Handy Tip for Worn Out Fridge Seal

So in addition to having a worn out seal on my fridge, I also happen to have a toddler...put the two together and I figured out a solution (perhaps a temporary one but saves me from actually figuring out how to order a new "seal").  For about $3, you can buy a "child proof" seal for your fridge.  This helps keep it closed as well!

UPDATE: I had an appliance guy at my house to put in a new dishwasher and he thought that was an even better solution than replacing the seal (which, he couldn't find a problem with so odds are it wouldn't help!)

Childproof your Fireplace

Childproofing can get EXPENSIVE!  Being a hardware store junkie, I often find that many items that are sold under the guise of "child safety" are repackaged basic items you can find in a different aisle at the hardware store.  Repackaged and, of course, repriced.

So...here's just one of my helpful childproofing tips in this arena.  Pipe insulation.  Yes, pipe insulation.  I am a big fan of the plumbing aisle, and I have found that lots of things can be childproofed with pipe insulation.

I first discovered this when I was mounting a swing on my porch...it had seen better days as far as the rope goes, and we all hate prickly rope...I think that was one of my first pet peeves as a child.  I cut some pipe insulation and put it around the rope and voila! 

But I digress...here are the basics...buy pipe insulation.  You can get the basic no-frills kind (around $2) or you can get it with peel and stick edges OR you can get pretty black pipe insulation.  Both are a little pricier but one point to remember is that the basic, no-frills pipe insulation has a split down it as well which can be pulled apart...so it's not that different.  For most of my childproofing, I use the basic, no-frills.  I splurged on the pretty black (for copper pipes) for my fireplace for aesthetic purposes.  Here is the result:

Pretty darn simple, right?  And about 1/3 the price of repackaged stuff!

Childproofing Open Stairways

Supplies needed for open air stairways/open shelves childproofing:

• Plexiglass
• Jigsaw
• Wood Screws
• Drill

When it came time to childproof in my house, I was perplexed when problem-solving my stairway.  I have one of those houses that was built during a time in the 70's that said, "the busier the better".  When it comes to the stairs, not overly functional, not overly pretty, and a major pain!  Prior to having Vivian, I struggled with how to deal with these stairs in general.  The shelves were narrow and things tended to fall off!  Parts of them I blocked with various pieces of furniture...and then it came time to childproof!




As you can see, quite a childproofer's dilemma!


Initially, a very wide gate was purchased...the idea there was to basically block off the entire area.  This solution wasn't going to work because the gates that were wide enough were stabilized by being too tall!  I stared and stared and stared at my stairs...and then it came to me!  Plexiglass!

Plexiglass is a great solution to childproofing open spaces such as this one.  You can keep the "beauty" of the space while making it safe for your little one.

You can purchase plexiglass at any major hardware warehouse store.  Then, cut it to size (you can use a box cutter but it takes forever).  Best bet for cutting it is to use a jigsaw with a blade that is suitable for plexiglass/plastic.  This part was trial and error as I used a rotary tool one time, which only melted the plastic making it even HARDER to cut through!

After cutting it to size, make sure to PRE-DRILL holes in it...don't get all crazy and try to put screws directly into it.  Works best if you drill the holes while bracing it against the wood.  Plexiglass can be unforgiving, so measure, cut and drill carefully!  One mis-sized screw or incomplete cut and you can break it off at the wrong spot!

You can line up plexiglass very easily and even line it up against carpet.  It's virtually invisible to the casual onlooker!

Backside view of plexiglass with screws.  Virtually invisible from the front.

bottom showing lineup with carpet and with other plexiglass.  Considering adding something in the groove, but that would make it visible on other side.

you can use larger pieces for larger spaces

Aside from the line between pieces, the plexiglass, if kept clean, keeps your shelves looking good and keeps baby from crawling under open spaces!