Just as your baby is beginning to get more mobile and curious, it is time to take childproofing to the next level. Making the kitchen and other rooms safe for an exploring child should include cabinet locks or child safety locks. Children are naturally curious and will try to explore areas that may not be safe for them. Having childproof cabinet locks in place can prevent tragic accidents. Interestingly enough, some caregivers for patients with Alzheimer's or other dementia may also benefit from using child safety locks. The person with Alzheimer's, for example, may not remember that they have taken their medication for the day. Storing medications in cabinets with a safety lock could prevent an accidental overdose.
What to Look for
There are many types of cabinet locks on the market today. These range from magnetic locks to some that require keys. Others may require that a parent depress a lever on the inside of the cabinet for it to swing freely. There are even new ones available that are controlled via remote control. Parents ideally should install cabinet locks either prior to their infant's homecoming or shortly afterwards. For simple latch cabinet locks, these can be installed with a few simple tools such as a screwdriver. All cabinets at the infant's level should be included in the childproofing. Other more complex cabinet locks, such as those controlled via remote control, may need to be installed by a professional familiar with them.
Some cabinet locks attach to the front of the cabinet around knobs and latches while others are installed on the inside of the door. Either works well, but should be secure enough so that a busy toddler cannot tug on them hard enough to dislodge them.
Common Pitfalls
As your baby grows, he may develop a better understanding of how the kitchen cabinet lock works and learn to manipulate it. Parents should be prepared to change the type of locks they are using. Cabinets that were child-proof before may suddenly become the latest hunting expedition for a curious toddler. Some parents secure all the cabinets in the house and forget the refrigerator or oven. Refrigerator locks can prevent serious accidents. Toddlers can open the door and pull items onto the floor, breaking glass containers, or can crawl inside and become trapped. There are several types of refrigerator and oven locks on the market today as well to help keep baby safe.
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