noun-modifying (irregular)
foolproof; idiot-proof
Describes a design, system, or measure that prevents mistakes even by careless or uninformed users. Often used attributively before nouns like 設計 (design) or 仕組み (mechanism).
この機械は馬鹿よけの設計になっている。
This machine has a foolproof design.
バカよけの手順をマニュアルに追加した。
We added idiot-proof steps to the manual.
安全 means 'safe' in a general sense, while 馬鹿よけ specifically implies protection against human error or misuse.
防止 means 'prevention', often used in compounds like 誤操作防止 (prevention of misoperation). 馬鹿よけ is more colloquial and emphasizes simplicity for any user.
Compound of 馬鹿 (fool, idiot) and よけ (avoiding, keeping off), the nominalized stem of よける (to avoid). Literally 'fool-avoiding'.