The best time to hire a childproofing professional is at least three months before your due date. Although it might seem early, proper childproofing takes time, especially if you need extensive services like a pool fence. Getting your house ready now before your child is on the go only helps to protect them at all stages of life.
Yes, tamper-resistant outlets are designed to be safe for use in homes with children. They feature a spring-loaded shutter that blocks the electrical slots when not in use, which helps protect children from electric shock if they try to insert an object. While they are the safest option available and highly effective, it's important to note that few things are truly 'childproof.' Children may still try to imitate adults by inserting a plug. For this reason, it's best to use tamper-resistant outlets over less effective solutions like plastic covers, which can be removed or pose a choking hazard. Always supervise young children around any electrical outlets or devices.
The average cost of childproofing services is $410. This cost can range from $190 to $630 or more, depending on the size of your home and what services you need.
The location of the childproofing additions also plays a vital role in the overall cost. For example, a bathroom is relatively small and costs about $150 to fully childproof. However, if you have a swimming pool, you could spend as much as $1,500 to $10,000 to make it entirely safe for small children, including adding a pool fence.
A professional childproofer will first survey your home to identify potentially dangerous locations, including stairs, cabinets, and pools. Once approved, your professional will order and install the safety equipment for you.
Some ways a childproofing professional will make your home safe include:
Anchoring large furniture
Installing safety gates
Installing safety latches on cabinets and drawers
Covering railings that could trap a child
Covering electrical outlets
Installing a swimming pool fence
Removing or covering electrical cords where possible
In many cases, you can DIY home childproofing with success. You can purchase childproofing tools like cabinet locks, outlet covers, and table-edge guards and install them easily.
However, it's best to have a professional childproofing service work on larger projects like pool safety or furniture anchoring. These safety measures can take a lot of time and effort to DIY, plus, you want to ensure the tasks are done correctly to keep your child safe.
The Worcester, MA homeowners’ guide to childproofing services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
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