babyproofing

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I consider my parenting style as very hands on when it comes to child safety.

However, you won't find me installing safety gates, latches, or toilet locks. In fact, the most I've done was cover unused electrical outlets. But, that didn't last long. I'd find myself plugging something in and not returning the protective cover.

Related: Are You Annoyed When Strangers Shush Your Crying Baby?

You may be reading this and thinking, "This Mom is totally nuts. I wouldn't want her watching my kid." I wouldn't blame you for feeling that way. I just have a different approach to safety.

Before becoming a mom, I was always the designated babysitter to my niece and nephew. My apartment was never childproof. Rather than turn my home into a prison, I'd just keep an eye on them. It was that simple.

I've applied that same belief to my own parenting style. My way of childproofing involved explaining to my daughter early on about the importance of staying away from things like the hot stove and staircase.

I'd also keep sharp objects out of reach. Even though she couldn't speak at the time, I would talk to her about the danger zones around the house. I won't lie; she did fracture her wrist at one point. But, that incident had nothing to do with not childproofing our home. I'm in no way encouraging parents to avoid childproofing. You can decide what's best for your child.

Now that my daughter is 2, she knows where not to go and what not to touch. It's become a routine for her to stay away from the electrical outlets and such. My husband would like to install a gate, which I may consider. I can only speak for myself when I say that childproofing doesn't necessarily mean my child will stay safe.

I think setting boundaries is a much better idea. With another baby on the way, I may give in to putting up a barrier at the staircase. But, I won't be changing my overall stance on the issue.

What are your thoughts on childproofing?

More great reads from BabyCenter:
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12 winning Super Bowl treats
How to raise a polite preschooler
The true value of Grandma: the unpaid babysitter
Is spanking now taboo?

For every new mom who has vowed to maintain her prebaby design aesthetic regardless of the need to keep her home child-friendly, a whole new world of modern design is now available. Bouncy seats and high chairs have gone contemporary, so it is no surprise that baby-proofing has, too.

Rhoost's 100 percent recyclable child-proofing products are made from BPA-, lead-, and phthalate-free materials and actually blend in with current home design. With Edge Om ($15 for four), sharp corners are no longer dangerous objects and furniture isn't ruined by sticky adhesive. Using a soft, flexible clamp, the rubber-like corners attach directly to furniture without ever leaving residue behind. The Sling Hub ($10 for four) keeps cabinets safe from prying hands, blending in with dark wood, making it as inconspicuous as possible.

Stairs are enticing for lil ones who aren't supposed to play on them. Though several LilSugar readers told us they didn't do much in the way of babyproofing their homes, safety gates are a staple for many families with steep staircases. Consumer Reports recommends using the baby gates until a child is two-years-old.

Clunky plastic varieties may dominate the market, but there are also modern gates available for more discerning mothers. The Numi Extending Gate ($98) combines a brushed metal frame with dark wooden slats to make for eye candy rather than an eyesore. Check out our other decorative picks below.

Try as we might, we can't put our children in a bubble. Parents do try their best to protect their tots by babyproofing their homes with products designed to keep them safe. While 95 percent of moms and dads take safety measures after a baby's arrival, a new study reveals that half wait until their kids are mobile to do so. According to the Home Safety Council, a national nonprofit organization that works to prevent injuries in the home, "50 percent [of parents] waited until their children were already crawling and able to get into dangerous situations on their own." The Home Safety Council has teamed up with Toys 'R' Us to create a brochure with tips for creating a safe environment for lil ones from the day they are born. Did you start babyproofing your home before or after your wee one was crawling? Or did you skip the process all together?