child safety around the home

[sanssouci]

There doesn't seem to be anything on this subject already (I probably missed it!) but I desperately need to baby-proof our open-plan kitchen/dining/living area without spending a fortune. Any suggestions? Thanks.

Mothercare do a cheap box full of all the little plugs/door catches etc you need. What is it that you actually need to make safe?

buy a playpen - you can plonk your baby in there when the phone rings, door goes or you need the loo and you know they are 100% safe till you get back. Best thing I ever bought.

Yes, you can get packages from various places that contain plug pluggers and corners for tables and door stoppers but the best place i found was Ikea. They do multi packs of plug pluggers, cupbourd door stoppers, big door stoppers, oven door stoppers etc all costing maybe a couple of quid each multi pack. They do stair gates too. my down stairs is how you describe yours and DS is 16 months and is able to wander around quite safely. Hope this helps. Another good tip is to just move things. Put valuable stuff out of reach or away completely, its just not worth the hassle. Get a friends toddler round for the morning and watch were he or she goes and what he or she does for the best hints and tips. thats what i did.good luck!

they almost all come with screw holes! Apart from the fridge lock, which fell off by the end of the day... and there i was with fond ideas about making my home a baby-safe castle...