Toddler Base Cabinet Safety

The kitchen can be one of the most dangerous rooms in the house for toddlers. Cupboards can pose a particular peril, since young children love exploring and are intrigued to discover what is hidden away behind those base cabinet doors.

Risks

• Toddlers could trap their fingers in cupboard doors.

  Base cabinet doors are a danger in themselves, since a toddler could injure herself on the sharp edges or trap her fingers. However, the cupboard contents could prove even more hazardous. Chemical cleaning products can be accidentally swallowed or spilled on the skin, and if a toddler breaks a glass or item of china, he could cut his hands on the shards.

Prevention

• The best preventative measure is to install safety catches or locks on your base cabinet doors. Never leave a toddler in the kitchen without supervision. Move hazardous items into a high cabinet that your toddler cannot reach. Set aside one cupboard that the child is allowed to play in, and fill it with safe items such as toys, plastic bowls and wooden spoons.

Childproof Locks

• Plastic child-proof locks and latches are cheap to buy. Many are self-adhesive, so they are simple to install. With safety latches, It is still easy for an adult to open the cabinet doors, but not for a toddler.