If you’ve just brought a baby into your home or your child is getting to the point where they’re grabbing everything they see and wandering around the house, then there are certain adaptations you need to make to your home. Childproofing sharp corners on furniture and blocking off the stairs helps to keep your child safe and injury-free.
Storage spaces are another key consideration when it comes to childproofing your home. Read on to learn more…
Why it’s important to childproof your storage
There are lots of everyday items in your home that can be extremely dangerous to young children if they get their hands on them. You might have chemical cleaning supplies under the sink, heavy cookware and sharp utensils in kitchen cabinets, and medication stored in the bathroom.
As infants start to crawl and walk on their own, their curiosity encourages them to explore the home and all the interesting things in it. You only have to take your eyes off them for a short amount of time for them to potentially get themselves into trouble.
Childproofing closets, cabinet doors, drawers, and other storage areas keeps them out and helps to keep them safe from these dangerous items. It also prevents them from injuring their hands if they were to accidentally trap them in a door or drawer.
Different types of childproofing devices
So, how can you effectively childproof your cabinets, drawers, closets, and more? Here are a few different tools and devices that can help you…
- Safety latches – These can be applied to drawers and cabinet doors to prevent your child from opening them. These are easy to open for an adult or an older child, so they keep young children safe without making things inconvenient for others. Typically, you just have to lift the latch or push it down to dislodge it and open the door or drawer.
- Magnetic locks – Magnetic locks are another option for drawers and cabinets. A magnet is installed inside the storage system, which keeps the drawer from opening unless you use a companion magnet to release the lock.
- Safety gates – If you have a storage area that is open, without a door, or if your child is able to reach door handles, then safety gates can help to keep them out. You may need to install a safety gate in front of a closet or the door to your garage or basement, for example.
If you want to design child-friendly storage systems for your home that provide you with all the space and organization that you need, then contact The Kitchen Center for custom cabinets, closets, and other storage systems.