Quick answer: to childproof a home, start with the biggest risks: anchor tall furniture such as dressers and bookcases to the wall with anti-tip furniture straps, fit locks or latches to cabinets, drawers and the fridge, and limit how far sliding windows and doors can open. Fit everything a day ahead, because most stick-on locks need 24 hours for the adhesive to set. Safety products help, but they are not a substitute for adult supervision.
A quick check is worth doing before small children come to stay over the holidays, as well as when a baby starts to crawl or climb. TidyMend’s child safety products are in Anti-Tip & Child Safety.
Childproofing checklist
- Tall dressers, chests of drawers and bookcases anchored to the wall
- Kitchen and bathroom cabinets and drawers latched or locked
- Fridge, freezer and washing machine locked if children can reach them
- Sliding windows and patio doors limited or locked
Step 1: Anchor tall furniture with anti-tip straps
The furniture anti-tip strap kit uses stainless steel brackets joined by a steel cable, with screws included.
- Choose the furniture. Start with tall dressers, chests of drawers and bookcases, especially in children’s bedrooms and playrooms.
- Find a fixing point. Fix into a wall stud, or use anchors suited to your wall type.
- Fit the brackets. Fix one bracket to the furniture and the other to the wall.
- Join them with the cable. Connect the two brackets with the steel cable.
- Check before use. Make sure both brackets are tight before you load or use the furniture.
Step 2: Lock cabinets, drawers and appliances
- adhesive child safety cabinet locks (3-pack): white stick-on locks with an adjustable strap for cabinets, drawers, fridges, bins and toilet lids. They open with a press of the button. Let the adhesive cure for 24 hours.
- stick-on drawer and cabinet safety latches (5-pack): small pink adhesive latches, about 9 × 3.5 cm, that stick across the gap of a drawer or cabinet door. Let the adhesive set for 24 hours.
- keyed fridge and cabinet lock: a round black stick-on lock with a flexible steel cable and a key, for the fridge, freezer, cabinets or washing machine. Stick the two pads on either side of the door and wait 24 hours before use.
For all three: clean the surface first, press the pads on firmly, and wait the full time before relying on the lock.
For sharp table, desk and shelf corners, clear rounded corner guards (10-pack) or silicone corner and edge guards stick on and are less noticeable than coloured bumpers. Clean the corner first; let the rounded guards set for 24 hours before the furniture is used as normal.
Step 3: Limit sliding windows and doors
- sliding window stopper lock: a silver clamp-on aluminium stopper that limits how far a sliding window or door can open. Tighten it on the track with the included hex key; no drilling. Check that it fits your track before relying on it for child safety.
- sliding window and door child safety lock with keys (2-pack): black keyed locks, each with 2 keys, that stop sliding windows, patio doors and sliding cabinets from being opened. These are screw mounted and need an 11 mm hole drilled, so plan where each lock will sit on the frame first.
No-drill options for rented homes
The adhesive cabinet locks, the stick-on drawer latches, the keyed fridge lock and the clamp-on sliding window stopper need no drilling. The anti-tip strap kit and the keyed sliding window lock are screwed in. Check your tenancy agreement before fixing anything into walls or frames.
Tips
- Fit stick-on locks the day before you need them so the adhesive can set.
- Keep spare keys for keyed locks somewhere safe and out of reach of children.
- Re-check anchors and locks every so often, and after moving furniture.
- Use these products together with adult supervision.
Frequently asked questions
Do anti-tip furniture straps need drilling?
Yes. The TidyMend anti-tip strap kit fixes one bracket to the furniture and one to the wall, into a wall stud or anchors suited to your wall. Screws are included.
Which furniture should I anchor first?
Tall furniture such as dressers, chests of drawers and bookcases, starting with children’s bedrooms and playrooms.
How long before I can use a stick-on cabinet lock?
For the adhesive cabinet locks, the stick-on latches and the keyed fridge lock, clean the surface and wait 24 hours before use.
Can I childproof a sliding window without drilling?
The sliding window stopper lock clamps onto the track with a hex key, with no drilling. Check that it fits your track first. The keyed sliding window and door lock needs an 11 mm hole.
Can I lock the fridge or washing machine?
Yes. The keyed fridge and cabinet lock sticks on either side of the door and locks with a steel cable and key. The adhesive cabinet locks also work on fridges.
Related guides
How to choose and use a door stop · How to use furniture sliders · How to organize under the kitchen sink · How to fix a cabinet door that won’t close · All TidyMend guides