Honestly, you’re not alone—kids have a sixth sense for finding the one spot you missed. I’ve blocked off entire rooms with plywood and still found footprints in the dust. At some point, you just focus on keeping the real hazards out of reach and hope for the best.
I get what you mean about blocking off rooms—no matter how thorough you think you are, kids seem to find a way in. I’ve tried everything from temporary doors to zippered plastic barriers, but unless you’re sealing it up like a clean room, there’s always a risk. Have you ever looked into those magnetic safety locks or motion sensors? I’m curious if anyone’s had luck with more tech-based solutions, or if it’s just overkill for a home reno.
Magnetic locks can help, but in my experience, they're only as good as your consistency—if you forget to re-engage them after moving tools or supplies, kids can still sneak in. I've had a client try a cheap motion sensor alarm (like the ones for windows), and it worked as a noisy deterrent, but their toddler just thought it was fun. Sometimes good old-fashioned vigilance is the only thing that works. Has anyone tried those retractable gates with alarms built in? Wondering if that's any more effective or just another thing to trip over...
Tried one of those retractable gates with the alarm at my last place—honestly, it was more hassle than help. The alarm went off every time the dog brushed against it, and I tripped over the base more than once. Ended up just blocking the kitchen with a couple of heavy boxes when I was working. Not fancy, but at least I didn’t have to worry about batteries dying or forgetting to reset anything. Sometimes low-tech wins out, even if it’s not pretty.
I hear you on the low-tech fixes. I tried one of those fancy gates too—total waste of money for me. Ended up just wedging a chair and a laundry basket across the doorway. Not pretty, but it worked and cost nothing. Sometimes simple is just better.