Best Cabinet Locks for Babyproofing
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Walmart We all want our babies and toddlers to be curious and excited to explore new things. Except when it comes to all that dangerous stuff tucked behind your cabinets. Those items need to stay off limits.
Yup, as soon as your little one starts getting around on her own, it’s time to babyproof. That includes locking up any cabinets housing items that could harm your child — like cleaning products, personal care products, garage items (like insecticide or antifreeze), medicines or supplements, small or sharp objects (like buttons or scissors), alcohol or trash, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends.
But with so many babyproofing cabinet locks out there, which one should you choose? Magnetic, adhesive, spring action and slide locks can all be effective, so it’s really about considering what’ll work best for your family. “The best lock for your cabinets is whichever one you’ll use properly,” says David Drutz, owner of the Toronto-based childproofing company Kiddie Proofers.
The truth is, most locks will work for most babies and toddlers, so picking a good one is really about finding an option that you’ll lock — and keep locked. “If parents find the unlocking too burdensome then they may not use them,” says Judy Schaechter, M.D., a member of the Executive Committee of the AAP’s Council on Injury, Violence, and Poisoning Prevention. (Of course, your child might figure out to open a particular lock as she grows. If that happens, it’s time to get a different one.)
Looking for some babyproofing products to consider? Here are highly rated picks that parents love for being easy to install, easy to use and difficult-to-impossible for little ones to open.
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Best Easy-to-Use Babyproofing Set
Safety 1st Adhesive Magnetic Child Safety Lock System
Install the peel-and-stick locks on the inside of cabinet doors, and use the included magnetic key to unlock the doors when you need to open them. (Just be sure to stash the key out of your child’s reach.) Need fast, frequent access to a cabinet when your little one isn’t around? You can disengage (and re-engage) the safety lock feature with the touch of a button.
Size: 8 locks and 2 keys
Best Babyproofing System With Key Holder
Eco-Baby Child Safety Magnetic Cabinet and Drawer Locks
These sturdy adhesive locks are installed by simply peeling and sticking the lock on the inside of your cabinet door or drawer. Another pro? These come with a magnetic key holder that you can install somewhere high up where your child can’t reach. So you’ll always know where the key is — and she’ll never be able to grab it.
Size: 12 latches and 2 keys
Best Spring-Action Babyproofing Cabinet Locks
Daily Best Child Safety Cabinet/Drawer Locks
Like their magnetic cousins, these spring-action locks are placed on the inside of cabinets. The difference? You release the lock by slightly opening the cabinet and pressing down on the lock, so there’s no key to use (or lose). Just as good, the peel-and-stick backs mean you don’t have to bust out the screwdriver for installation.
Size: 10 locks
Most Versatile Babyproofing Locks
Munchkin Xtraguard Dual Action Multi Use Latches
Thanks to a flexible strap that can be placed around corners, Munchkin’s adhesive latches can be used on cabinets, drawers, appliances (like microwaves, refrigerators, or ovens), and even toilet sets. Unlocking them requires users to press both of the latch buttons — something even most wily toddlers won’t be able to figure out.
Size: 2 latches
Best Reusable Babyproofing Locks
BabyKeeps Child Safety Locks
These multi-purpose peel-and-stick latches, which are made with industrial-strength adhesive, can be used on anything from cabinets (including ones without handles), to refrigerators, to toilets. A nice extra? The latches come with extra adhesives, so you can take them off and reuse them in another spot (or reuse them in the same spot later, if you need to babyproof a second or third time around!).
Size: 6 latches
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