Baby Proofing Open Entertainment Center: A Step-by-Step Guide for Toddler Homes

By Graham Fisher

Updated November 2026

Baby proofing an open entertainment center means anchoring the unit to the wall, managing the cords and electronics behind it, and removing or guarding the hazards that open shelving creates for a climbing toddler. Done in the right order, the whole job can usually be finished in an afternoon. This guide walks through each step, gives you a checklist to work from, and points out the mistakes parents make most often.

Why Open Entertainment Centers Are a Tip-Over and Climbing Risk

Open entertainment centers combine three things toddlers find irresistible: exposed shelves to climb, heavy electronics on top, and cords hanging down the back. Many of these units are built from lightweight particleboard or MDF, and their open cubbies create footholds that let a 2- or 3-year-old pull themselves up. Televisions, game consoles and speakers can topple with the unit if it isn’t secured. Cords present a strangulation and pull-down hazard, and remote controls, batteries and small media accessories are choking risks.

Shopping for one? See our guide: 8 Best Baby Proofing Open Concept Gates and Barriers for Wide Living Spaces.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has repeatedly warned that unanchored furniture and televisions can tip over onto children, so anchoring is the first priority, not an afterthought. Treat the unit as a piece of furniture that needs to be stable under load and under a child’s weight.

Step 1: Anchor the Entertainment Center to the Wall

Anchoring is the single most important step. Even a sturdy-looking unit can tip if a toddler pulls on the top shelf or a lower drawer. Most manufacturers specify anchoring in their instructions, and many include the hardware. Use it.

Choose the right anchor hardware

• Wall straps or flexible anchor straps run from the back top of the unit to a wall stud or wall anchor. They are often the easiest option for open units with no solid back.
• L-brackets or angle brackets screw into the top of the unit and into a stud. These offer strong resistance to forward tipping.
• Toggle or heavy-duty wall anchors are needed only if the unit cannot reach a stud. Drywall anchors alone are not reliable for furniture that will bear a child’s weight.

How to locate studs and install

1. Find studs with an electronic stud finder. Studs are usually 16 inches apart on center, but confirm each position rather than assuming.
2. Mark the stud centers with painter’s tape so the marks are visible and removable.
3. Position the unit so the anchor point lines up with a stud. If it doesn’t, move the unit or use a different anchor point.
4. Pre-drill pilot holes, slightly smaller than the screw diameter, to prevent splitting.
5. Attach the bracket or strap to the unit first, then to the wall. Tighten until snug, without stripping the screw.
6. Push and pull the top corners firmly to confirm there is no movement.

If your unit is on a floor with a baseboard or a non-standard wall, a licensed contractor can help confirm the anchor points. This is a case where a professional check is worth the time.

Step 2: Manage Cords, Power Strips and Outlets

Once the unit is secure, deal with everything plugged into it. Open backs make cords easy to reach and easy to pull.

Clear and secure the cords

• Use cord ties or cord channels to bundle cables and run them along the back panel, away from the front edge.
• Keep cords short enough that they cannot dangle below the lowest shelf, but long enough that nothing is under tension.
• Route cords so they do not run along the floor where a toddler could trip or chew them.

Handle the power strip and outlets

• Plug a surge protector into the wall outlet, not into an extension cord, and keep it off the floor.
• Use outlet covers or tamper-resistant outlets in any outlet the unit blocks or sits near.
• If an outlet is behind the unit and cannot be reached safely for covers, consider having an electrician relocate it.

Step 3: Guard Shelves, Edges and Corners

Open shelves have square front edges and corners that can cause bumps, cuts or head injuries when a child falls against them. Soften them.

• Apply corner and edge guards to exposed front corners of the top and sides.
• Use adhesive foam edge strips on lower shelf edges where a child is most likely to bump their head.
• Check that guards adhere over clean, dry surfaces and replace any that peel.

For more on softening sharp furniture edges, see Foam for Baby Proofing: A Step-by-Step Guide to Safer Corners and Edges and Baby Proofing Table Corners: A Step-by-Step Guide for Toddler Homes.

Step 4: Remove Climbing Footholds and Hazardous Items

Look at the unit the way a toddler would. Any shelf that can be reached by stepping on a drawer front is a climbing route.

• Remove or relocate any items a child could pull down: remotes, game controllers, small plastic cases, and coin-sized accessories.
• Store small items in closed bins on higher shelves, or in a lidded cabinet.
• Avoid placing heavy objects on the top shelf. Keep weight low and centered.
• Do not use the unit as a climbing support for a crib, bed or stair gate.

If the entertainment center sits near a fireplace or a heat source, review your surroundings too. Our guide on Floor Furnace Baby Proofing: A Step-by-Step Guide for Safer Toddler Rooms covers nearby hazards that often get overlooked.

Step 5: Protect Doors, Drawers and Hinges

Doors and drawers create finger-pinch injuries and can slam or pull out unexpectedly.

• Install cabinet or drawer locks on any storage section where a child could open a door and remove items or climb inside.
• Add finger guards or soft-close hinge covers to reduce pinch hazards.
• Use a stopper or catch to keep doors from swinging fully open.

Room-by-Room Checklist for an Open Entertainment Center

Work through this list once the unit is in place and again after any move or major rearrangement.

1. Confirm the unit is anchored to a stud with rated hardware.
2. Push the top corners to check for movement.
3. Bundle and route all cords out of reach.
4. Cover or tamper-proof every nearby outlet.
5. Apply corner and edge guards to exposed shelf edges.
6. Remove climbing aids and small or loose items from reach.
7. Lock or latch any cabinet doors and drawers.
8. Check the floor for small items that could fall off the shelves.

Tools and Materials You Will Need

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Relying on the unit’s weight alone. A heavy-looking unit can still tip. Always anchor.
• Using drywall anchors without checking the load rating. Use stud-mounted or heavy-duty anchors.
• Leaving the top of the unit bare. Items left on top invite climbing and can fall.
• Forgetting the back. Cords and power strips behind the unit are the most common overlooked hazard.
• Assuming a wall mount is enough. Mounted TVs still need the entertainment center anchored separately.
• Skipping rechecks. Anchors loosen over time, and children test them constantly.

Tips for Keeping the Setup Safe Long Term

• Recheck anchors and cord ties every few months, and after any move or new piece of equipment.
• Keep a small bin of loose cords, remotes and batteries out of reach.
• Pair the entertainment center with other room-wide safety steps, such as checking nearby furniture and outlets. Our overview of Safety Proofing Home for Baby Checklist: 12 Room-by-Room Steps is a good companion.
• Re-evaluate the setup as your child grows. A child who is climbing well at 2 may test the unit very differently at 3.

Related Reading for Your Living Room

If you are still deciding on the rest of the room, 7 Best Baby Proofing Open Entertainment Center Options for Toddlers (2026) compares unit styles with safety in mind. For the TV specifically, Baby Proofing TV Stand: Step-by-Step Guide to Anchoring and Safer Setup goes deeper on mounting and stabilizing screens. Furniture anchoring beyond the entertainment center is covered in Baby Proofing Securing Furniture: A Room-by-Room Step-by-Step Guide, and if you have a full home to cover, Full House Baby Proofing: A Room-by-Room Step-by-Step Guide (2026) lays out the broader plan.

Recommended gear

These items help with the core steps above. Choose the version that fits your unit and wall type.

• Furniture anchor kits provide straps or brackets designed to secure furniture to walls, and they are a practical starting point for anchoring an open unit. View on Amazon
• Cord organizers keep cables bundled and off the floor, reducing both tangles and pull hazards behind the unit. View on Amazon
• Corner and edge guards soften exposed shelf corners and front edges where head bumps are most likely. View on Amazon
• Adhesive cabinet and drawer locks keep storage sections closed and out of a toddler’s reach. View on Amazon

FAQ

Do I really need to anchor an entertainment center that looks heavy?

Yes. Weight doesn’t prevent tipping when a child pulls on a shelf or climbs a lower opening. Manufacturers commonly specify anchoring, and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends securing furniture and televisions to walls.

What is the best way to anchor an open entertainment center?

Anchor into wall studs using straps or L-brackets rated for the unit. Drywall anchors alone are generally not sufficient for furniture that a child can climb.

Can I anchor into drywall if I can’t find a stud?

Use heavy-duty or toggle-style anchors rated for the load, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. If you cannot find a stud at a suitable location, a contractor can advise on alternatives.

How do I keep TV cords safe behind an open unit?

Bundle cords with ties or channels, route them along the back panel, and keep them short enough that nothing dangles. Cover or relocate nearby outlets as needed.

Should I put a gate in front of the entertainment center?

A gate is useful when the unit is in a room a child can enter unsupervised, but it doesn’t replace anchoring. Secure the unit regardless of other barriers.

When should I recheck the anchors?

Check every few months, after moving the unit, and after any change such as a new TV or console. Loose hardware is a common reason anchoring fails over time.

Do I need a professional to baby proof this?

Most parents can complete anchoring, cord management and guarding themselves. If you are unsure about stud locations, wiring behind the unit, or relocating an outlet, consult a licensed contractor or electrician.

Conclusion

A baby proofed open entertainment center comes down to four steps: anchor it to a stud, manage the cords and outlets behind it, guard the sharp edges, and clear climbing aids and small items. Work through the checklist once, then recheck the anchors and cords regularly. As your toddler grows, revisit the setup to keep pace with new climbing skills.

About Graham Fisher

Graham Fisher is part of our editorial team and reviews and edits our childproofing guides, checking product details against manufacturer specifications and owner feedback.