How to Child Proof a Cabinet
If you've spent any time around toddlers, you know they love to open cabinets and pull out whatever they find inside. This can be a problem if the contents of a cabinet are heavy or fragile, or contain potentially dangerous chemicals, such as those found in some household cleaners. Installing childproof locks or latches can help you stay worry free while letting your child explore to his heart's content.
Sliding childproof locks are best for cabinets with two doors that open outward and have doorknobs close to each other in the center. For a one-door cabinet, a latch is a better choice. If you don't want to screw something into your cabinet, choose a device that loops over the doorknobs or that attaches with adhesive.
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Instructions
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Installing a Sliding Childproof Lock
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1
To install a sliding cabinet lock with two loops, simply place the device's loops over each cabinet knob. Tighten the plastic loops over the knobs by sliding the lock upwards. If your sliding cabinet lock is one continuous loop, place it over both cabinet knobs and slide the lock toward the knobs to tighten it. When you've made the lock as tight as possible, try to open the cabinet. If you can only open it half an inch or so, the childproofing device is properly installed.
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2
To open a cabinet lock with two loops, press the center of the lock while simultaneously pressing the latch at the bottom of the body of the lock, in the center. Pull the body apart: it will split down the middle, letting you open the cabinet while still leaving the loops on the knobs. To open a one-loop cabinet lock, press the buttons on both sides of the lock and slide it away from the knobs.
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3
To remove a left-hand two-loop lock entirely, pull up the latch on the right side of the lock's body, near the top. Slide the body of the lock down the plastic tie, which will widen the loop and let you take the loop off the knob. To remove a right-hand two-loop lock, repeat this step, but pull up the latch on the left side of the lock's body instead. To remove the one-loop lock, simply open it, as described in Step 2, and lift it off the knobs.
Installing a Childproof Cabinet Latch
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Put one of the adhesive pads that came with the latch on the back of the "hook," or the long part of the latch, and one on the back of the "eye," or the short part into which the hook fits.
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Stick the hook to the cabinet door so that the back is flat against the door and the hook extends into the cabinet: it should extend up and out, in a shape that looks like half a T.
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Stick the eye to the cabinet doorframe, and position it so that the lip on the hook will catch onto the eye when you close the door.
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Close the cabinet door and open it to test if you've aligned both the hook and the eye properly. If not, readjust.
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When you're happy with the placement of the hook and eye, use the screws that came with the latch to screw both pieces into place.
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Tips & Warnings
Not all childproof latches and locks work the same way. Before you start installing any lock or latch, consult the instructions the manufacturer included in the packaging.
