How to Make Kitchen Cabinets Safe for Babies

A kitchen can be a dangerous place for a baby. Baby proofing kitchen cabinets and drawers can be easy and cheap if you use the right equipment.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Industrial Strength Velcro
• Super Glue

1. 
   Traditional Baby Proof Locks

   We have all seen the traditional baby proofing products out there. There are hundreds of devices that proclaim they are absolutely baby proof. The truth of the matter is that while being baby proof they are adult proof as well. Many customers have trouble opening the devices or are required to deface their cabinets to install them properly.

2. 
   Custom Cabinetry

   You may find that commercial baby proof locks aren't designed to fit your cabinets at all. This is the case with custom cabinets or many of the high end models. Drilling through cabinet doors may not be an option if you don't have the proper tools, or you are living in a rental unit.

3. 
   Velcro

   If you are looking for a more cost effective solution to baby proofing your environment you don't need to look any further than Velcro. Velcro applied to kitchen cabinet doors and drawers can effectively lock a baby out while still allowing the adult to get in.

4. 
   Fussy Baby

   I bought all the baby proofing products known to man when I was expecting my first child. What I found was that while I was holding my baby I was effectively locked out of everything. When a baby is fussy the last thing you want to do is wrestle with safety locks to retrieve an item you need. I was frustrated with the choices I had in keeping my baby and other children safe.

5. 
   Stitch on Velcro

   Adding Velcro to your kitchen cabinets is the low cost solution you are looking for. Velcro is strong and durable and requires you to use force to open a door or drawer locked with it. While this will be an easy task for you it is impossible for a baby or even your older children. Using Velcro to baby proof your kitchen cabinets is a better solution to the many commercial baby proofing products out there. You can keep your baby and your older children safe with this cheap alternative to plastic locks and metal devices.

6. 
   Industrial Strength Velcro

   Cut Velcro in pieces that are 2 inches by 1 inch. Use super glue to attach one side to the door and one side to the cabinet making sure your pieces are lined up correctly. Apply a set of Velcro to the top corner and bottom corner of your cabinets as well as the top and bottom edge. Use the same method on kitchen drawers, potato bins, or any other thing that a baby needs to be locked out of. Consider using Velcro to lock the tops of benches as well. This can at the very least keep a baby from getting his/her fingers smashed.

7. 
   Velcro Strength

   Remember Velcro in the right situation can even hold the weight of an adult.

Tips & Warnings

• Use industrial strength Velcro for better locking strength.
• Move chemicals to a cabinet that a baby cannot reach.

[Alrady]

on 4/24/2009 I never would have thought... thanks for tip.. and AMEN to STep 4.

[xxdesertash]

on 2/22/2009 I defiantly need to do this in my home, my nephew was just over last night opening my cabinets! LOL!

[aew4]

on 2/20/2009 great low-cost and flexible solution to an important problem! 5*

[brantsbabe]

on 2/19/2009 I need to try this. 5*****