An essential part of childproofing is to install child safety locks. Installing locks in these locations helps safeguard your children, possessions, and peace of mind.
Bringing a new baby home is simultaneously magical and terrifying. Suddenly, the home that was lovingly prepared to welcome the baby seems filled with potential hazards. Parents can easily childproof their home, however, and one essential tool to create a safe environment is an assortment of child safety locks.
Child safety locks come in a variety of designs. Some are incorporated into appliances and fixtures, while others are purchased separately. The most expensive locks use strong magnets that are deactivated by a corresponding key, making them nearly foolproof, though if the parent loses the key it is difficult to reopen the lock. Less expensive but still effective styles include adjustable straps, slide locks, single or dual press spring catches, swivels, and door knob covers. Each style has benefits and detriments, and parents should select whichever style is safest and most effective for each use. Different types of doors, cabinets, and fixtures require different types of child safety locks.
Childproofing not only protects the child from accidental injury, but can also protect expensive possessions such as antiques, electronics, and breakable items from curious fingers. Locks should be installed as high as possible on cabinets and doors to prolong their usefulness. Installing locks before the child discovers the cabinets prevents initial accidents and allows them to become accustomed to the boundaries. Parents should operate locks unobtrusively to avoid sparking curiosity or allowing the child to learn how the lock operates through observation. No child safety lock is a substitute for adult supervision and guidance, but with proper use, safety locks are a valuable parental tool.
Where To Install Child Safety Locks
1. Kitchen Cabinets and Appliances: Parents spend a lot of time in the kitchen preparing meals and cleaning. Naturally, the child will be in the kitchen frequently, but there are many potential hazards. Safety locks should be installed on cabinets containing fragile glassware, sharp utensils, small appliances with sharp blades or long cords, or dangerous cleaning chemicals. Cabinets containing alcohol or junk food could also be locked, and installing locks on the oven, dishwasher, and other appliances prevents injuries and damage from curious hands. Children often mimic their parents' behavior, but toy pots and pans do not belong in the dishwasher or the oven.
2. Bathroom Cabinets and Fixtures: Medicine cabinets and cupboards containing cleaning products, razors, or other potentially hazardous equipment should be locked. Even if the products are equipped with child resistant caps, multiple barriers are safer and more effective. Toilet lid locks are available to prevent a child from playing or even drowning in the toilet, and faucet locks can be used to prevent accidental hot water burns.
3. Weapon Cases: Gun cabinets or cases containing knife collections, bow hunting equipment, or other weaponry, even if it is only decorative, should be securely locked, preferably with multiple locks for additional safety. Needless to say, guns should not be loaded and ammunition should be stored separately in its own locked cabinet.
4. Fragile Collections: Cases housing fragile or valuable collections should be locked to safeguard against accidental mishaps. China cabinets, glassware showcases, antiques, and other items should always be protected from curious yet sometimes slippery fingers.
5. Vehicle Doors: Many vehicles are equipped with child safety locks, but parents should double check the locks' effectiveness. These locks prevent a door from being opened from the inside so a child cannot accidentally open the door while the car is in motion. Many car windows are equipped with similar features preventing the window from opening fully so a child cannot climb or fall out.
6. Entertainment Center or Computer Cabinet: Cabinets containing expensive electronic equipment such as stereos, DVD players, VCRs, or computers should be locked. This helps prevent accidental damage and costly repairs, and also regulates the child's use of the equipment, encouraging them to engage in more imaginative play.
7. Laundry Appliances: As with kitchen appliances, children mimic their parents' chores by putting toys, pets, or other objects into washers or dryers, resulting in extensive damage not only to the item but also to the appliance. Child safety locks easily prevent such occurrences.
8. Entry and Exit Doors: Front and back doors, including sliding glass doors to decks and balconies, should be equipped with child safety locks to prevent a child from wandering outside unsupervised or from opening the door to strangers. Especially if the house is near a busy street or area where the child could easily become lost, these locks are essential.
9. Outdoor Gates and Equipment: While the child is playing outdoors, safety locks should be firmly secured to tool sheds, pool gates, and property fences to prevent them from entering dangerous areas or wandering away from home. Dog runs should be similarly secured to safeguard against accidental bites, especially if the animal is not around the child frequently and may become anxious or territorial. Trash cans can be secured with safety locks to prevent a child from throwing away non-garbage items, and keeping the lid securely fastened reduces contagion from bacteria and other pests thriving in the trash.
10. Off-Limits Rooms: Parents can use child safety locks to establish boundaries and prevent the child from entering rooms that are designated off-limits, such as the parents' bedroom or home office. This provides parents with a sanctuary and much-needed privacy. Doors that lead to steep stairways, such as basements or garages, should be secured to prevent falls, because even a few steps can cause serious injuries.
By installing child safety locks on cabinets, doors, appliances, and other potential hazards, parents not only protect their children but also their possessions and peace of mind. Children are naturally curious but they are also naive about the dangers of poisonous chemicals, sharp objects, and pinched fingers. Establishing boundaries early helps minimize the need for emergency treatment or discipline, and young children will grow up in a safe and loving environment.
