Block them if you can, if not simply redirect her away.

A pile of pots and pans, plastic bowls, plastic spoons, etc. will often keep a 2 year old entertained for ages and away from more destructive activities. Be prepared for a less than quiet and relaxing visit...toddlers are FUN! lol

Oh and you might ask her mom if she has a portable baby gate...those are wonderful and will keep her in a room with you without constantly chasing her room to room.

[Ginevive]

Great tips; thanks! I definately plan on asking her to bring the baby gate; we have a doorway that goes a step down into the laundry room that she could fall down..

[sweety314]

Don't forget loose electrical cords and the outlets. She'll probably try to pull herself up and if a lamp cord is available, she could grab it and pull the lamp off onto herself. Bundle them up and make sure they're TOTALLY behind or UP where she can't see or reach them.


Get the little plastic plugs to pop into the outlets so she can't stick something in them and shock herself.

Oh, and the VCR/DVD player. Our neighbor found out the hard way when her toddler stuffed a sandwhich in the VCR

[dr del]

Wouldn't it be easier to just buy a big tub for the kid? Tie one of its ankes to a table and clear in the ten foot radius or whatever?


As you may be able to tell I have none of my own.



dr del

[Ginevive]

Everything went well! She loves petting the "snakies" and will point at the rack making a hissing sound..! You ask her what the snakie says, and she goes "sssss..!" Adorableness..

[frankykeno]

As you may be able to tell I have none of my own.

Want any? I've four of the little *cough* darlings, both genders, ages ranging from 19 down to 5. Most don't bite (much), they're reasonably house trained and as long as you've snacks, a telephone and a gaming system they mostly won't start planning any sort of mutiny. I do ship (don't mind the screeching from the shipping box, it's just one of the sisters hollering about one of the brothers).

[Jahbeard]

Want any? I've four of the little *cough* darlings, both genders, ages ranging from 19 down to 5. Most don't bite (much), they're reasonably house trained and as long as you've snacks, a telephone and a gaming system they mostly won't start planning any sort of mutiny. I do ship (don't mind the screeching from the shipping box, it's just one of the sisters hollering about one of the brothers).

I have 2.0 (12 & 15) still at home who routinely defy the laws of physics to injure themselves. The younger one will eat anthing that doesn't eat him first, and the older one will be wearing black until they invent something darker. It is a good thing that North Carolina is a death penality state, although I don't think a jury in the world would convict me. Shipped to your door, no charge.

[Laooda]

I have 2.0 (12 & 15) still at home who routinely defy the laws of physics to injure themselves. The younger one will eat anthing that doesn't eat him first, and the older one will be wearing black until they invent something darker. It is a good thing that North Carolina is a death penality state, although I don't think a jury in the world would convict me. Shipped to your door, no charge.

HAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!! Well said! I know a few people like that!

The younger one sounds like me!!!