Parent Savers: Empowering New Parents · New Mommy Media | Independent Podcast Network

Baby Proofing Your Home

·39 min·3 clips

Robert Lockheimer explains why most home accidents occur and how he started baby-proofing thousands of homes.

This episode of Parent Savers features host Kasey Wilt and guest Robert Lockheimer, founder of Baby Safe Homes, discussing comprehensive strategies for childproofing. The conversation includes parents Sunny Galt, Danelle Datois, and Michelle Franklin, who share their experiences with toddlers and infants. Robert Lockheimer is a certified childproofing consultant with 15 years of experience, referred by major San Diego hospitals. Lockheimer advises starting to assess safety hazards before bringing a baby home, with serious childproofing like gates and latches recommended between six and nine months when crawling begins. He states children often figure out safety devices around 24 months, with gates typically defeated by climbing before opening. The first priority is securing chemicals and medicines, as flavored children's medications pose a particular ingestion risk. Lockheimer explains that no single latch style works for all cabinetry, so professionals use multiple types tailored to each drawer and cabinet. He strongly advises against leaving one kitchen cabinet unlocked for play, as it teaches children the kitchen is a play area, which can lead to burns from stovetop items. For toilets, locks are primarily for drowning prevention, with removable door locks suggested as an alternative to restrict bathroom access. The philosophy is to either childproof a room fully or use barriers to keep children out of unsafe spaces like home offices or gyms. Falls are cited as the number one cause of home injury, making strapping furniture like TVs and dressers to the wall a critical measure. A surprising insight is that common door stop caps are a major choking hazard and should be replaced with solid, child-safe versions. Lockheimer reveals that outlet plugs can be a suffocation risk if left out, recommending self-closing outlet plates instead, especially where devices with transformers are plugged in. He notes that outdoor areas cannot be fully childproofed, requiring constant supervision due to hazards like plants, stones, and pools. For pools, removable fencing is recommended over netting, as the fence remains a barrier even during pool use. An interesting moment is Lockheimer's clarification that pressure-mounted gates often damage walls more than properly installed, stud-mounted gates, which leave only pinhole-sized holes. He also addresses the challenge of pet bowls, suggesting they be placed in areas the child cannot access. The episode includes a listener voicemail about sunscreen application, answered by a pediatric dermatologist in a later segment. The tone is conversational and advisory, blending expert guidance with relatable parent anecdotes and questions. The style is educational and practical, focused on actionable tips rather than debate. This episode is ideal for new or expecting parents seeking a thorough, room-by-room guide to home safety for crawlers and toddlers. Listeners looking for a quick, high-level overview or those with older children who have moved past this stage might find the detailed product discussions less relevant.

As heard by us

Practical baby proofing guidance for parents dealing with everyday home hazards.

It treats baby proofing as a practical reaction to a child who has suddenly started reaching for everything, from pantry trouble to a steady stream of things not to touch.

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Why you'd press play

You need actual baby-gate advice, not vague safety slogans.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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