How to BABY PROOF electrical cords

Question

I live in an old house with very few electrical outlets. My computer desk is in the living room, and I have a surge protector with multiple outlets and cords going every direction.

My 8-month-old has learned the "army crawl", and he is obsessed with the cords. He is so fast that I can't even go to the bathroom without finding him playing in the cords!

It's very scary, and I need help to make this area more safe. please help me!

P.S. Baby gates won't do any good. When you think of my house, think of a studio-style apartment.

Answer 1

as for the cords themselves...get some zip ties or twist ties and band them together (not too tight) so that they arent all over the place...as for the surge protector, there is a cover that you can get for them that covers al the plugs and outlets.

http://www.mypreciouskid.com/surge-prote...

OOOH! i just thought of something...if its just your computer desk that he's getting into. go to your local hardware store, get a peice of plumbing pipe that is big enough around so all the wires can go through them. that way he cant get to them at all. you may have to get some elbows an stuff so you can make turns if you need to.

Answer 2

we've got issues with the cords under our computer desks...I went out and bought two small pet gates(cheap ones) and propped one up under each desk so that the cords aren't reachable. Our issues now is my son who is trying to walk is obsessed with standing up by my desk and yanking down my mouse....I still haven't found a cure for that yet ;)

Answer 3

have you tried putting the cords up on the back of the computer desk? i would try this first. it can be frustrating living in an old house with very few outlets.  

Answer 4

Try to hide all the cords inside plastic protectors (they are usually sold in office depot and home depot) they look like plastic tubes where you can hide the cords from an easy pull, put this plastic protector behind the furniture or in the back of the furniture you have for example your computer desk.

in some cases where is an extension you can put it behind the carpet, taking care the ends with masking tape or other type than can make flat the area where you are placing cords.

Answer 5

you should try pushing all the cords to the back of the desk where he can't reach.

Answer 6

As your baby is becoming mobile "baby proofing" your home is important.  While you are tackling the issue of electrical outlets, its best to start by getting down on his level and seeing the environment from his level.  You would be surprised at the what you can find.

What is key is to prevent him from "finding" the cords.  Ideally if you can keep all electrical outlets covered and all the cords out of his eye sight, chances are he will forget about them.  Using things like cord spools which shorten cords can be helpful as well.  

Divert his attention away from that area...if you have to re-arrange some of the furnishings or set up some barriers to block access to electrical outlets and cords.  Even try things such as "wrapping some card board box around the lower part of the desk so he cant "see the cords" it may be worth a try as well.  

As with many things you may have to try a variety of things before you find out just what works