How to Childproof Bedroom Dressers

Climbing on improperly secured bedroom dressers injures thousands of children each year. Keeping your children safe is a top priority for all parents. With a few easy childproofing steps, you can protect your little ones from injury by a bedroom dresser.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Furniture anchors, tethers, or L-brackets
• Hammer
• Drawer latches
• Screwdriver

1. Move the dresser away from any windows or doors. One reason is that if a child climbs on it, you don't want them to be able to gain access to the window. Another reason is that the dresser will need to be next to a wall to secure it properly.

2. Install drawer latches inside the drawers to prevent your toddler from opening them. Most children try to climb on the dresser or stand up by using the drawers for leverage, making the dresser top heavy enough to tip over. Latches also prevent your child from smashing his fingers in the drawer. Purchase these latches in the child safety section of any baby department.

3. Tether the dresser to the wall to prevent it from toppling over. Most new baby furniture will come with a tether kit included for this purpose. If you don't have these on hand, you can secure the dresser to the wall using L-brackets attached to the sides and top of the dresser.

[etmarciniec]

on 7/24/2009 This is good advice. I don't have a toddler but am expecting a visit from one soon. I didn't even realize they made drawer latches. Thanks.