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I've seen plenty of baby-proofing hacks floating around the internet, and sure, they'll keep your wee one from getting a gaping head wound, but they won't keep your guests from gaping at the pool noodles duct taped to the edges of your coffee table...
We're finally grown-ups. We have grown up things. We want our homes to look grown up (even if there are sticky yogurt handprints on every surface...)
I wasn't willing to compromise on either safety or aesthetic, so I found some pretty great solutions that span the gap.
(Links to all of the products I used can be found at the bottom of this post)
1. Table Corner Protectors
I got a 20 pack of these clear,adhesive table protectors. They were super easy to apply, they're barely noticeable (someone actually asked me if they were part of the table), and so far they've survived being pulled at and gnawed on by curious hands and mouths, and if they eventually come off, I have a whole bunch of replacements at the ready!
2. Clear Outlet Covers
These too came in a giant multi-pack. We've managed to fill every empty outlet in our 2 bedroom apartment with one pack. They're nice and flat, so they don't catch annoyingly on things, and they're clear, so they don't draw your attention. They draw so little attention, in fact, that Bubba hasn't even noticed them yet, but when he inevitably does, they stay in well enough that I doubt even his mischievous little paws will be able to pry them out.
3. Adhesive Magnetic Cabinet Locks
I have very few things around the house that are dangerous or toxic, but those that I do have are now safely locked away from curious gums. With this pack of locks all you have to do is stick two 3M adhesive-backed pieces to your cabinet and... that's it. No drilling, no screws, no holes. Renter friendly, for the win! They come with a super strong magnet key that, with a little practice, I can now use to unlock the cabinet and open it with one hand. The one thing I would say with these is: keep in mind how many rooms you'll be using them in. If you have two bathrooms and a kitchen to lock up, make sure you get three keys.
4. Free-standing Baby (pet) Fence
We're on the second floor, so our balcony is basically a death trap, but we like having the screen door open to let in the (Winter) Arizona air. The screen is flimsy, and even with 16 lbs leaning on it it was bowing something fierce; the sliding door is also only single paned (because apparently no one has explained insulation to these people) and looks like it could crack with very little effort. So we needed something that would keep Bubs at a safe distance, would still allow Cally access to her cat door, and didn't look like garbage. I found this Craftsman-inspired one on eBay for just $40! (A steal. Trust me. I Googled, like, a lot.)
5. Smash-proof Coasters
Now, these are not usually on the typical baby proofing shopping list, but if you have glass tables, they should be. We had a set that my cousin made for us that have Ernst Haeckel and Muscha illustrations on them. They're amazing. They're also porcelain tiles (aka hard af). Bubba was determined to slam them into our glass coffee table as hard as possible and it was just inevitable that he was going to smash it eventually. So I got these! They're cute, they'r cheap, and he can throw them around the room if he wants.
6. Furniture Straps
Now these I haven't installed yet because I'm going to paint our bedroom set and will need to move around our dresser, but these came highly recommended and won't be visible from behind your furniture or TV.
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