How to Lock a Medicine Cabinet
An unlocked medicine cabinet containing prescription drugs and over-the-counter medicines can pose a danger to small children and others who should not have access. Older medicine cabinets usually did not come equipped with a lock. Add-on locks that use keys are easily broken, and plastic locks that fit over a medicine cabinet door can be cracked and pulled off. Use a two-piece hasp fastener and padlock to lock your medicine cabinet. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Drill and 1/4-inch bits
- Ruler
- Hasp hardware
- Electric screwdriver
- Padlock
Instructions
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1
Thread the appropriate bit into your drill. For example, if your medicine cabinet is metal, use a quarter-inch drill bit made for use on metal. Measure and mark with a ruler and pencil where the two-piece hasp hardware will be screwed in on the front of the medicine cabinet and its door.
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2
Drill four holes --- two on the medicine cabinet front and two on the door front edge. Screw the hasp --- the part with the metal U --- onto the front of the medicine cabinet with an electric screwdriver. This will make unscrewing the hasp extremely difficult.
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3
Screw the fastener --- the part with the hole or slot --- onto the medicine cabinet door with an electric screwdriver. Ensure that the fastener slips easily over the hasp and stays put.
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4
Press the fastener flush to the plate of the hasp, clip an open padlock through the fastener and hasp and push the padlock shut. Pull on the padlock to ensure it is securely shut.
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Test the lock. Pull on the medicine cabinet door handle to ensure the door stays shut and no gaps exist between the medicine cabinet door and frame.
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Tips & Warnings
Use a padlock as opposed to a combination lock so you can easily unlock the medicine cabinet, should you need to get your medication in an emergency.
A determined individual can still pick a padlock or remove it with metal cutters, but it is much more difficult than simply breaking a plastic door lock or metal key lock.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
