Grandkids visiting? How to babyproof your home, without losing your mind!

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It’s the school holidays and your grown-up kids, and THEIR kids, are on the way over. Hopefully, they’ve given you a heads up, at least by a day or two, so you can get those knitting needles out of reach and if you’re like me, hide the iPad so they don’t use up all your bonuses on Candy Crush!

But on a serious note, your home is unlikely to be babyproof or toddler-friendly. Your children moved out years ago and this may be the first time you will have toddlers roaming around your very grown-up lounge and kitchen.

We’ve been there, and with grandkids aged between 1 and 14 years old, we’ve found a few ways to keep them safe without making the house look like a nursery.

Don’t have much time? Get down to the Toddler’s-Eye View

We’ve covered what we can in this blog, but the best way to really be prepared is to get down low and see your home from a toddler's perspective. Yes I know, that’s easier said than done, but it’s the best way to really see what catches your eye and what you can quickly move or hide.

I did this and immediately spotted the little LED on our sofa recliner and knew “That’s going to get pressed”, so I turned off the reclining chairs before our grandchildren’s visit to avoid them being used as an electric sofa swing!

Getting low also allows you to scan for any choking or edible hazards, such as a button, batteries, a stray magnet off the fridge and more.

Lock the Low Cupboards & Drawers

Those tiny hands love to explore new cupboards. If you have the time, install cabinet locks or latches on anything dodgy within their reach, especially in the kitchen and bathroom. Any draw or cupboard where you store cleaning supplies, sharp tools, batteries and even heavy pots can all be dangerous. The last thing you want is your grandson carrying around a bottle of bleach.

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Arthritis friendly cupboard locks

BABYGO® Magnetic Child Safety Cupboard Locks

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But remember this is your home, so you may get away with not locking down all the draws if they don’t contain anything of risk. We let our youngest granddaughters play with the Tupperware in our bottom kitchen draw as a way of getting 10 minutes of peace and quiet!

Turn Off the Plug Sockets

Here in the UK, we’re lucky to have our plug sockets require an earth pin. This unappreciated little pin provides a crucial safety feature where our plug sockets shutters remain closed when not in use. It means we don’t need socket covers, and using them is actually more dangerous than having none (see the Which.co.uk website here for more).

So save some pennies, and simply turn off any plug socket switches you have! If you can, you could try to hide the entire socket with a storage box or a chair so little eyes and hands find something better to do.

Secure Bookcases and Furniture which could be pulled over

Toddlers love to climb! Secure any bookshelves, dressers, and the television to the wall where possible.

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We used these furniture straps on our tall Ikea Billy bookcase. 

Furniture Straps (10 Pack)

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Put Breakables Out of Reach

Move vases, potpourri bowls, candles, picture frames and delicate items to higher shelves or store them away temporarily. If they are out of reach, make sure they still cannot be accessible from some creative climbing or strategic kicking when being held.

We lost a beautiful glass jug which was out of the way when our granddaughter kicked out whilst my daughter carried her passed a window! It was bad luck and it made us rethink where we put things.

Install Baby Gates (Top & Bottom of Stairs)

This is a biggie (and I appreciate an obvious to 99% of us), small children and staircases are not best friends. If your grandkids are staying with you for any length of time, a stairgate is needed (unless of course you have eyes in the back of your head and will never need a toilet break). This is also the biggest adjustment you will make, but is worth it if you have the kids over often.

A sturdy baby gate keeps the toddlers away from stairs as well as off-limits rooms. If they’re only ever downstairs, then having one at the bottom of the stairs is vital so they cannot go exploring upstairs to jump on ‘grandma’s bed’, but if they’re staying over, one at the top and bottom is the safest option.

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You can normally pick up a stairgate very cheap (or free) on places like Facebook Marketplace.

Derimkcoa Retractable Stair Gate

Again, thinking about our hands, this one from Amazon is really easy to open and there are no bars or frames to worry about, so no trip hazards for you when left open.

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Hide Cords & Cables

They’ll tug on whatever they can, and a long charging cable looking like a skipping rope! Try to get these out of sight and out of reach. Bundle and secure lamp cords, TV wires and blinds cords so they’re out of the way.

Use Corner Guards on Sharp Edges

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Because coffee tables and fireplaces are at just the right height for a bumped head. It’s super quick and easy to add covers to sharp corners for the ‘just in case’ moments.

Corner Protection and Edge Protection for Baby and Children

Easy to apply and not too garish!

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Close of Access to Fireplaces

Fireplaces are a beautiful addition to your home, but can be dangerous in multiple ways to littlens. They may have a tiled edge which can be tripped on, headbutted or, the obvious, if the fireplace is in use during the winter. Toddler-proof it by blocking off access in anyway possible. If you don’t wish to go all out for a guard, consider using corner guards on any protruding corners of the fireplace tiles or surround. And with no intention to state the obvious, don’t use it during the grandchildren visiting.

Ensure Doors are Controlled

If your grandkids are anything like mine, they are obsessed with opening or closing doors. They have serious FOMO (fear of missing out) and just HAVE to see what’s behind the ay door they can move. We are a big fan of simple door stops which cannot be easily removed by small hands, such as rubber door wedges. If wedges on the floor aren’t your thing, then door finger guards are also an option.

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If wedges on the floor aren’t your thing, then temporary door finger guards are also an option.

6 Pack -1.5CM Door Pinch Guard

Just pop them on high before the grandchildren visit to protect their fingers

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Windows

Most windows are fitted with locks, but be mindful of adventurous toddlers who love to look out of the window, and particularly in the summertime when the windows may be open. Look for potential climbing routes to windowsills, because if a toddler has a will, they’ll find a way!

Also consider any cords or strings from your blinds, which can be strangulation risks. I know, it seems extreme, but it takes only a second to tuck them higher out of the way and it’s one less thing to worry about.  

Need A Secure Zone? Go All Out with a Playpen

Use a portable playpen or set up a toddler proofed area where they can play with age-appropriate toys while you keep an eye on them (and maybe enjoy a cup of tea!)

You could also use a travel cot for very small toddlers and babies who are not crawling yet but who you wish to keep them off the floor and away from any cats and dogs.

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We love the size, colour and cost of this playpen as they can be a bit expensive.

Ugozee Baby Playpen for Babies and Toddlers

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If you have a bigger budget, there are playpens which fold away within seconds and can easily be transported.

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