How to Childproof Your Home with a Handyman (Start to Finish)

1. 01

   Step 1: Walk through your home and list every hazard

   

   Get down on your hands and knees in every room and see your home from a child's perspective. Look for uncovered outlets, unstable furniture that could tip, cabinets with cleaning supplies or medicines, sharp corners on coffee tables, accessible cords and blinds, and stairs without gates. Write everything down room by room.

   Prioritize the most dangerous risks first: furniture anchors for dressers and bookshelves, stair gates, cabinet locks for chemicals and medications, and outlet covers. Secondary tasks include toilet locks, door knob covers, and corner guards. A typical childproofing job includes 15 to 30 individual installations depending on your home's size.

2. 02

   Step 2: Decide what to buy yourself versus what the handyman should bring

   

   Most handymen can supply basic childproofing items, but you'll usually save money buying the specific products you want. Purchase furniture anchors (the heavy-duty straps or L-brackets, not adhesive ones), cabinet locks (magnetic locks are popular because they're invisible), stair gates (measure your openings first; pressure-mounted for hallways, hardware-mounted for stairs), outlet covers, and any specialty items like appliance locks or door pinch guards.

   Buy everything a few days before the appointment so you can return anything that doesn't fit. Keep all receipts and packaging. If you're unsure about a product, ask the handyman during booking; most are happy to advise or bring options. Expect to spend $150 to $400 on supplies for a typical three-bedroom home.

3. 03

   Step 3: Find and book a handyman who has childproofing experience

   

   Look for a handyman with specific childproofing experience and good reviews mentioning safety installations. On platforms like Lumo, you can describe your job (for example, 'Need furniture anchored, cabinet locks installed, and three stair gates mounted'), see pros who specialize in handyman work, read their ratings, and message them directly to confirm they've done this type of work before.

   Typical handyman rates for childproofing run $75 to $150 per hour in most cities, and a full-home childproofing usually takes two to four hours. Get a time estimate upfront. Many handymen charge a service-call minimum (often one to two hours), so bundle all your tasks into one visit. Book at least three to five days ahead if possible, or look for pros offering same-day availability if it's urgent.

4. 04

   Step 4: Prepare your home before the handyman arrives

   

   Clear the areas where work will happen. Move toys, laundry and clutter away from furniture that needs anchoring. Pull furniture a few inches from walls so the handyman can access the back. Unpack all your childproofing supplies and organize them by room. If you have specific preferences (which cabinets to lock, where to place gates), write them down or mark them with sticky notes.

   Make sure pets are secured in another room and plan to keep your child entertained elsewhere during the work; power tools are loud and the handyman needs to focus. Have a step stool available and clear a spot for the handyman to set down tools. If any furniture needs to be emptied before anchoring (like a top-heavy dresser), do that ahead of time.

5. 05

   Step 5: Walk through the job together and confirm the plan

   

   When the handyman arrives, spend ten minutes walking through your list together. Point out every piece of furniture to anchor, every cabinet to lock, and where each gate should go. Mention any concerns: walls that might be tricky, rental restrictions if you're leasing, or specific products you're unsure about.

   A good handyman will offer suggestions you might have missed, like anchoring a TV or securing a fireplace screen. They should also locate studs before drilling (furniture anchors must go into studs, not just drywall) and test gates for proper tension. Confirm the estimated time and cost before work begins. This is also the moment to ask questions about maintenance or adjustments as your child grows.

6. 06

   Step 6: Inspect every installation and test everything thoroughly

   

   Once the work is finished, test each installation yourself. Pull hard on furniture anchors (they should be rock-solid even if you use your full weight). Open and close every cabinet to make sure locks engage properly. Shake stair gates with real force; they shouldn't budge or have any gaps a child could slip through. Check that outlet covers fit snugly and corner guards are firmly attached.

   Ask the handyman to show you how to operate any locks or gates that have special mechanisms, especially magnetic cabinet locks. Take photos of anchor locations behind furniture so you know where they are if you move. If anything feels loose or doesn't work smoothly, ask for an adjustment right away. Once you're satisfied, you can complete payment and leave a review through the app.

7. 07

   Step 7: Keep up with adjustments as your child grows

   

   Childproofing isn't a one-time job. As your child gets taller, stronger and more clever, you'll need to adjust gates, add locks to new areas, and secure items that weren't risks before. Check furniture anchors every few months by giving them a firm tug, and re-tighten any that feel loose.

   Many handymen are happy to return for quick adjustments (raising a gate, adding a lock, anchoring a new bookshelf) for a minimal service call. Save the contact information of a handyman who did good work the first time. Plan to remove most childproofing between ages four and six, but keep furniture anchors in place as long as you have the furniture, since tip-overs can injure older kids too.

Photos are illustrative. Service prices are typical ranges and vary by city. How we write our guides.