How to Childproof Your Home: Handyman Tips for Safety in Middletown, DE
- laserfocusedsolutions
- Sep 5, 2025
- 6 min read
Updated: Oct 29, 2025
Creating a safe home for your kids is one of the most important things you can do as a parent. Babies and toddlers are naturally curious, they love to explore, touch, and climb. Unfortunately, this curiosity can lead to accidents if your home isn’t properly childproofed.
If you live in Middletown, DE or nearby areas like Bear, Townsend, or Smyrna, this guide will show you practical childproofing steps and how a professional handyman can make the job easier and safer.
Why Childproofing Matters
You’re in the middle of cooking dinner when your little one crawls straight for an open cabinet full of cleaning supplies. Before you can even turn around, danger is within reach. It’s a scary thought for any parent and a strong reason why childproofing your home should be a priority.
According to Stanford Children's Health, about 2,000 children ages 14 and under die each year from unintentional home injuries, and children ages 19 and under make approximately 8,000 emergency room visits each day due to falls at home. [1] Simple steps, like locking cabinets and securing furniture, can prevent most of these incidents.
Families in Middletown, DE want their homes to be safe and comfortable, not just for adults but especially for children. By taking the time to childproof your home, you’re giving yourself peace of mind and creating a safer space for your kids to explore, play, and grow.
Start with a Safety Assessment
Before you start buying safety gadgets, take a good look around your home. Walk through each room and think like a curious toddler, what can they reach, pull, or put in their mouth? Open cabinets, check under tables, and look for sharp corners, loose cords, or unlocked doors. Most accidents happen because hazards are easy for kids to access.
Handyman Childproofing Checklist
A professional handyman often uses a simple checklist to make sure nothing is missed:
Lock cabinets that store cleaning products, medicine, or sharp tools.
Cover electrical outlets and secure loose cords.
Anchor heavy furniture and TVs to the wall so they don’t tip over.
Install safety gates at stairways and doors leading outside.
Check windows for proper locks and add window guards if needed.
This type of checklist helps parents cover areas they might forget, like securing appliances or adding door stops to prevent finger injuries. [2]
Why Hire a Local Middletown Handyman?
While you can do some of these tasks on your own, hiring a local Middletown handyman can save you time and give you peace of mind. A skilled handyman knows the right products, installs them correctly, and ensures every safety measure is in place. This means fewer mistakes, faster work, and a safer home for your children.
Common Areas to Childproof and How
Every room in your home has different risks for children. Here’s how to make the most important areas safe:
A. Kitchen Safety
The kitchen is one of the most dangerous rooms for kids because of hot surfaces, sharp objects, and cleaning products.
Install cabinet locks to keep kids away from detergents, knives, and chemicals. [2]
Use stove guards to prevent little hands from touching hot burners or grabbing pots and pans.
Secure heavy appliances like microwaves and ovens to prevent them from tipping over if a child pulls on them. [3]
B. Living Room
The living room seems safe, but it has furniture that can fall or edges that can hurt.
Anchor heavy furniture and TVs to the wall so they don’t tip over. TV and furniture tip-overs send thousands of children to the ER each year.
Cover sharp corners of coffee tables and shelves with edge guards to prevent head injuries. [2]
C. Bathroom
Bathrooms have slippery surfaces and water hazards, so extra care is needed.
Install anti-scald devices on faucets to prevent burns from hot water.
Use toilet locks to keep children from opening the lid and slipping in. [2]
Add slip-resistant mats to the floor and inside the bathtub to prevent falls.
D. Bedrooms
Bedrooms should be cozy and safe for kids to sleep and play.
Install window locks and choose cordless blinds to prevent falls and strangulation risks.
Secure dressers and cribs to the wall so they can’t tip over when kids climb on them.
Essential Handyman Solutions for Childproofing
Some childproofing tasks are best handled by a professional handyman because they require proper installation for safety. Here are a few essential solutions:
Installing Safety Gates at Stairs
Stairs are one of the biggest hazards for toddlers. A simple trip can lead to serious injuries. Installing sturdy safety gates at the top and bottom of the stairs can prevent falls. Handymen can make sure the gates are securely mounted to the wall or banister, not just pressure-fitted, for better safety. [2]
Adding Outlet Covers and Childproof Electrical Solutions
Curious little fingers often explore electrical outlets. Adding outlet covers or tamper-resistant receptacles keeps kids from inserting objects into sockets, which can cause shocks or burns. A handyman can install these quickly and make sure they meet safety standards.
Loose wires and cords from lamps, TVs, or electronics can be a tripping hazard or even cause strangulation if children play with them. A handyman can organize and secure these cords with cord covers or by tucking them behind furniture to keep them out of reach.
By letting a professional handle these installations, you save time and ensure everything is properly secured. This gives you peace of mind that your home is safe for your little ones.
DIY vs. Professional Help
When it comes to childproofing your home, some tasks are easy to do on your own, while others are better left to a professional. Here’s how to decide:
Simple tasks like plugging in outlet covers, putting corner guards on tables, or using cabinet locks that stick with adhesive can usually be done without special tools or skills. These are quick and inexpensive fixes that most parents can handle.
When to Call a Professional Handyman
Some safety measures need proper installation to be truly secure. For example:
Mounting heavy furniture and TVs to the wall requires drilling and strong anchors.
Installing safety gates at the top of stairs should be done correctly so they don’t loosen over time.
Securing cords, adding window guards, or adjusting doors often need tools and experience.
If these jobs aren’t done right, they can still pose a risk to your child
Benefits of Hiring a Middletown Handyman
Hiring a local Middletown handyman saves you time and stress. Here’s why:
They know the best childproofing products that meet safety standards.
They have the right tools for a secure and neat installation.
They can check the whole house for risks you might have missed.
This gives you peace of mind knowing everything is installed safely and correctly.
Cost of Childproofing Your Home in Middletown, DE
One common question parents have is, “How much will childproofing cost?” The answer depends on the size of your home, the number of rooms, and the types of safety products you need.
Average Handyman Rates for Childproofing
In Middletown, DE, handyman rates usually range between $50 to $100 per hour, depending on the complexity of the job and materials used (HomeAdvisor). Some common costs include:
Installing safety gates: $75–$150 each (including labor).
Anchoring furniture and TVs: $80–$200 per piece.
Adding outlet covers and cord management: $50–$100 for multiple outlets.
These prices can vary, but hiring a professional ensures the job is done right the first time.
How Professional Installation Can Prevent Costly Accidents
While DIY may seem cheaper, mistakes can lead to serious accidents, and even hospital visits. According to the CDC, the average cost of a child injury treated in the ER is over $1,000, and some cases can cost much more if hospitalization is needed. [4] Investing in proper childproofing is far less expensive than paying for medical bills or dealing with long-term injuries.
By hiring a trusted Middletown handyman, you protect your children and avoid unexpected costs from accidents at home.
Final Safety Checklist
Before you call it done, go through this quick checklist to make sure your home is safe for your little ones. These are the key areas most parents need to cover:
Kitchen
Cabinet locks installed on doors with cleaning products
Stove guards in place to prevent burns
Heavy appliances secured to prevent tipping
Living Room
TVs and furniture anchored to walls
Sharp corners covered with edge guards
Bathroom
Anti-scald devices on faucets
Toilet locks installed
Slip-resistant mats on floors and tubs
Bedrooms
Window locks or guards installed
Cordless blinds to prevent strangulation
Dressers and cribs anchored
Electrical Safety
Outlet covers installed
Loose cords secured and hidden
Childproofing your home takes time and attention, but you don’t have to do it alone. The team at Laser Focused Solutions is here to help you make your home safe for your little ones.
If you’re in Middletown, DE or nearby areas like Bear, Townsend, or Smyrna, we can handle everything, from installing safety gates and cabinet locks to securing furniture and electrical outlets.
Call us today at (302) 316-3726
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