How to Keep Toddlers From Opening Dresser Drawers

Dresser drawers can seem like playthings to an innocent toddler.

A dresser drawer can look like a cave or hiding place to an innocent toddler. Toddlers are notoriously curious and love to play, especially with everyday household items (makes you wonder why you spent all that money on fancy Christmas toys, huh?) A dresser drawer might not seem like an obvious place to child-proof, but an adventurous toddler could be seriously injured or even killed by one. A curious toddler can pinch his fingers or even climb on an open drawer and pull the dresser on top of himself. Take five minutes to child-proof your home, and you could save your toddler an expensive trip to the emergency room.

Things You'll Need

• Child-safety latches for drawers
• Child-safety gates
• "L"-shaped brackets
• Screws
• Screwdriver
• Drill

Instructions

1. Purchase safety latches designed for dresser drawers at your local department or home-improvement store. Safety items usually are found in the baby sections. Babies "R" Us, for example, offers a variety of cabinet and dresser latches and locks to fit most dresser drawers.

2. Install the safety latch according to the package instructions. A spring latch will work for most dresser drawers and can be installed by attaching one end to the inside of the drawer with adhesive or a screw. The spring will grip the inside of the drawer box and keep your toddler from opening the dresser drawer.

3. Keep dresser drawers closed at all times when not in use. Close the doors to bedrooms or use child-safety gates to keep curious toddlers safe.

4. Bolt your dresser to the wall using provided materials or purchase hardware to keep the dresser from tipping in the event your toddler opens the drawers. Many dressers come with provided "L"-shaped brackets to secure the dresser to a wall. You can purchase "L"-shaped brackets at a local hardware store if your dresser does not have them.

5. Drill and screw one side of the "L"-shaped bracket to the outside of the dresser, near the top back corner. Drill and screw the other side of the bracket to the wall. Repeat this step for the opposite side of the dresser.

6. Check the sturdiness of the dresser by rocking it slightly. It should be snug to the wall and move less than 1/2 inch.

7. Close bedroom doors, if possible, to keep your toddler from having access to dresser drawers.

Tips & Warnings

• Supervise your toddler at all times to prevent injuries.

• Use additional "L"-shaped brackets to further stabilize the dresser if necessary, although two "L"-shaped brackets should suffice.

References

• "What To Expect The Toddler Years; Heidi Murkoff, Arlene Eisenberg, and Sandee Hathaway, BSN; 2003
• Babies "R" Us: Baby Cabinet Locks/Straps - Baby Health and Safety

Resources

• Parenting Toddlers: Practical advice and tips on Parenting Toddlers