Babyproofing or childproofing is the easiest way to reduce or prevent accidents in your home, especially in the kitchen, where there are items that can pose a serious threat to your little one. Kitchen cabinets are there to keep hazardous chemicals or sharp and dangerous objects away from your child’s hands. Whether with handles or not, you need to babyproof them to ensure that your baby is safe whenever you leave them alone in the kitchen. But then you ask, “How to baby proof kitchen cabinets without handles?” It is quite tricky, but this article will guide you on the things you will need and do to successfully childproof your kitchen cabinets. Curious about what these steps are? Read on!
When Should I Babyproof the Kitchen?
The kitchen is one of your house’s most dangerous, hazardous, and riskiest areas for a growing baby. It has some cleaning chemicals in the cabinets under the sink. There are knives and other sharp kitchen tools, just an arm’s reach. There is also the oven and the dishwasher, both of which are dangerous and easily opened even by a child. So, when do you start babyproofing your kitchen? There is no exact answer, but just remember that it is never too early to start babyproofing not only your kitchen but also other dangerous areas of your house. The very least you can do is babyproof your home before your baby starts crawling around nine to eleven months after birth.
Babyproofing Handle-less Cabinets
Now, let us answer the question: “How to baby proof kitchen cabinets without handles?” Honestly, babyproofing cabinets with no handles only differ slightly from babyproofing those with handles. You can still use the babyproofing items for cabinets with handles to those without, like the adhesive locks and magnetic locks. I mean, all cabinet doors function the same way, they just look different. So, here are the best and sure ways to babyproof kitchen cabinets without handles:
Adhesive Cabinet Locks
Adhesive cabinet locks come with two adhesive pads or ends connected by a flexible band. These adhesive pads are the ones you will attach to each side of the cabinet doors, just between the crack. They come in white or transparent design, so they can blend or not blend with the décor of your kitchen cabinets.
Magnetic Cabinet Locks
This cabinet lock has two components: the adhesive lock and the magnetic key. If you do not like any weird looking item pasted on your cabinets, this is the best option to use. You install it by peeling off the sticker of the adhesive and stick it inside your cabinet. When you close the doors, the lock will latch shut, and you can only use the magnetic key to open the latch.
Spring Latch Locks
This cabinet lock is simple to use and install, and like magnetic cabinet locks, they are also invisible from outside the cabinet. It comes in two components, as well: the hook and the optional grip. The hook has a spring, so to open the cabinet, you simply pull it open and then push on the hook. There is no need for a magnetic key to open it.
Of course, just some additional tips are the locks that will surely not work on your kitchen cabinets without handles, so do not purchase them:
- Rubber bands
- Cord cabinet locks
- Sliding cabinet locks
- Spring-release latches
The reason why these things will not work is that they need to function as proper babyproofing items.
Drilling Handles and Locks
That is the challenge of cabinets that have no handles. You cannot completely secure them or babyproof them with innovative locks. However, you can choose an option to drill some handles onto your cabinets, or even just install some babyproof locks on them permanently. It surely is a hassle, but if you worry too much for your baby’s safety and security from dangerous kitchen items or hazardous chemicals, then it is either you drill a lock onto your cabinets or replace them with handles. That is the easiest way on how to baby proof kitchen cabinets without handles.
Do Not Do Babyproofing At All!
Of course, suppose you do not like any of the options given above on how to baby proof kitchen cabinets without handles because you, as a mom, are afraid that your little ones will still figure how these locks work, or you just do not like how they look on your hardwood glazed-finished cabinets. In that case, another solution then is, well, not to babyproof them at all! This method is sort of counterproductive, but it is, in a way, a great way to train your organization skills, since the best way then is to remove all things dangerous in the kitchen and place them in one area that only you have easy access to, like an overhead cupboard or small kitchen closet that you keep locked and secure. No sweat at all!
Conclusion
Now you know how to baby proof kitchen cabinets without handles. It is not so different from baby proofing kitchen cabinets with handles. Of course, some items will surely not work, but just remember there is no such thing as being too early to babyproof the kitchen. Always familiarize yourself with the different ways to babyproof your kitchen. This way, it will surely reduce any accident from happening and keep your baby safe and happy. Always have a plan in mind, especially childproofing, and it will be a smooth-sailing kitchen for you and your baby. Know more about childproofing.