How do I baby proof an old house?

Trish
by Trish

Our soon to be one year old grandson will be visiting and we need to keep curious fingers safe without gutting out very lived in home! :)

  7 answers
  • How great to have your grandson come visit. I would not go to overboard, I would remove the glass items that will be within reach. Maybe also the most sentimental items. What about getting a playpen.

  • Having a few strategically placed baby gates will help keep him out of rooms with lots of breakables and keep him in the same room as you.

  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Nov 05, 2018

    For cabinets, get thick rubber bands (like they put on broccoli) and put around knobs to prevent opening. Use your furniture placement to block things like outlets and open stairs. Keep doors shut to laundry room and bedrooms he doesn't need to be in. Enjoy! Grandchildren are the best part of life.

  • Linda Sikut Linda Sikut on Nov 05, 2018

    HI Trish,

    Enjoy your grandson! Take all of the times from the other Hometalkers and put them together. :) I used special baby "locks" to keep cabinet & drawers hard to open, but one thing I like to do is have a bottom drawer in my kitchen that a baby can open. I put towels, a few small pots and other non-breakable items in there. Then when I'm in the kitchen the baby can join me and not get into anything breakable. I've also put ALL cleaning supplies in a high cabinet so that no child can reach them. I started doing that when my first son was born in 1971 and have been doing it ever since through 6 grandchildren. I have 3 "sets" of grandkids. 2 in the single digits, 2 are teens and 2 are in their 20's so the way it's worked out, I am just now thinking that I might be able to remove some of the baby protections. LOL

  • Child locks on all reachable cabinets. Simple to install. Keep anything breakable out of reach. Bolt furniture (freestanding bookcases) to wall if you have a climber.

  • Casee Casee on Oct 30, 2021

    I thought this article about babyproofing is really helpful. It's very comprehensive too! It covers everything from babyproofing your kitchen, bathroom, toys, and the whole house. And the tips are easy and cost-effective too, which I really like.