Gear and homeGuide
Childproofing Devices CPSC Recommends, and How to Pick Them
The childproofing devices on CPSC's list, from cabinet latches and outlet covers to anchors and gates, what CPSC says to look for, and one latch recall.
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CPSC’s childproofing guide recommends a short list of devices: furniture and TV anchors, cabinet and drawer latches, outlet covers and plates, safety gates, door knob covers, corner bumpers, anti-scald devices, window guards, cordless window coverings and smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Each only works if installed properly and re-engaged after every use.
CPSC adds a caution worth keeping in mind: “no device is completely childproof; determined toddlers have been known to overcome or disable them.”
The devices on CPSC’s list
| Device | What it helps prevent, per CPSC | What CPSC says to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Furniture and TV anchors | Tip-overs that crush young children | Anchor to the wall or floor; anti-tip brackets for freestanding ranges |
| Cabinet and drawer latches and locks | Poisonings and injuries from medicines, detergents, cleaners, matches, lighters, knives | Easy for adults to install and use, sturdy against pulls and tugs |
| Outlet covers and outlet plates | Electrical shock and electrocution | Not easily removed by children, large enough not to choke on |
| Safety gates | Falls down stairs, access to dangerous rooms | Meets current child safety standards; at the top of stairs, screws to the wall; never a pet gate |
| Door knob covers and door locks | Entry to rooms with hazards | Sturdy, but an adult can open the door quickly in an emergency |
| Corner and edge bumpers | Injuries from falls against sharp edges | Stays securely on furniture or hearth edges |
| Anti-scald devices | Burns from hot water | For faucets and shower heads; water heater at 120°F or lower |
| Window guards and safety netting | Falls from windows, balconies and decks | Openings of 4 inches or less; one window per room usable as a fire escape |
| Cordless window coverings | Strangulation on cords | Cordless products, or tension devices on loops and bead chains |
| Smoke and CO alarms | Fire deaths and carbon monoxide poisoning | Smoke alarms on every level and in each bedroom; CO alarms near sleeping areas |
Cabinet and drawer latches
CPSC recommends latches and locks on cabinets and drawers in kitchens, bathrooms and other areas, to keep children away from medicines, laundry detergent, household cleaners and sharp objects. It notes that even products in child-resistant packaging “should be locked away and kept out of reach,” because that packaging “is not childproof.”
If you suspect a child has swallowed something poisonous, CPSC gives the poison control number: (800) 222-1222.
Latches can be recalled too. North States Industries recalled about 103,000 Toddleroo Rotating Cabinet Latches on September 29, 2022; CPSC’s hazard statement reads: “The latching button can dislodge and detach from the cabinet latches, posing a choking hazard to young children.” Check the brand and name of any latch you own at cpsc.gov/Recalls.
Cabinet and drawer latches
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Outlet covers and plates
CPSC’s two tests for an outlet protector: it “cannot be easily removed by children” and is “large enough so that children cannot choke on” it. Self-closing outlet plates replace the cover plate and slide shut when a plug is removed, so there is no loose piece to lose or swallow. For new or replacement receptacles, CPSC says to use a tamper-resistant type, which is an electrician’s job if you are not comfortable with wiring.
Outlet covers and self-closing plates
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In our search of CPSC’s 2016 to 2025 recall records, we found no recall of outlet covers or plates, and one recall of cabinet latches (the Toddleroo above). That is a snapshot, not a guarantee; search any device before you install it.
Gates and anchors
Gates and furniture anchors have their own rules. CPSC says to use safety gates “that meet current child safety standards,” never a pet gate, and only gates that screw to the wall at the top of stairs. For anchors, see furniture tip-overs, which also covers the plastic tip kits recalled in 2024 and 2025.
Back to baby gear recalls, or start with how to check a baby product for a recall.
Frequently asked questions
What childproofing should I do first?
CPSC's childproofing guide starts with a safe sleep product, then lists cordless window coverings, window guards, furniture and TV anchors, cabinet and drawer latches, anti-scald devices, pool barriers, safety gates, door knob covers, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, corner bumpers and outlet covers. Which come first depends on your home; anchors and latches deal with tip-overs and poisonings.
Are plastic outlet plugs safe?
CPSC says to be sure outlet protectors cannot be easily removed by children and are large enough that children cannot choke on them. If you are replacing receptacles, it recommends a tamper-resistant type.
Can I use a pet gate for my baby?
No. CPSC says pet gates should never be used as a child safety gate. Use a safety gate that meets current child safety standards, and at the top of stairs only a gate that screws to the wall.
Have any cabinet latches been recalled?
Yes. In September 2022, North States Industries recalled about 103,000 Toddleroo Rotating Cabinet Latches because the latching button can dislodge and detach, posing a choking hazard to young children. Check any latch's brand and name at cpsc.gov/Recalls.
Sources
- Childproofing Your HomeU.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
- North States Industries Recalls Toddleroo Rotating Cabinet Latches Due to Choking Hazard (September 29, 2022)U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
- Anchor ItU.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
- CPSC Recall API, recalls dated 2016 to 2025, retrieved October 5, 2026U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
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