IMO nope, not necessary. We didn't "baby proof" the house at all aside from having locks on the cupboards under the sink (for the bin & chemicals). From the minute Alexzander started crawling, he was told no & he absolutely understood. Of course it took him a while to remember what he wasn't able to touch, but now he can roam the entire house without me being concerned that he'll get into something he's not allowed to.

For us it was a matter of why should things be moved when we'll just want to move them again a few months down the track? And then once they are all moved back he'd have to be taught not to touch, seemed like more work to us!! As well as that, none of our friends have children so we thought that when we went visiting it would be much easier on Zander (and us) if he knew the sorts of things he's not allowed to touch. So much so that when we visit a particular friend that has candles on her coffee table I'm not worried about him getting burnt. Of course I still watch him like a hawk, but all he does is walk up to them & blow them out LOL!