Guess I Should Worry More About Electrocution & Less about Swine Flu

This is what my toddler does when she manages to get her hands on my keys:

Let's pretend this outlet is a car ignition and put a key in here!

Now before you freak out and call DFS on me, I did NOT risk my baby’s life for a photo opportunity. This outlet is protected by one of my favorite child-proofing devices. The outlet cover swivels, and it takes some dexterity and know-how to use the prongs of a plug to swivel the covers into place so the prongs can slide into the outlet.

That brings me to another of may favorite child-proofing devices, which is featured in the video below. It’s called a “Double-touch Plug N Outlet Cover” by Safety 1st which allows you to have items plugged into an outlet while also keeping it baby-proofed.  As you will see in this video, my toddler was NOT happy about having her favorite, face-level outlet covered with a more effective device. We had been using those little plastic outlet plugs, which she promptly used her teeth and tongue to remove.

I’m not sure what her fascination with outlets is, but between keeping her from getting electrocuted and preventing her from falling off of furniture or securing furniture to prevent it from falling onto her, I don’t have enough time to worry about the swine flu. So far, we’ve secured one bookcase and one antique radio as a result of this story on CBS This Morning.

Here is a post on two of my other favorite child-proofing devices. Do you have a favorite device of child-safety tip?

My Favorite Childproof Gadget

My baby is almost 10 months and is crawling all over the place.  We have a finished basement, and my two older children cannot remember to close the basement door.  I won’t be able to change that fact no matter how much I nag. (The first step is acceptance.)

When my oldest was a baby, we lived in another home with an unfinished basement.  While there weren’t other children around to forget to close the basement door, the fall would’ve been down wooden steps to a concrete floor.  The thought of that door being left open caused me to break out in a cold sweat.  So, I searched until I found a baby proofing gadget to fit my needs — something that would automatically close that door.  It did the trick and I loved it, but we left it behind when we moved.  I didn’t even know what it was called.  A few days ago, I did a Google search for “child safety door closer” and I found it — the same gadget  that I had before.  It arrived today and I’m so pleased.  My husband will be installing it tonight.

Here is my other favorite baby proofing tool.  I’ve had these on my pantry doors since my 10-year-old son was 2.  I still use them to “lock” the pantry and “announce” that it’s closed because I’m fixing dinner!

Now, I’ve got to start baby proofing the rest of the house.  Do you have any favorite products or suggestions for things like electrical cords, fireplaces, drawers that might smash little fingers, etc.?