Inspiring Conversations with Boris Chernin of Play It Safe Baby Proofing

Today we’d like to introduce you to Boris Chernin.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Play It Safe Baby Proofing began as a family business when my brother had children and was looking to babyproof his home. All of the existing options in the area were either going to take way to long to book, or their level of professionalism didn’t feel right. So we thought there would be an opportunity to create a childproofing solution in Los Angeles that was optimized for high craft level and timeliness, but also with a level of professionalism that would deliver the peace of mind that this business is really all about.

Fast forward a decade and Play It Safe Baby Proofing became the market leader for childproofing services in the Los Angeles area, based on our level of craftsmanship and unparalleled customer service.

We like to say we make babies safe and parents happy!

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As with any business there are going to be ups and downs. The COVID era was challenging as our service begins with an in-home consultation where we run through a hazard hunt in our clients’ homes. In-person is much more effective than on Zoom or Facetime, so navigating that landscape was interesting.

But we have a really dedicated and talented team here at Play It Safe, and we made it work and came out of it with a really streamlined process and a deeper understanding of our clients and their needs.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Play It Safe Baby Proofing?
Play It Safe Baby Proofing is one of Los Angeles’ most established professional baby proofing and home safety companies. For more than 15 years, we’ve helped families throughout Los Angeles create safer homes for babies and young children, combining professional hazard assessment with practical, customized safety solutions and expert installation.

What sets us apart is that we don’t approach baby proofing as a checklist of products. Every home is different. Los Angeles in particular has an enormous range of architecture — from apartments and mid-century homes to historic properties, hillside houses and large custom residences — and many of the safety challenges we encounter require solutions that simply aren’t available off the shelf.

Our process begins with a detailed in-home safety walkthrough. We identify potential hazards, discuss how the family actually uses the space, and recommend solutions that make sense for that specific home. Our services include custom baby gates, cabinet and drawer safety, furniture and TV anchoring, electrical safety, custom acrylic and plexiglass barriers for railings and balconies, fireplace protection and other specialized child-safety installations. We also provide earthquake safety and pet-proofing services.

We’re particularly known for solving difficult problems. Unusual staircases, glass railings, wide openings, modern architecture and spaces where a conventional baby gate won’t work are situations we deal with regularly. Our goal is to create a solution that is safe and secure while being as unobtrusive and respectful of the home as possible.

Another thing that separates Play It Safe is our experience with the products themselves. There are hundreds of child-safety products on the market, and many of them don’t work particularly well or aren’t appropriate for every application. After years of installing and working with these products in real homes, we know which ones perform well, where they work and where they don’t. Our clients aren’t simply buying products from us — they’re benefiting from years of experience selecting, adapting and professionally installing the right solution.

What we’re most proud of is the reputation we’ve built with Los Angeles families. Much of our business comes from referrals, repeat clients and families who call us again when they move, have another child or need to make a grandparent’s home safe. We’ve built that reputation by being straightforward about what a family needs — and equally willing to tell them what they don’t need.

At its core, Play It Safe Baby Proofing is a specialized home-safety company. Parents hire us because they want an experienced professional to look at their home through the eyes of a curious child, identify risks they may not have considered and then solve those problems properly. Our job is to give parents a safer home without turning it into a fortress.

So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
Job #1 for Play It Safe Baby Proofing is the safety of the children we’re entrusted with; that has always been the most important thing. But #1A is trying to maintain the aesthetics and livability of the home for the adults as well. Childproofing can really get in the way if overdone or done incorrectly. So we try to balance (as much as we can) safety and lifestyle.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.playitsafebaby.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playitsafebabyproofing/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/play-it-safe-baby-proofing-los-angeles