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The best baby proofing products help keep your little ones out of trouble Credit: Getty Images, iStock (yaoinlove / NetMartin)

The Best Baby-Proofing Products of 2024

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The best baby proofing products help keep your little ones out of trouble Credit: Getty Images, iStock (yaoinlove / NetMartin)

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Reviewed's mission is to help you buy the best stuff and get the most out of what you already own. Our team of product experts thoroughly vet every product we recommend to help you cut through the clutter and find what you need.

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Editor's Choice Product image of Cardinal Gates SS-30 Stairway Special Safety Gate
Best Baby Gate

Cardinal Gates SS-30 Stairway Special Safety Gate

Check Price at Amazon

The Stairway Special has a simple, functional look, but it's a top pick for its sturdy aluminum construction, easy installation, and safety factor. Read More

Pros

  • Sturdy yet lightweight construction
  • Can be installed at an angle
  • Leaves minimal damage

Cons

  • None that we could find
Editor's Choice Product image of Regalo Easy Step Baby Gate
Best Value Baby Gate

Regalo Easy Step Baby Gate

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This top-selling baby gate fits most openings between 29 and 38.5 inches wide. It's a breeze to set up, but certain features don't work all that well. Read More

Pros

  • Quick, easy installation
  • Feels solid and sturdy

Cons

  • A couple lackluster features
Product image of KidCo Electrical Outlet Caps
Best Outlet Covers

KidCo Electrical Outlet Caps

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If you're not in the mood to fuss with a screwdriver, these KidCo outlet caps will keep your child safe without any hassle. Read More

Pros

  • Easy for adults to remove
  • Durable

Cons

  • Easier to lose than an outlet-cover replacement
Product image of Ziz Home Self-Closing Outlet Covers
Best Outlet Replacement

Ziz Home Self-Closing Outlet Covers

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This safety-first solution for electrical outlets is ideal for homes with small children. They're inexpensive as well as fairly easy to install. Read More

Pros

  • Simple screwdriver installation
  • Self-closing outlets
  • Neutral white design

Cons

  • They're pretty thick
Product image of Hangman Furniture Anti-Tip Kit
Best Furniture Anchor

Hangman Furniture Anti-Tip Kit

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These anti-kits not only hold up to 400 pounds; their ingenious cotter-pin design also means that, once installed, you'll barely have to look at them. Read More

Pros

  • Small, clever design
  • Easy to install

Cons

  • None that we could find
  • Baby Gates
  • Best Baby Gate Cardinal Gates SS-30 Stairway Special Safety Gate
  • Best Value Baby Gate Regalo Easy Step Baby Gate
  • Electrical Outlets
  • Best Outlet Covers KidCo Outlet Caps (36 count)
  • Best Outlet Replacement Ziz Home Self-Closing Outlet Covers
  • Furniture and TV Anchors
  • Best Furniture Anchor Hangman Furniture Anti-Tip Kit
  • Best TV Straps Safety Baby Metal Furniture / TV Straps
  • Bathroom-specific Products
  • Best Spout Cover Puj Snug Spout Cover
  • Best Door Knob Cover Jool Baby Door Knob Covers
  • Cabinet Locks
  • Best Cabinet Latch / Drawer Lock Vmaisi Safety Magnetic Cabinet Locks
  • Best Multipurpose Latch Munchkin Xtraguard Dual Action Multi Use Latches
  • Edge Protection
  • Best Edge Guard Roving Cove Safe Edge Furniture Edge & Corner Cushions
  • More Articles You Might Enjoy

Here's the situation: Your child is six months old, and they're starting to get pretty good at crawling across the room. Maybe they’ve started standing on their own, cruising around your furniture. Pretty soon is when your baby starts walking and they won't slow down. If you haven't really thought about baby-proofing yet, then now is the time to start.

Looking at your home from your normal vantage point isn't going to be the most effective way to assess any potential hazards. The best thing to do is get onto your child’s level. It’s by sitting on the ground that you’ll start to get a sense for how your child sees the world.

Once you’re at a baby’s-eye view, you’ll notice some things. You may see that there's probably some sharp edges and corners in the form of a coffee table, some plugs about a foot up from your baseboards, and—oh, yeah—a lot of breakable or heavy objects.

But where do you ever start fixing all that? Luckily, you can easily baby-proof your home with minimal effort and a few bucks. The key is finding the best child-proofing gear for the job.

That's where we come in. We've browsed the best baby proofing products on the market to help you find the best safety gates, door locks, outlet covers, edge bumpers, and everything else you need to keep your child safe.

Editor's Note:

The recommendations in this guide are based on thorough product and market research by our team of expert product reviewers. The picks are based on examining user reviews, product specifications, and, in some limited cases, our experience with the specific products named.

Baby Gates

Baby gates are the best way to block off doorways, openings, stairways, and large areas (like fireplaces).
Credit: Cardinal / Regalo

Baby gates are the best way to block off doorways, openings, stairways, and large areas (like fireplaces).

Best Baby Gate
Cardinal Gates SS-30 Stairway Special Safety Gate

The Cardinal Gates Stairway Special sits about six inches from the floor. Often, molding, baseboards, or an intricate banister can prove difficult, but not for this one. The latch isn’t the prettiest or most obvious, but it’s simple to operate for an adult and not for toddlers.

One of the more uncommon features of this product is that this gate can be installed at a bit of an angle. While it may never be an issue in a newer home, oftentimes an older home may have more quirks and non-standard openings. That's where this gate (and probably only this gate) would work, thanks to the adjustments made available by design.

The Cardinal Gates Stairway Special gate is constructed from sturdy yet lightweight aluminum. You should have no problem installing this, as the instructions are great. For those who get a facial tick upon glancing at Swedish furniture instructions, trust that you won't have to worry about losing your weekend over this one.

Pros

  • Sturdy yet lightweight construction

  • Can be installed at an angle

  • Leaves minimal damage

Cons

  • None that we could find

Buy now at Amazon

$84.95 from Home Depot

$89.95 from Walmart
Best Value Baby Gate
Regalo Easy Step Baby Gate

If you’re looking for a less expensive but still effective gate, the Regalo Easy Step Gate is a good alternative. We liked how quick and easy the installation was, and that it yielded a solid feel without too much fuss. The downsides are the slim opening (16 inches) and the odd two-step handle to open the gate.

A lot of times, parents who tested this would turn sideways to fit through the narrow opening, which can be especially awkward at the top of the stairs. Still, the gate’s design does the job overall. This model uses screw-in wall cups to secure the gate to the wall and has a large, slightly clunky-looking, handle.

Pros

  • Quick, easy installation

  • Feels solid and sturdy

Cons

  • A couple lackluster features

$34.99 from Amazon

$34.99 from Target

$34.99 from Walmart

Electrical Outlets

Outlet covers from Ziz and Kidco
Credit: Ziz / Kidco

Outlets are dangerous, especially because they are accessible from an early age.

Best Outlet Covers
KidCo Outlet Caps (36 count)

Most people couldn't make do without easy access to an electrical outlet. Whether it’s to charge a phone or to plug in a blow dryer, we count on electricity to make things go. When there's a curious toddler around, you'll want to do your best to child proof your outlets, while still allowing yourself access.

Affordable and effective, the KidCo 36 ct Outlet Caps were the best ones we tested. Not only did they plug in easily, but they're easy for adults to remove thanks to a raised nub in the center of the cap. The cheaper models we looked at relied on a peeling motion to remove, which led to many of them breaking into pieces or cracking.

Pros

  • Easy for adults to remove

  • Durable

Cons

  • Easier to lose than an outlet-cover replacement

$9.99 from Amazon

$12.17 from Walmart
Best Outlet Replacement
Ziz Home Self-Closing Outlet Covers

One of the issues with plug covers? When you need to use the plug you need to put the cover somewhere, and little clear pieces of plastic have a way of getting lost. One easy solution for this is an outlet cover plate with built-in plug covers.

This is a slightly more expensive solution, but it'll work well if you're going to be using a particular outlet often. We like the Ziz Home Self-Closing Outlet Covers. While the price per outlet is much higher than using plugs, the added convenience may be worth it.

You don't have to do any electrical wiring to change an outlet cover plate. Just unscrew the old plate, put the new one in its place, and then replace the screws. When you need to plug something in, you'll use the prongs at the end of your device's cord and gently push the cover open with them. When you remove the device, the plastic will retract to shield the plug and help keep your baby safe.

Pros

  • Simple screwdriver installation

  • Self-closing outlets

  • Neutral white design

Cons

  • They're pretty thick

Buy now at Amazon

Furniture and TV Anchors

Securing furniture and TVs is critical to keeping your children safe, especially as they get bigger.
Credit: Safety Baby / Hangman

Securing furniture and TVs is critical to keeping your children safe, especially as they get bigger.

Best Furniture Anchor
Hangman Furniture Anti-Tip Kit

The 2016 recall of millions of Ikea dressers highlighted the fact that dressers or other heavy furniture could potentially tip over. While furniture designed for children will often include standardized furniture tie-downs, most of them are only simple plastic cable-ties.

We feel that there’s a better way to secure furniture, especially if you’re going to use these anti-tip kits more than once. The Hangman Anti-tip Kit holds 400 lbs with a genius cotter pin design. Sound familiar? The company put out a video on their Facebook page which received over 36 million views.

These are perfect for dressers or other large furniture. For televisions that aren't already mounted to the wall, we recommend securing them to whatever piece of furniture they're sitting on.

Pros

  • Small, clever design

  • Easy to install

Cons

  • None that we could find

Buy now at Amazon

$8.22 from Home Depot

$9.49 from Best Buy

$8.22 from Walmart
Best TV Straps
Safety Baby Metal Furniture / TV Straps

Nearly every TV comes with VESA-standard holes on the back—designed for letting you wall-mount the TV—which makes the job pretty easy. The best TV mounting straps we found were the Safety Baby Metal TV Straps.

The reviewers on Amazon agree, with 95% of the ratings being 4 or 5 stars. Installation is a breeze, and simply requires a screwdriver or drill. To tighten these into place there’s a simple ratcheting design.

If the Safety Baby straps are out of stock, we also think the Skyla Home Furniture and TV Anti-Tip Straps are a great alternative. While each strap is affordable, the manufacturer recommends multiple straps for any piece of furniture or TV just to be safe.

Pros

  • A breeze to install

Cons

  • None that we could find

Buy now at Amazon

Bathroom-specific Products

Door handle and spout covers are critical components to a safe (and private) bathroom experience.
Credit: Jool / Puj

Door handle and spout covers are critical components to a safe (and private) bathroom experience.

Best Spout Cover
Puj Snug Spout Cover

There are a few different areas of interest in the bathroom that you'll want to protect. First up is the faucet in the bathtub. While babies are generally bathed in a self-contained tub, they'll eventually grow out of that. Growing kids can easily slip and fall, or perhaps bump into the faucet and injure themselves.

The Puj Snug was our favorite faucet protector thanks to its cute design, resilient materials, and easy installation. Some of the other models we tested grew mold, or they never fit right. The Snug is soft enough to provide a cushion against bumps, but not so cumbersome that you can't get it onto the faucet.

Puj also has a great set of adhesive bath treads. These are small discs that provide some traction in the tub for when your child is moving around. This becomes critical once they can stand on their own in the tub. We liked that unlike larger pads or suction-cupped discs, these are easy to keep clean.

Pros

  • Cute design

  • Resilient materials

  • Easy to install and clean

Cons

  • None that we could find

$10.50 from Walmart
Best Door Knob Cover
Jool Baby Door Knob Covers

The other thing you'll want to secure about the bathroom? The door handle. It may not be the first thing you think of, but we felt it deserved inclusion for one reason: Sometimes you just need a moment to yourself. While doorknob locks aren't the most glamorous or high-tech item in our stable of products, they have their purpose.

The Jool Baby Door Knob Lock is incredibly easy to use, with a snap-on design that renders doors impossible for a toddler to open. You may want to practice once or twice yourself, to get the hang of it. Make sure you just put it on the outside knob—you don't want your toddler locking themselves in accidentally. For doors without round knobs, you can try simple hook and eye latches.

We've also had luck with these over-the-door sliding latches, which can be unlocked from either side of the door. Just know they're designed for standard size doors. If you have tight door jambs you may need to do some light sanding to get it to slide freely.

Pros

  • Easy, snap-on installation

  • Impossible for toddlers to open

Cons

  • Only for standard, round doorknobs

Buy now at Amazon

$8.82 from Walmart

Cabinet Locks

Whether you have standard cabinets, drawers, or various appliances and trash cans to secure, there are lots of options.
Credit: Munchkin / VMAISI

Whether you have standard cabinets, drawers, or various appliances and trash cans to secure, there are lots of options.

Best Cabinet Latch / Drawer Lock
Vmaisi Safety Magnetic Cabinet Locks

Cabinets are quite possibly the biggest source of frustration for those who are preparing to baby-proof their home. We're here to say that it's not that hard. Cabinet locks come in three distinct flavors: magnetic locks, push-down tabs, and the less-popular fabric ties.

We didn't consider any of the fabric variety, and instead focused on magnetic and push down tabs, both of which require some amount of drilling into your cabinets. While you may be worried about causing damage, keep in mind that it's pretty easy to patch a hole in a place no one sees.

Our favorite cabinet latches were the VMAISI 12-Pack Children Proof Cupboard Baby Latches—especially because they are such an inexpensive option. While the magnetic ones might seem easier, they do require a separate magnet key.

Bringing an extra object into the process gives you something extra to lose. It can also complicate things in a hurry. You can wind up hovering or tapping the key over the cabinets until you find the magnet, which inevitably is going to leave a mark.

These plastic tab-style locks only let the door open an inch or two, just enough to allow the parent to simply press down the tab to open the rest of the way. Even though there’s a bit of give to the design, there’s not enough for a small child to be able to break them. We found that these were surprisingly durable, especially when compared to the more expensive versions on the market.

Pros

  • Surprisingly durable

Cons

  • None that we could find

Buy now at Amazon
Best Multipurpose Latch
Munchkin Xtraguard Dual Action Multi Use Latches

In addition to kitchen and bathroom cabinets, you likely also need to secure other things in your home that open and close. If you need to secure a microwave, fridge, or oven, the Munchkin XtraGuard Dual Action Multi Use Latches are a great choice.

You just mount one side to the door and the other to the device or a secure mounting point with included 3M adhesive squares. For just a few bucks a pop, you can easily lock down a cabinet, door, or appliance. They can also stand in as a toilet lock.

Even though these open with a simple pinch, a toddler won’t be able to figure it out thanks to its sleek design. User reviews overwhelmingly agree, with reviews averaging 4.5 stars on Amazon.

Our only warning from experience is to make sure you're not sticking these to anything with a very cheap veneer (such as those ultra-cheap bathroom vanities you'll find at big box stores). The adhesive is strong and may peel away the top layer, leaving a permanent mark. For any solid wood furniture, plastic, or metal you should be fine.

Pros

  • Clever, toddler-safe design

  • Great for home appliances and bathroom vanities

Cons

  • May cause light adhesive damage

$10.96 from Amazon

$17.19 from Walmart

Edge Protection

The Roving Cove edge bumpers provide padded protection for furniture with sharp edges.
Credit: Roving Cove

The Roving Cove edge bumpers provide padded protection for furniture with sharp edges.

Best Edge Guard
Roving Cove Safe Edge Furniture Edge & Corner Cushions

You can't be everywhere and see everything all the time. As your tot begins to stand, and sometimes stumble, it's a good idea to cover up the edges and corners of hard surfaces. This includes coffee tables, desks, and even fireplaces. We found that the Roving Cove Baby-Proofing Edge & Corner Guards work the best, and that they provide a lot of cushion in a low-profile, 0.4-inch design.

These strips are twice as dense as the competition, and they’re free of all of the bad stuff you normally find in foam products. Other models we tested left residue after uninstalling or they weren't as cushioned. If you don't need the edge guards, you can also just purchase the corners in a four-pack.

Pros

  • Low-profile, 0.4-inch design

  • Extra cushion

Cons

  • None that we could find

Buy now at Amazon

$28.94 from Walmart

Meet the tester

Matthew DeLauder

Matthew DeLauder

Contributor

Matthew DeLauder is a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician and baby gear expert with a decade of experience in the specialty product space.

See all of Matthew DeLauder's reviews

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