How Much Will It Cost to Baby Proof My Home?

Based on our product research, it costs anywhere from $252 to $780 to baby proof a two-bedroom home—but it could cost much more than that depending on your particular household hazards. We'll list out the products we used to reach that estimate and give you some money-saving tips to ease the sticker shock. 

If your home doesn't have too many hazards, the top general babyproofing items could cost as low as $139. Otherwise, your baby-proofing costs could climb higher than $550. 

The size and layout of your home makes a huge difference in the cost of babyproofing. For example, if you live in a one-story home, you might not need any window guards—one of the most expensive baby-proofing items. And if you don't have a raised fireplace hearth, you won't need a special edge cover. 

We're looking at the total cost of babyproofing here, but you don't have to buy all of these baby-proofing items at once.

For example, you don't need corner guards until your kiddo is running around and at risk of bonking into a sharp edge. But you'll need a baby gate much sooner—once your baby starts crawling around, or even from day one if you're working on introducing your dog to your baby.

Learn more about when to baby proof your home.

There are also a few things you can buy second-hand without compromising safety. As long as you thoroughly inspect all parts, you can buy some of the more expensive items like baby gates, window guards, and stove guards from friends, family, or upcycle stores. (Remember that cribs and car seats should always be bought new.)

Sometimes the best thing you can do is just limit access with a baby gate or a closed door. Move breakable decorations or put them away for a few years. Keep lower kitchen cabinets empty or full of harmless things that are okay for your child to play with. Twist-tie blind cords to an upper slat cord.

We've seen many baby-proofing ideas that use pool noodles, such as for hinge guards and edge guards. Just keep in mind that they may not last very long or offer the same level of cushioning as products intended for baby proofing. And if your child is a chewer, beware that these things tear apart into choke-able chunks.     

We estimate that the average two-bedroom home would need around $56 to $169 in electrical hazard babyproofing supplies. You might need more if you're a bonafide tech-lover or have an in-home office, for example. More cords and outlets mean more expense in this area.

Electrical hazards abound in the average home:

• Babies can stick their fingers or small objects into unused and unprotected sockets.
• Toddlers can yank cords from an outlet or surge protector, exposing them to sparks and a dangerous open socket.
• Long cords may be enticing for babies to chew on, and they also pose a strangulation risk.

If you can afford to, it doesn't hurt to cover every outlet in your home. You never know where your baby will strike with those curious fingers. 

Otherwise, take stock of the outlets that are near ground level and aren't blocked by furniture. Use basic outlet covers for those not currently in use, and get box covers for those in constant use.

Instead of using a cord cover, tidy up long cord bundles with zip ties and raise them out of reach as much as possible. Put a small eyelet screw into a wall stud and zip-tie the whole bundle to it if you need a secure attachment.

You can also repurpose old plastic storage containers into surge protector covers:

1. Find one that's longer than the surge protector and is tall enough for each plug. Something shoe-box size works great. 
2. Drill a hole in the side for the surge protector cord. Cut a slot from the hole to the top of the container so that you can slide the cord in from the top.
3. Cut or drill slots along the edge of the lid for the accessory cords.
4. Duct tape the lid to the base for extra strength. If the edges of the slots are sharp, wrap them with duct tape.

It's not exactly farmhouse chic, but it works.

It would cost around $57 to babyproof one bathroom, not including cabinet locks.

Kids can get into a lot of trouble in the bathroom if they're not supervised or thwarted by babyproofing gear. Read our guide to bathroom safety for kids for a complete rundown of what to look for.

Definitely add cabinet locks and toilet locks in every bathroom to keep your kid out of trouble. As for bathtubs, you only need to babyproof the one you'll use for your kids. 

Some cabinet locks are long enough to be used on a toilet, which can save you some money.

You can also wrap a thick towel over the tub spout to protect your kid's noggin. Secure it in place with a rubber band or some good ol' duct tape. 

A bathwater thermometer isn't strictly necessary since you can stick your hand in to feel whether the water is too hot or cold. But if you're prone to brain fog or worry when you've had a busy day of parenting, it's nice to have a thermometer that confirms the temp for you. 

After adding up the totals from the general, electrical, and bathroom baby-proofing categories, we reached a grand total of $252 to $780 for baby proofing a two-bedroom home.  

The cost will go up if you have special areas of concern, like a garage, shed, or pool. And if you own firearms, don't forget to buy a gun safe before your kid starts to walk. 

Read our room-by-room baby-proofing guide for a few more product ideas and tips.

• Baby and Child Safety FAQ
• Prevent Pool Disasters With These Top Pool Safety Products
• How to Poison-Proof Every Room of Your Home
• Is Baby Powder Safe?
• Can Radio Waves from Baby Monitoring Devices Harm My Baby?