When you are expecting a baby, baby-proofing may be entirely on your radar, or it may seem.
like the need to do so is lightyears away. Whichever the case, baby proofing must be done, so why not sooner rather than later!
This article outlines the top methods and products to baby-proof your home’s cabinets and drawers.
Why We Need Baby Proofing Cabinet and Drawer
Cabinets and drawers possess many hidden dangers for babies and small children. Not only do cabinets and drawers themselves present the risk of pinches and slammed fingers, but the items within the cabinets could also be potentially dangerous.
No matter how diligent the parent, no one is perfect, and children move quickly. They can get into the contents of a cabinet before you even know they’ve crawled out of the room!
By baby proofing your cabinets and drawers, you also provide a backup system to any baby gates and supervision you are also using to protect your child.
When Should You Start Baby Proofing Cabinet and Drawers?
Ideally you should baby proof your cabinets and drawers long before your child is ready to move about on their own. Children grow and develop quickly and before you know it that adorable baby of yours will be moving about and getting into all sorts of things!
Your cabinets may contain cleaners, beauty products, cooking utensils, and appliances, or a myriad of other things you want to keep your baby out of. The majority of poisoning reports that involve young children have to do with cleaning supplies, medicines, and beauty products.
With a bit of forward planning, you can, however, prevent many accidents from happening!
How To Baby Proofing Cabinet
There are many different ways to baby proof cabinets, but the most common and straightforward way is to lock them. That being said, there are many different types of locks. Some locks require drilling, some adhesive, and others use a sliding clasp.
You may also want to cover sharp edges and ensure that knobs, which present choking hazards, are securely fastened and cannot become easily undone.
#1: The Best Way is “Lock It”
Locking cabinets is the most surefire way to ensure your child won’t get into mischief. However, nothing is full-proof, so even if you lock them, you need to check them from time to time to make sure they are not broken and still function properly.
Type Of Cabinet Lock:
Sliding Lock
Sliding locks are perhaps the most uncomplicated and most hassle-free type of cabinet lock. This lock style works great if you have open handfuls or thick knobs that the lock cannot slide over.
QT Baby Proofing Cabinet Locks are an excellent choice. Their snug fit makes them secure, and as a bonus, they do not require any drilling or adhesives that can ruin your cabinets.
These locks have a double lock feature which makes it near impossible for your baby to figure out!
Strap Lock
Strap locks are a great option if you do not wish to drill holes in your cabinets or rent a property. Some strap locks use sticky adhesives that can be difficult to remove. Still, you can usually accomplish this by using products like Goo Gone or rubbing alcohol.
Strap locks are also highly versatile. You can use them on fridges, toilets, freezers, cabinets, and drawers.
Jool Baby strap locks use 3M adhesive and have a ten-year manufacturer's warranty.
Magnetic Cabinet Lock
Magnetic cabinet locks are one of the most secure cabinet lock options, but they also involve a bit more work than some other styles.
Magnetic cabinet locks must have the lock and the latch installed on the inside of the cabinet. Magnetic locks work well for people who do not want visible locks on their cabinets.
The key to the lock should be stored up high and out of reach from your children. Be sure not to lose the keys because they are the only way to open your cabinets.
Vmaisi Adhesive Magnetic Cabinet Locks provide the option to either screw into place or use adhesive, making this version extremely versatile.
Swivel Locks
Swivel locks are another great option for people who do not want visible locks on their drawers or cabinets. This style can work on both drawers and cabinets, so this style is for you if you are looking for a one-and-done method!
KidCo Swivel Cabinet and Drawer Locks use a spring-action design and can be temporarily disabled to make moving about your kitchen while cooking or cleaning.
#2: Cover The Edge
Cabinet edges are typically sharp and can poke and pinch little hands. Covering the edge can help prevent injury.
SOSPIRO Transparent corner guards adhere to prevent injury from cabinet, table, and counter corners. It is simple to cut to the length desired and comes with its own easy-to-use adhesive tape.
#3: Cover Door Knobs
If you have a pantry or a basement door in your kitchen, you will need to childproof those doors as well. The most effective way to childproof a doorknob is by using a cover.
Jool Baby, Child Safety Covers, make it near impossible for your child to open the door because of the amount of dexterity it involves to open the door with one of these on.
They come with a lifetime manufacturer’s warranty and fit overall standard door knobs.
#4: Use Furniture Anchor
If your cabinets are free-standing as part of a movable island or a buffet, you must use a furniture anchor to secure them to the wall.
SYOSIN Furniture Straps mount to the wall and can withhold up to 400 lbs of pressure. Depending on the size of the furniture, can either single or double mount the piece.
How To Baby Proof Drawer
Baby proofing a drawer is much like baby proofing a cabinet. You can also use many of the same devices used on cabinets on drawers. This makes your job much easier since you likely won’t have to purchase multiple styles of locks.
#1: The Best Way is “Lock it”
Much like cabinets, locking your drawers is the number one way to keep your children safe. You can use magnetic locks, adhesive locks, and swivel locks to secure both cabinets and drawers.
Type Of Drawer Lock:
Magnetic Lock
Magnetic locks allow your cabinets and your kitchen to keep their “pre-baby” look, meaning you visibly see any of the locks you have in place.
Eco Baby Magnetic Locks are a great and hassle-free way to add magnetic locks to your kitchen drawers. They use adhesive, so there is no drilling involved, and they come with everything you need to measure and place your locks correctly.
Adhesive Lock
There are several styles of adhesive locks you can use on your drawers. Perhaps the most versatile are the Vmaisi Multi-use Adhesive Straps. These straps can not only be used on drawers but other household locales as well such as the dishwashers, trashcan, or fridge.
Adhesive straps can be arranged in a multitude of directions making them an extremely useful tool to have in your home.
Spring Drawer Lock
Spring drawer locks make opening your drawers easy for you while still keeping them secure from your little one.
Suniry Cabinet Locks are easy to apply and allow you to drill them into place or use the 3M adhesive strips included. There is no key like magnetic locks, so you don't have to worry about misplacing it or losing it!
Latch Locks
Latch locks are another invisible way to keep your drawers child proofed. Much like the spring drawer lock, these locks work by hooking into place. By applying pressure, the latch comes undone, and parents can easily access whatever it is they need in the drawer.
CalMyotis Child Proof Locks are strong, require no drilling, and no key.
#2: Cover Drawer Knob
Door knob covers will not stop your child from opening the drawer but soft covers can prevent little heads from being bumped. Soft knob covers can be custom made or purchased from sites like Etsy.
Traditional door knob covers are likely too large to use on cabinet doors.
#3: Use Furniture Anchor
Furniture anchors are needed on drawers attached to free-standing furniture such as bureaus, chests, and buffets.
4Our Kiddies makes durable and easy-to-use furniture straps. They are flexible, and detachable making it easy to move furniture if needed.
#4: Installing Foam Bumper
You can use foam bumpers on counters and pieces of furniture that have drawers to prevent your child from bumping their heads or eyes.
KidKusion Jumbo Edge Cushion is BPA, non-toxic, and flame resistant.
FAQ
How To Baby Proof Drawer or Cabinet Without Screws?
Many drawers and cabinet locks use adhesive so that there is no need to screw or make holes into your cabinetry.
How do you baby proof a stove drawer?
Using a strap lock is the best way to secure a stove drawer. They are easily applied with adhesive and prevent little hands from getting inside the stove and the stove drawer.
How do I remove a drawer lock?
If you screwed the lock into place, you simply need to unscrew it. If you applied it with adhesive, you might need to use an Exacto knife to peel the adhesive pad off and then use a Goo Gone solution or rubbing alcohol to remove any sticky residue.
How do you baby proof a dresser?
Your baby’s dresser should be attached to the wall with a furniture anchor. If you are worried about your baby pinching their fingers in drawers or pulling out the drawers to climb up top you can use strap locks or lact locks to keep the drawers closed.
Some Do’s and Don’t
Do
Don't
Final Words
Baby proofing your cabinets and drawers does not need to be a long or drawn-out process, nor does it need to cost a lot of money. With the proper planning, you can even have all of your cabinet locks and latches in place before your baby even arrives.
Use the tips and products presented in this article to decide which method and style of lock are best for you, add up your total locks, order, and install!