Childproofing your home can help reduce the chance of injury or death there, especially in cabinets and storage areas that house dangerous goods.
Your youngster might be protected from injuries like smashed or pinched fingers by childproof cabinets. Additionally, it prevents kids from coming into contact with dangerous items and things including electric appliances, open flames, knives and other equipment blades, harmful cleaning agents, and other possibly harmful areas of the home.
Additionally, childproofing your cabinets can spare you from needless cleanups and give you peace of mind knowing that your little crawler is secure.
We’ve provided a selection of childproofing options in this article to keep curious children’s hands out of your cupboards and drawers.
How Do You Childproof Cabinets Without Tools?
Adhesive, cable, sliding, magnetic, and spring-loaded latch cabinet locks are the five no-drill types of cabinet locks. The first three babyproof locks are external or visible, and the latter two are internal or invisible.
The fact that no-drill cabinet locks need at least 24 hours for the adhesive tape to fully cure is a drawback.
Adhesive Cabinet Locks
Adhesvie cabinet locks have two anchor points are connected by a flexible strap in these locks. To secure appliance doors, use these anchor points close to the gaps between two cabinet doors or around corners.
The Good – Adhesive Cabinet Locks:
- Simple to setup. Remove the adhesive tape cover from the rear, clean the area where the anchor points will be installed, and then push firmly on the surface
- A no tool solution. Adhesive locks are a viable substitute for kid safety cabinet locks for renters or people who don’t want to drill holes in their cabinets
- Versatile. The versatile design enables you to attach adhesive locks to any surface, including toilet seats, garbage cans, and oven or refrigerator doors. In essence, an adhesive lock can be mounted on anything that opens
- Easy to remove. When you no longer need sticky cabinet locks, you can remove them without fuss or damage to your cupboards
The Bad – Adhesive Cabinet Locks:
- Visible. If you’re utilizing a lot of sticky kid safety latches, it could be visually obtrusive
- Quality. Certain brands are more durable than others
Cord Cabinet Locks
For knobs, this style of cabinet lock works well. Cord cabinet locks need adjacent cabinet doors, just like the adhesive cabinet lock.
To use, just tie the cord around the cabinet door handles, push the cord stop up (much like the cords on certain hoodies or raincoats), and then click the release button to release the cord.
The Good – Cord Cabinet Locks:
- Simple to install
- Simple, inexpensive, and simple to use
- Reusable. moving from one cabinet to another is possible
- Portable. a portable childproof cabinet lock for use anywhere
- For surfaces that are challenging for adhesive locks to attach to, the ideal cabinet lock
- A no drill fix
- Ideal for renting tenants
The Bad – Cord Cabinet Locks:
- Not applicable to handles.
- Some brands might last longer than others.
- Curious toddlers may be drawn to dangling cords.
- Possibly simple for young toddlers to understand.
- When rushing, the additional procedures required to lock and unlock can raise the likelihood that something won’t be replaced.
- An adjacent knob is necessary to lock two doors together.
- Work poorly on drawers and the majority of appliances.
The child safety system is a straightforward two wire ties connected by a strap with a snap fastener. Press the straps’ top and bottom portions to release. The straps on this babyproof lock keep in place even when your cabinet doors are opened, which is another useful feature.
Even while it can’t be reused or relocated from one cabinet door to another, it nevertheless works well as a childproofing option without the need for drilling or adhesive. To remove the wires, cut them.
Sliding Cabinet Locks
If cord cabinet locks function best on knobs, sliding cabinet locks function best on cabinet door handles placed side by side. Another straightforward, inexpensive, and straightforward childproof cabinet lock option is this one.
Typical sliding locks are plain U-shaped locks made of plastic that are wrapped around cabinet door handles. Some sliding locks come with separate locks that you pinch to attach at the end, while other designs come with “teeth” or jagged sides that lock into a sliding component.
Squeeze the sliding piece to release, then take out the locking strip or piece.
The Good – Sliding Cabinet Locks:
- Works best on handles, but depending on the diameter, it might also work on some knobs
- Can be quickly installed
- Moving from one cabinet to another is possible
- Portable. a transportable child safety lock solution
- Reusable. can be used repeatedly
- For surfaces that are challenging for adhesive locks to attach to, the ideal cabinet lock
- There is no drill fix. ideal for tenants
- No drilling, screws or tools needed
The Bad – Sliding Cabinet Locks:
- Possibly simple for older kids to understand
- Works only with handles or knobs that are 5 inches apart or less. Before placing an order, measure
- Some brands could easily jam or break.
- Certain designs might not go with your cabinet handles.
- Uses the door handle on the door next to it to lock two doors together.
- Work poorly on drawers and the majority of appliances
Knobs or handles that are up to 5 inches apart can be used with these child safety sliding locks.
Parents can install and utilize them with ease, but toddlers have a hard time using them. Your childproof locks will grow with your kid thanks to their sturdy construction.
The multifunctional, reusable babyproof lock is also suitable for double-door refrigerators.
Magnetic Cabinet Locks
There are magnetic locking techniques that use screws or adhesive. The majority of magnetic child drawer locks include a magnetic key and several locks. To use, just fasten these child locks to cabinets and drawers. Then, to unlock the lock, hold the magnetic key in front of the lock.
The magnetic locks latch shut when the cabinets and drawers are closed, and only the magnetic key may open it.
Magnetic locks have the advantage of being hidden from prying eyes and eager hands.
The Good – Magnetic Cabinet Locks:
- Simple to setup. If you’re using the adhesive kind, clean the area where the locks will be installed, take off the backing from the adhesive tape, and then press firmly on the surface
- Completely locks cabinet doors, ensuring that there are no gaps to trap small fingers.
- Invisible. Unless your youngster learns how the magnetic key operates, there is no danger of them unlocking the lock
- Doesn’t change the appearance of your cabinets
- Drawbacks to magnetic cabinet locks
- If your cabinets are composed of particleboard, drilling is necessary
- The potential loss of the magnetic key
- Whenever you need to open your cabinets and drawers, you always require the magnetic key
- Requires exact fitting, which some people may find difficult to install
- The magnet may not work on thicker cabinet doors or drawer walls
Magnetic childproof cabinet locks protect your toddler, provide you with piece of mind, and save needless clean-ups. The magnetic locks are simple to install, operate, and maintain.
Pro Tip: To unlock your cabinet or drawer locks, place stickers on the exterior of the doors where the magnetic key should go.
Spring-Loaded Drawer Locks
Spring-loaded safety drawer locks are available with screws or glue, similar to magnetic locks.
This kind of cabinet lock normally consists of two parts: a drawer that fits inside your cabinet and a hook that fastens to the inside of your cabinet door.
The Good – Spring-Loaded Drawer Locks:
- Alternative cabinet lock for baby proofing that is suitable for infants and young children
- Invisible. doesn’t change the appearance of your cabinets
- does not need a nearby door to lock or anchor upon
- fantastic for drawers
- once installed properly, simple to use
- No need for keys
- Do not fumble with the strap locks
The Bad – Spring-Loaded Drawer Locks:
- More challenging to install.
- Older children can readily remove.
- Enables an opening that might be sufficiently large for curious children’s hands to access the contents of your cupboards or drawers.
- Certain brands are more durable than others.
- Less user-friendly than the alternatives.
- More prone to damage and needing replacement.
How To Install Spring-Loaded Drawer Locks:
- The area where you plan to install the kid safety locks should be cleaned.
- Put the hook and drawer in the cradle.
- Remove the coverings for the sticky tape.
- Press firmly on the cabinet’s interior drawer.
- So that the hook can attach to the interior of your cabinet door, close the cabinet door. This guaranteed accurate alignment.
- Close the cabinet door once more after activating the lock.
- You should no longer be able to fully open the cabinet door because of the hook. You may verify that you installed it correctly by looking at this.
- To release the drawer and open the drawer door, press the button on top of the lock. Some manufacturers supply a stick that you can use to depress the lock release lever.
How Many Baby Proof Safety Locks Do I Need?
- Learn about the various kinds of child safety locks so you can decide which ones are best for your needs
- Consider childproofing options without drilling if you are renting
- Examine each room of the house as you walk through it. Decide which sort of lock is ideal for each of the appliances, cabinets, and drawers that will need to be locked
- To make sure you don’t forget anything, write it down
Pro Tip: Consider putting locks on everything that opens, like toilet seats, trash cans, storage boxes, etc.
- Install locks even in areas without risky goods. If not, you’ll always be discovering items on the floor.
- When away from home, think about babyproofing. For hotel stays or visits to grandparents’ and relatives’ homes, it is advisable to stock up on extra portable cabinet locks, such as cables and sliding locks.
- With your childcare provider, go over babyproofing, and consider extra locks for them.
Baby Proof Cabinets & Drawers FAQs
Are Magnetic Baby Locks Effective?
Yes. If installed and utilized correctly, magnetic locks and any other childproof cabinet locks can be effective. The locks you put in your home to keep hazardous items away from your child are the best baby safety locks.
How Can Open Kitchen Shelves Be Made Baby-Proof?
- Make sure your open kitchen shelves are secure or mounted to the wall so your child won’t be in danger of falling over them.
- Take the hazardous and breakable items off the lower shelf.
- Put risky and breakable items on the upper shelf.
- Place a baby gate at the kitchen door.
- Or create a secure, contained space to keep your infant out of the kitchen.
How Can I Maintain Locking Cabinets?
Use cabinet locks that are child-proof. There are various latch kinds available, including sticky, cable, sliding, magnetic, and spring-loaded.
How Are Cabinets Without Knobs Childproofed?
The finest internal kid locks for cabinets without knobs are magnetic and spring-loaded locks.
What Happens If My Magnetic Key Gets Lost?
To release magnetic kid locks, you can buy a backup magnetic key or use any powerful magnet.
Magnetic Cabinet Locks Vs. Adhesive Cabinet Locks
Both magnetic and adhesive cabinet locks have advantages and disadvantages. It’s a popular option for people who want invisible cabinet locks that don’t change how their cabinets look, even though magnetic cabinet locks are also available with glue.
Adhesive cabinet locks, on the other hand, are more adaptable and may be used in nearly anything that opens. This applies to garbage can lids, toilet seats, and the doors of various equipment, such as refrigerators, stoves, and dishwashers.
How Do You Babyproof Your Home?
Beginning when your infant begins to crawl, which is around six months old, babyproofing is a continuous process.
Having said that, it’s crucial to childproof your house to keep out anything that could hurt your little crawler.
Generally speaking, keep the following items out of your toddler’s reach by locking them away in top shelves or locked cabinets:
- Cleaning supplies
- Items for personal hygiene
- Automobile accessories
- Equipment and chemicals for gardening
- Supplements and medications
- Kitchen supplies
- Hot food, drink, or liquid
- Small objects that pose a choking risk
- Risks of strangulation from cords
- Outlets and cords for electricity
How Do I Toddler Proof My Kitchen?
- A baby gate should be put up at the entrance, or the kitchen door should be shut
- Install child safety locks on all electrical appliances, trash cans, cupboards, drawers, and other items that open
- Hide hazardous and breakable items, such as cleaning supplies
- Knives, blades, and other utensils should be hidden
- Wall-mounted shelves
- Install outlet covers, conceal cords, and unplug any electrical devices
- Put covers on the stove knobs
- Learn how to babyproof your house one room at a time by reading our extensive list
How Do You Child Proof Sharp Edges?
To prevent your child from bumping into them, install soft furniture edge bumpers and corner guards.
How To Stop Toddlers From Opening Doors?
To prevent your kid from opening doors, install doorknob covers. To prevent your child from opening cabinet doors and drawer latches, add cabinet locks.