Life as a parent becomes a whole new ball game when your baby starts to crawl and then walk. Suddenly areas in the home become a safety hazard. You begin wondering how to baby-proof drawers without drilling holes into them! You need to secure the stairs, remove precious stuff from tables and stop your curious baby from getting into the kitchen cupboard.
There are some quick fix-it solutions to babyproofing drawers such as the rubber band. But, did you know you can babyproof the drawers with innovative systems easily found in most hardware? These options would include:
- Adjustable furniture latches
- Spring load latches
- Magnetic child safety locks
- Non-adjustable latches
- Sliding cabinet locks
Some quick DIY solutions for babyproofing the drawers without drilling would include:
- Zip ties
- Dowel sticks or strips of wood
- Rubber or hair elastic bands
- Ribbons, rope or string
Read on as I talk about the above 9 different methods. I also talk about the pros and cons of each, why it’s important to babyproof drawers and when is the best time to do so.
Discover 9 Ways to Baby Proof Drawers Without Drilling
The following methods are some of the simplest ways of keeping your drawers safe from your curious and mobile baby.
1. Adjustable Furniture Latches
This innovative method requires absolutely no tools and no drilling. All you have to do is peel away the backing on the adhesive strip and apply to the drawers. A locking system keeps the latch firmly closed until you want to open it by sliding the release button. They’re tough enough to handle any toddler pulling on them.
The Wappa Child Safety Locks are a good example of this type of babyproofing. You can adjust the length of the latch from 4.5 inches to 7.5 inches. They can be applied across cupboard doors, and corners of drawers, to hold down the toilet lid, and even to keep your refrigerator door closed. The Skyla Cabinet Child Safety Latches also work on the same principle.
2. Spring Latch Locks
This type of lock works well if you want to prevent using any unsightly locks on the outside of your drawers. These locks are placed inside the drawer and operate on a spring to release and catch the latch when you open and close the drawer. The two parts of this system include a hook and a grip.
The Suniry Child Cabinet Lock is applied by sticking on with the strong 3M adhesive tape on the back of the lock parts. While this product is spring-loaded, the Coolrunner Child Safety Lock also uses the catch and release system. But instead of an actual spring, the latch is made with pliable ABS resin material which bends as you press down on it. It’s also applied with strong adhesive tape.
3. Magnetic Child Safety Locks
These types of child safety locks rely on strong magnets to keep the drawers closed. Most designs include a latch and a lock with a magnetic key to open the lock. A safety switch is included in the lock. This allows you to keep the lock open when you’re using the drawer often and don’t want to fiddle using the magnetic key to release the latch. This is ideal for areas such as the kitchen when you’re using the drawers often during cooking.
The MOP Invisible Magnetic Cabinet Locks are an example of this type of locking system. They’re easy to install, using adhesive tape for applying to the drawers. A pack includes 8 cabinet locks and 8 magnetic keys. The Vmaisi Magnetic Cabinet Locks also offer the same method with 20 in a pack and 2 magnetic keys.
4. Non-Adjustable Latches
Latches can be applied to keep drawers and cupboard doors closed without any adjustment features. This simple design allows you to stick the latch onto the corner of drawers or across the opening of the cupboard doors with strong 3M adhesive tapes.
A press button on either side of the latch is released simultaneously. This is easy for adults to use but not so easy for small fingers. The Been5le Child Safety Cabinet Lock is a good example of this method and includes 4 in a pack.
![Been5le Child Safety Cabinet Locks - [4 Pack], Baby Proofing Cabinet Latch for Kitchen Storage Doors, Drawers, Cupboard, Oven, Refrigerator (White&Green)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41gNIJHpMeL.jpg)
5. Sliding Cabinet Locks
These U-shaped child safety locks are easy to use and require no tapes or drilling. Your drawers will need to have D-shaped or annular handles that allow this method to work. Most products such as the Adoric Sliding Cabinet Locks are adjustable up to 5 inches giving you the flexibility to use them in a wide range of applications.
To keep this lock secure from inquisitive children, the lock is released by pressing buttons simultaneously. This is easy for parents to manage but harder for small children to figure out and use.
6. Zip Ties
Any handyman or woman knows all about the zip tie! Also known as a cable tie, this has to be one of the simplest but innovative tools every handyman has in his toolbox. You can use them in a wide range of applications from keeping cables neatly tied together to keeping drawers firmly shut.
Zip ties work well when you don’t need to open your drawers often. Normally you would need to cut and discard the zip tie when you’re done with it. I would recommend using this method on drawers where you’re storing items you don’t need regularly.
7. Rubber and Hair Elastic Bands
If you’re looking for a quick DIY because you haven’t been able to get down to your local hardware, then rubber or hair elastic bands work well. This method is best with drawers using knob handles and not placed far apart.
Wrap the band around one handle, create an 8-shape loop and then wrap around the other handle. You can purchase extra-long, strong rubber bands to do the job if you have drawers with handles placed far apart. This will keep your drawers firmly shut against tugging toddler hands.
8. Dowel Stick or Strip of Wood
You could use a dowel stick or a thin panel of wood to slide down through the handles. All you have to do is pull it out whenever you want to open one of the drawers.
This is definitely a child-proof way of keeping the drawers firmly shut without using any adhesive tape or drilling. But, it’s not the most aesthetically appealing method to use!
9. String, Ribbon or Rope
Okay, now I’m giving you a method you can use that’s seriously simple. Grab any piece of string, rope or even some ribbon and tie them around through the handles or around the knobs on the drawers.
You could get creative and use pretty ribbon and attractive tie knots but otherwise, this method is purely a DIY on the run. For the older and stronger toddler, you’ll need to make sure the cord used is strong to withstand constant tugging and pulling. And, remember to always double-tie the knot for extra safety.
The Pros and Cons of Different Baby Proofing Methods
I’ve shared with you the various ways of babyproofing your drawers when your little one is on the move. I have also written an article before on a similar topic and you may be interested to read how to babyproof cabinets and drawers with and without handles. In this article, I touched on what you should consider when baby-proofing your drawers. It’ll be worth your while reading this article to give you more information about this important topic.
Below, I’ve included a table comparing all the pros and cons of using the different babyproofing methods I’ve shared with you today. The one BIG pro of all these methods is not having to use a drill. This is perfect for those parents who simply don’t keep a toolbox in the home. And, if you don’t want to damage grandma’s precious cabinet!
| Type of method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Adjustable Furniture Latches | - Works on most drawers, cupboards, toilets, refrigerators etc - Adjustable length of up to 8 inches - Apply with adhesive tape - Strong enough to withstand tugging from children - Opened with smart slide release button - Easy to install - Don’t leave marks on the furniture - Cost effective | - If not left for 24 hours before use, the adhesive tape won’t last long - Surface needs to be smooth and flat for proper adhesion - Need both hands to unlock |
| Spring Latch Locks | - Excellent “invisible” locking system - Easy to install and use - Strong and durable - One-handed operation - No keys needed | - Application surface needs to be smooth and clean for good adhesion - Don’t work well with overlay drawers - Some latches are designed for only certain types of drawers - Accuracy required to ensure the latch works properly |
| Magnetic Child Safety Locks | - Secure locking system with on/off switches - Very strong/withstands pulling - Neat and elegant - Quick and easy to install - No damage to the drawers | - More expensive than other methods - Relies on a key to open which can get tiresome - Won’t fit all types of drawers |
| Non-adjustable Latches | - Easy to install and use - Opens with simultaneous pressing of buttons - Strong and sturdy - Cost-effective | - Can’t be used with wide lengths/depths - All surfaces need to be well-cleaned before applying |
| Sliding Cabinet Locks | - Easy to use - No tools or adhesive taping required for installation - Only works with D-shaped or annular handles - Cost-effective | - May not fit different lengths between handles - Needs both hands to operate |
| Zip Ties | - Quick and easy to use - Cost effective - Strong and durable | - Cut and discard whenever you open a drawer |
| Rubber and Hair elastic bands | - Quick DIY solution - Cheap alternative | - Not convenient in the long run - Only works with handles close together |
| Dowel stick/Strip of wood | - Quick DIY solution - Sturdy - Cheap alternative | - Not convenient in the long run - Unattractive |
| Ribbon/string/rope | - Quick DIY solution - Cheap alternative | - Not convenient in the long run - Can easily break if not using strong material |
Why I Need to Baby Proof Drawers
When your baby is learning to stand and walk, they grab onto everything in sight to give them something to pull up on. And, to keep them stable. Cabinets with drawers is a piece of furniture every home has and is often the first item a baby will grab on to.
One of the biggest dangers of grabbing onto a drawer’s handle is pulling it open and risking the drawer landing on your baby’s head. Then, there’s the danger of what’s stored in the drawer. If it’s your socks and panties drawer, well you don’t need to stress too much. But if it’s your kitchen cutlery drawer, you’ve got another story.
Very quickly your active baby will have their fingers in everything and reaching for the knives and forks is a disaster waiting to happen! So, to keep your baby safe and you sane, baby-proofing drawers make a whole lot of sense.
Watch this video which gives you plenty of reasons for not only babyproofing drawers but other areas of your home.
When Should I Baby Proof Drawers?
If you’re a well-organized parent, you may have already planned all your baby-proofing strategies well before your baby is active. But, especially for first-time parents, the idea of baby-proofing only hits home when you realize how inquisitive your now active baby is. And, how mobile they are too even if they’re only crawling.
If you want to be well organized, I recommend you start baby-proofing your home sooner than later. Walk around your home with a checklist and identify all the potential areas that can be dangerous for an active baby. Drawers are one area many parents forget so make sure you include them in your babyproofing exercise.
Your baby will start crawling from the age of 6 to 9 months. So, the best time to start babyproofing drawers should be before they reach their 6 months milestone. This gives you time to have everything safely contained before your baby is actively (and curiously) moving around the house.
Is it Expensive to Baby Proof My Drawers?
With so many different ways to baby-proof drawers, you’ll easily find the method that suits your budget without breaking the bank. Of course, it does depend too on how many drawers you need to babyproof. But, most of the methods I mention in this article are well-priced. The quick DIY ways of keeping your drawers safe are very cost-effective without having to spend vast amounts of money.
Final Thoughts
Finding ways to baby-proof drawers without drilling can be simple. But you need to be aware of certain features such as making sure the adhesive tape is strong and long-lasting. You need to ensure the lock design is suitable for the type of drawers you have in your home. Another question to ask is how strong is the lock against my child’s constant tugging and pulling at a drawer.
The methods I’ve spoken about today are cost-effective, quick and easy to install and to use and won’t cause any damage to your furniture. They’re either invisible or look attractive (unless you’re using the quick DIY methods!) so they won’t be an eyesore wherever you use them.
Whichever method you do settle for, know you’ll have peace of mind your child won’t be getting into your drawers anymore.
And if you want to keep exploring this topic, you might want to read my article on how to baby-proof drawers, cabinets with and without handles.
Last update on 2024-12-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API