How to Lock Cabinets

Kitchen cabinets contain many potentially dangerous items.

Cabinet locks are a key part of securing your home for children. Kitchen cabinets are filled with dangerous cleaners, glassware, heavy pots and pans, and all manner of potentially hazardous materials. Keeping these items out of the hands of children is essential. Cabinets can be locked with either exterior handle latches, or inside safety latches. Installing your own kitchen cabinet safety locks requires some basic DIY skills and a plan.

Things You'll Need

• Pencil
• Screwdriver

Instructions

1. Inspect your kitchen to determine which cabinets and drawers are within reach of children. Any cabinets which can be reached, and opened, should be locked to completely childproof your kitchen.

2. Inspect your cabinet door handles. The type of handles you have will help determine which safety locks you should use. For example, external latches require there to be two opposing handles, through which the lock can pass and hold them together. if your cabinets have knobs, or they do not have handles set close enough together to hold external safety locks, they will require internal latches. Internal latches are the only suitable option for drawer handles, since drawers do not have an opposing handle to latch onto.

3. Install your external cabinet door safety latches. Remove the sliding cross bar from your U-shaped safety lock by squeezing the release button on the top and bottom of the cross bar, simultaneously. Slide the open U-shaped portion of the lock through both of your opposing cabinet door handles. Replace the sliding cross bar onto the U-shaped portion of the lock and continue to compress the two pieces together until the doors cannot be opened at all. The lock should remain fastened in place, holding the doors in the closed position.

4. Install your internal cabinet door safety latches. Internal safety locks have two parts, which fit into one another to create a secure hold. Open the cabinet door in question and place the anchor portion of your internal lock on the facing of the cabinet where the door comes to rest when closed. Hold the latch portion of your internal safety lock on the inner side of your cabinet door, and swing the door closed most of the way. Line up the two halves of your internal lock so they fit into one another when the door is closed.

5. Open the cabinet door and use your pencil to mark the location of both halves of the lock. Use your screwdriver and the hardware provided by your safety lock manufacturer to fasten the two halves of the lock in place. Open and close the door to test the effectiveness of the lock.

6. Repeat the internal cabinet door safety latch installation procedure for each of your cabinet drawers as well.

Tips & Warnings

• While external sliding locks are effective, they must be installed again each time the cabinet doors are opened. Internal safety latches, on the other hand, are installed once, and work every time.

• Stairs, toilets, appliance doors, and closets should also be secured for the safety of young children. Even the pots left on your stove top are a potential hazard. Always keep all handles are turned inward so little hands cannot reach them.

• Child-resistant household containers are not foolproof. Place them in your locked cabinets to add a second layer of protection and prevent accidental exposure.

References

• Google Books: Popular Mechanics Home Safety Handbook
• This Old House: Childproofing Your Home
• U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: Childproofing Your Home
• Web MD: How to Childproof Your Home
• Bob Vila: Childproofing the Kitchen
• This Old House: How to Prepare for a Stress-Free Holiday Feast
• Families Online Magazine: Installing Child Safety Locks in Your Home