How To Babyproof Drawers and Cabinets – 15 Genius Hacks to Keep Your Bub Safe
It is never too early to start thinking about how to babyproof drawers and cabinets in your home. As soon as your baby can crawl, they will explore every nook and cranny they can get into! This is why it is so important to have babyproof draws and cabinets before the arrival of your little one, to prevent your pinched fingers, bumps or bruises and trapped toes.
This no-nonsense guide will tell you everything you need to know about how to babyproof drawers and cabinets easily at home. With our genius baby proofing drawer hacks and guide on how to baby proof drawers DIY, your home will be safe for your baby in no time at all.
Why is it important to babyproof drawers & cabinets?
Asking yourself, “how to babyproof drawers and cabinets?” is so important when you are thinking about the arrival of your baby. The natural curiosity of babies and toddlers means that they will try and get into every space they can to discover what is inside. Naturally, your baby will want to mimic your actions and copy everything you do, so when they see you open a cupboard, they will want to try it too. To avoid injuries, bumps and bruises, read our foolproof guide on how to babyproof drawers and cabinets at home.
How to Baby Proof Doors and Cabinets
You may be wondering:
How do you childproof a dresser? How do I make my drawers lockable?
How do you keep drawers closed? How do drawer locks work?
How to babyproof drawers and cabinets?
Below we will tell you everything you need to know about the best ways to babyproof your drawers and cabinets at home.
How to Babyproof Dresser Drawers
All the below locks for drawers can be bought commercially in most hardware stores and baby stores for an affordable price! See below for our top tips on installation and babyproofing drawer hacks and how to babyproof drawers and cabinets at home.
How do drawer locks work? How do you baby proof drawers without screws?
Magnetic Drawer Locks
If you wonder, “how to babyproof drawers without handles?”. Magnetic drawer locks are the answer! Magnetic drawer locks are one of the most common locks used when babyproofing a home. Install the magnetic mechanisms on the inside of the drawer, and then the door will be locked automatically when closed. To open the drawer, all you need is the magnetic key that comes with the lock, which ensures little fingers cannot open the drawer.
https://www.familyhandyman.com/article/how-to-babyproof-drawers-and-cabinets/
Tension rods - How to baby proof dresser drawers
Tension rods are perfect for when you have multiple drawers in one column. To set up a tension rod, all you have to do is slide the rod through the handle of each drawer in the column when all the drawers are closed and expand the rod until it is snugly fitted between the floor and the under-ledge of the chest of drawers. Tension rods are a cheap and reliable way to babyproof drawers. The drawers will then be locked shut until the rod is removed, which is perfect as no baby or toddler will be able to remove the rod.
https://bettergoods.org/how-to-baby-proof-drawers/
Adjustable Safety Locks
Adjustable safety locks are effortless to install due to their simple design and are one of the best ways how to babyproof drawers and cabinets. Adjustable safety locks can be used on drawers by attaching one end to the drawer, and one ends to the drawer unit on both sides of the chest of drawers. Make sure that the lock fits snuggly so that it cannot be opened at all. To open the drawer, all you have to do is unstick one of the pads on both sides, but make sure to stick it back on when you are finished!
https://www.familyhandyman.com/article/how-to-babyproof-drawers-and-cabinets/
Latch Locks- What is a drawer catch?
You may be wondering “how to baby proof drawers without handles?” Latch locks are the simplest locks to install in your home, and provide a perfect solution when babyproofing drawers without handles.
A latch lock consists of two components, the latch, which is stuck to the side of the drawer unit and the hook that is stuck to the front side of the drawer. All you need to do is slip the hook over the latch when the drawer is closed, and it will be closed tight.
https://www.familyhandyman.com/article/how-to-babyproof-drawers-and-cabinets/
Furniture Anchors
Furniture anchors are used not to keep the drawers closed but to ensure that the drawer unit does not wobble and tip, which could cause serious injury to a baby or toddler. Furniture anchors are one of the best ways how to baby proof drawers and cabinets at home.
The furniture anchor is screwed into the wall and then attached to the backside of the drawer unit to ensure that the unit does not move. Furniture anchors are so important when babyproofing a home that it is often overlooked, but it is a straightforward fix.
https://bettergoods.org/how-to-baby-proof-drawers/
How to Babyproof Cabinets
All the below locks for cabinets can be bought commercially in most hardware stores and baby stores for an affordable price! See below for tips and tricks on how to babyproof your cabinets at home.
Magnetic Cabinet Locks
Magnetic locks are not just for drawers; they also work perfectly for babyproofing any cabinet around your house. The process is simple, install the mechanism on the inside of the cabinet door, and it will be locked securely until you open it with the magnetic key.
https://parent.guide/how-to-baby-proof-drawers/
Adhesive Locks
Adhesive locks are the easiest locks to install on your cabinets. Adhesive locks consist of one adjustable strap with two adhesive pads, which can be stuck on closed cabinets to lock them securely. Adhesive locks can be used multiple times and will not lose their stick, so you can be assured your baby will be safe.
https://momlovesbest.com/health/babyproofing/cabinet-locks
Cord Cabinet Locks
Cord cabinet locks are one of the oldest methods of babyproofing still used. Cord locks consist of a looped cord with an adjuster; all you need to do is fit the loop over both cabinet handles or knobs and pull the adjuster tight so that the door cannot be opened.
https://momlovesbest.com/health/babyproofing/cabinet-locks
Sliding Cabinet Locks
Sliding cabinet locks consist of a solid plastic pin that you can easily slide over cabinet doors or knobs and lock in place. Sliding cabinet locks are shaped like a paperclip and provide an accessible and easy to install solution when babyproofing any cabinet in your home.
https://www.familyhandyman.com/article/how-to-babyproof-drawers-and-cabinets/
Spring Latch Locks
Spring latch locks are the strongest lock choice for cabinet installation. The spring inside of the machine ensures the cabinet is locked tightly and can’t be wiggled open at all. To install an aspiring latch, all you need to do is install the spring latch to the inside of a cabinet door and the matching mechanism to the top or bottom of the cabinet so that it locks together when closed.
https://www.babysecurity.co.uk/products/baby-safety/baby-proofing/locks-latches/
How to Babyproof Drawers DIY
We know that it can be expensive to babyproof when you consider all the drawers and cabinets in your home. Not to worry, there are plenty of DIY babyproofing drawer hacks that you can use in every room! We will tell you everything you need to know about the DIY ways how to babyproof drawers and cabinets.
Rubber Bands
Rubber bands can be used to lock drawers and cabinets closed by looping the rubber band through the handles when closed. However, rubber bands can snap, potentially injure your little one and allow them to open the cupboards. When using this method, make sure to use a strong rubber band to avoid this.
https://tinybeans.com/12-genius-diy-babyproofing-tricks/slide/3
Zip Ties
Zip ties are a strong and secure DIY babyproofing hack that can be used on any drawer or cabinet unit. All you need to do is attach a zip tie through drawer handles and tighten or loop them around cabinet handles or knobs. Zip ties are an extremely secure way to babyproof drawers and cabinets, but they are single-use, so that they can be a pain the replace each time.
No external link used here - just my own knowledge and writing
Velcro
One of the easiest babyproofing hacks is learning to babyproof drawers with Velcro. Velcro is a simple babyproofing hack that you can use on the inside of any drawer or cabinet. The plus side of using Velcro is that it will be invisible as installed on the inside. Velcro is strong during the first few uses, but it can lose its stick over time, so it is important to check every so often and replace it when necessary.
https://bettergoods.org/how-to-baby-proof-drawers/
Ribbon or Rope
Ribbon or rope can also be used as a hack for DIY babyproofing. Instead of buying expensive locks and devices, you can use any spare pieces of ribbon or rope you might have around the house! Tie the ribbon through closed drawer handles or tie it around cabinet handles or knobs to secure them tightly closed.
https://momlovesbest.com/health/babyproofing/cabinet-locks
Foam Bumpers
Foam bumpers are a perfect solution to babyproofing at home. The last thing you want is for your little one to knock themselves on hard surfaces or corners, so it is essential to cover up these hard edges. All you need to do is cut one side of the foam bumper and slide it onto the edge or corner of any table, counter, cabinet or drawer unit, and you will be worry-free about bumps and bruises.
https://tinybeans.com/12-genius-diy-babyproofing-tricks/slide/3
FAQs
If you have more questions on how to baby proof drawers and cabinets at home, we have the answers!
How do you babyproof drawers without screws?
They are many ways that you can use babyproof your drawers without screws. DIY methods are perfect for you to avoid installing screws in your drawers. You can use ribbon or rope, Velcro, zip ties, and rubber bands to securely babyproof your drawers without the hassle of installing mechanisms with screws.
How do I make my drawers lockable?
Install magnetic drawer locks or a lock mechanism to make your drawers lockable. Magnetic locks will lock your drawers automatically when closed and can only be opened by a magnetic key. Traditional lock mechanisms can also be installed in your drawer unit, unlocked with a key.
How do I babyproof drawers without handles?
To babyproof your drawers without handles, you can use commercial locks such as magnetic locks, spring latch locks and adhesive locks for a secure and safe lock for your drawers. For affordable DIY babyproofing methods, you can also use Velcro on the inside of your drawer to lock your drawer securely.