How do you childproof cabinets and drawers?

Childproofing your home is an important step to ensure your child’s safety as they begin to explore their surroundings. One of the main areas that needs to be addressed is securing cabinets and drawers that contain anything potentially dangerous for your little one.

Why is it important to childproof cabinets and drawers?

As soon as your baby begins crawling and pulling up, they will be eager to open and explore inside cabinets and drawers. This can pose a serious danger, as many contain cleaning supplies, medications, sharp objects, fragile dishes, or other hazardous items.

Children are incredibly curious, quick, and determined. In the blink of an eye, they can pull out chemicals under the sink or knock over a knife block on the counter. Even if you are carefully supervising, accidents can happen in an instant.

Poison Control Centers receive more than one million calls per year related to children younger than 6 being exposed to potentially harmful medications and household chemicals. About every 10 seconds, a poison control center receives a call about a potential medicine poisoning for children under age 6.

Childproofing cabinets and drawers can prevent tragedy and give you peace of mind that your child will stay safe, even when you cannot have eyes on them at all times.

Safety tips for childproofing cabinets and drawers

Here are some important safety guidelines for securing any cabinets and drawers that your child may access:

• Go through every drawer and cabinet in your home to identify potential hazards. Look for cleaning products, alcohol, medications, knives, scissors, batteries, breakables, wires, choking hazards like coins or marbles, flammable items like lighters or matches, plastic bags, sharp tools, and small items that could be swallowed.
• Ideally, install child safety locks on all cabinets and drawers that contain any dangerous items. Choose locks specifically designed for cabinets and drawers that allow adults to open easily but prevent kids from accessing.
• Keep all cleaning supplies, chemicals, medications, vitamins, alcohol, knife blocks, and any breakables up high in cabinets your child cannot reach or is unable to open.
• Consider completely removing items like knives and cleaning products from lower cabinets and only store them up high.
• Never underestimate your child’s ability to get creative and access something you think is out of reach. Children are incredible climbers.
• Take the time to teach older children which cabinets are off-limits and why. Enforce these rules consistently.
• Sweep low cabinets frequently to ensure no small items have fallen into them that could become a choking hazard.
• Be vigilant about keeping cabinet locks secured. Check them regularly to make sure they have not come loose or malfunctioned.
• Ensure all chemicals and medications are properly sealed and stored up high in a locked cabinet.

Types of cabinet and drawer locks

There are various types of cabinet and drawer locks to choose from. Consider the following options:

Pressure mounted locks

These are easy-install locks that attach to the outside of cabinet doors and drawers with adhesive. They stop doors from fully opening with adjustable brackets but don’t require any drilling or hardware. Models like the Safety 1st Latches and Locks are top rated.

Slide locks

Slide locks fit inside cabinets and drawers to prevent them from fully opening. Slide the lock into place when you want to secure it. Easy to install models like the KidCo Slide Locks work on multiple types of cabinets.

Magnetic locks

Magnets on the doors align with magnets installed inside the cabinet to keep them shut. The magnetic resistance makes them tough for little hands to open. Z-Wave cabinet locks are convenient options.

Furniture straps

These sturdy straps wrap around cabinets and drawers to hold them tightly closed. They usually have a buckle release for easy adult access.

Outlet plug cover locks

If you have low cabinets under the kitchen or bathroom sink near an outlet, outlet plug cover locks add an additional barrier. They fit over the electric sockets and plug in, locking that cabinet shut.

Cord wraps

For appliances with cords, like a toaster or mixer, cord wraps secure the cord neatly to minimize tripping risk and make it harder for kids to pull appliances down from countertops.

Tips for choosing the best cabinet locks

With so many products available, keep these tips in mind when selecting locks for your home:

• Look for locks certified by a reputable safety testing institute, like the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association.
• Choose locks designed for the specific type of cabinet doors or drawers you want to secure. Pressure mounted, slide, and magnetic locks install differently.
• For cabinets with knobs or pulls, opt for pressure mounted locks that wrap around the entire door, compared to magnetic locks that just secure the corners.
• Make sure the locks adequately keep cabinets closed firmly and cannot be pried open by little hands. Test the locks thoroughly once installed.
• Select locks that adults can easily disengage or unlock, so they are not inconvenient to use.
• Look for durable materials like steel versus plastic, which may break more easily.
• Invest in a high number of locks. You likely need multiple for every dangerous cabinet and drawer in your kitchen, bathrooms, laundry room, garage, basement, etc.

Installing cabinet and drawer locks

Proper installation is key to make sure your locks work effectively. Follow the manufacturer instructions closely, and consider these tips:

• Pressure mounted locks adhere best to smooth surfaces like wood or metal. Clean the area thoroughly before attaching them.
• For slide locks inside cabinets, carefully measure and test fit them before adhering the sticky backing. You want a snug fit so they cannot slide and become loose.
• When installing magnetic locks, make sure magnets are aligned directly across from each other for optimal strength.
• Apply plenty of pressure when installing adhesive locks and hold for 30-60 seconds to create a strong seal.
• With any locking system, double check that doors and drawers are properly secured after installing. Make sure locks cannot be pried open or detach.
• Consider screwing furniture straps into the cabinets for very secure installation versus just buckling them.
• Adhere cord wraps neatly and tightly with strong adhesive and test any cords to ensure they cannot be pulled out.

Where to use cabinet and drawer locks

Be sure to fully childproof the following high-risk areas of your home:

Kitchen cabinet locks

Use locks on any lower kitchen cabinets and drawers containing:

• Cleaning supplies like detergent, bleach, glass cleaner, all purpose cleaners
• Chemicals like dishwasher pods
• Alcohol
• Medications including vitamins
• Sharp objects including knives, skewers, graters, can openers, scissors
• Plastic bags
• Small appliances with cords like mixers, blenders, toasters
• Trash cans
• Dangerous food items like coffee

Bathroom cabinet locks

Lock bathroom vanity cabinets and drawers containing:

• Cleaning solutions
• Medications and supplements
• Razors, tweezers, nail clippers
• Toiletries like mouthwash, toothpaste, lotions
• Hair tools like curling irons and straighteners
• Under the sink pipes and chemicals

Bedroom and living room locks

Other areas where locks are crucial include:

• Media consoles and entertainment centers
• Dressers
• Nightstands
• Armoires and wardrobes
• TV stands
• Bookcases and shelves
• Side tables and coffee tables
• End tables

Laundry and utility room locks

Secure hazardous items in laundry and utility spaces like:

• Detergent pods
• Cleaning supplies
• Tools like hammers and wrenches
• Batteries
• Paints and chemicals

Garage and basement locks

Prevent access to dangerous items such as:

• Chemicals like gasoline, motor oil, bleach, antifreeze, paint thinner
• Power tools like saws, drills, sanders, grinders
• Yard supplies like fertilizer, pesticide, weed killer
• Batteries
• Propane tanks
• Alcohol

Additional childproofing tips

While cabinet and drawer locks are critical, keep these general guidelines in mind:

• Install safety gates at the tops and bottoms of stairs and around other hazardous areas like the fireplace.
• Secure TVs and furniture to the wall to prevent tip-overs.
• Use outlet covers.
• Pad sharp table and counter corners.
• Keep small objects out of reach.
• Mount flat screen TVs high up on the wall.
• Install window guards and locks on windows above the first floor.
• Keep drapery cords out of reach.
• Place door knob covers over door handles.
• Use corner cushions on sharp edges of furniture.

Frequently asked questions

At what age should you start childproofing cabinets and drawers?

Begin childproofing kitchen, bathroom, and other cabinets and drawers as soon as your baby begins crawling, cruising, and walking while holding onto furniture, typically between 6-12 months.

Are cabinet locks necessary if you plan to supervise your child closely?

Yes, cabinet and drawer locks are strongly recommended even if you intend to keep a close eye on your child. Babies move astonishingly fast, and accidents can occur in an instant while your head is turned. Locks provide an additional layer of protection.

Can magnetic cabinet locks be opened by children?

High quality magnetic locks that are properly aligned and installed are very difficult for kids to pry open. The strength of the magnets combined with the doors being flush when closed make them very resistant to little hands.

Do you need both upper and lower cabinet locks?

Locking lower cabinets that your child can reach is absolutely essential. While you may choose to only install locks on lower cabinets, also consider securing upper cabinets that contain any hazardous or breakable items in case your child finds a way to climb up and access them.

Will locks damage my cabinets?

Most child safety cabinet locks are designed to install securely without damaging surfaces. Models like pressure mounted locks should not mar or scratch cabinets. However, to prevent any risk of damage, look for products specifically made not to harm cabinet finishes.

Conclusion

Installing locks on any cabinet and drawer where your child may access something unsafe is one of the most vital childproofing steps you can take. Be sure to secure all lower cabinets in the kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms, laundry and utility rooms. Also lock any upper cabinets that contain dangerous items in case your little climber figures out how to get up high.

Pick sturdy, tamper-proof locks designed for cabinets and drawers. Pressure mounted, slide, and magnetic locks are all good options. Follow manufacturer instructions closely when installing locks and test them to ensure cabinets and drawers are completely secured. Take the time to properly childproof all hazardous cabinets and drawers and inspect them regularly to give your child a safer home environment.