Creating a Safe Space: Why and How to Use Child Safety Latches
Our homes are full of everyday items that can pose real dangers to curious little explorers. While some parents feel guilty about locking up cabinets or removing objects, thinking it might restrict their baby’s development, the opposite is true. By removing hazards, you give your child the freedom to explore safely—and give yourself peace of mind.
Here’s how to decide where to use latches, what kind to choose, and how to install them properly.
1) Where You Need to Use Latches
Think beyond the kitchen—dangers can be found all over the home. Use latches to block access to:
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Lower cupboards and drawers: Anything within reach from the floor up to the countertop, especially if they contain breakables, sharp utensils, cleaning products, or heavy items.
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Upper cupboards: Especially those storing vitamins, medications, or cleaning supplies—often overlooked in kitchens and laundry rooms.
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Drawers with climbing potential: Even drawers filled with harmless items like towels can be used by toddlers as steps to climb higher.
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Junk drawers and shallow storage: These often contain small objects that can become choking hazards.
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Plastic bags and wraps: Including dry cleaner bags, bread tags, and milk bag corners—all dangerous in small hands.
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Garbage cans: Ideally, keep them inside a latched cupboard. If not, secure the lids and store plastic liners out of reach.
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Living areas: Newspapers, magazines, and other paper can be toxic or choking hazards.
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Liquor, cigarettes, and lighters: These must be kept completely out of reach or locked away. Matches and lighters are a leading cause of home fires started by children.
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Plants and their soil: Some plants are poisonous; check with your local poison control center.
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Purses and bags: Keep out of reach—these often hold medications, cosmetics, sharp tools, or coins.
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Changing tables: Move and lock away all creams, ointments, and medications before your baby starts to crawl.
Pro tip: Moving hazardous items to high cupboards may not be enough. Children can become excellent climbers—and they learn by watching us. If you use a chair to reach a top shelf, don’t be surprised when they try the same.
2) What to Know About Installing Latches
Not all latches are created equal—and no one latch fits every cabinet or drawer.
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Inside-mounted latches (the kind you screw inside the cupboard) are generally safer and more convenient than outside styles that wrap around knobs. They automatically re-lock when you close the door.
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Exterior latches are limited, don’t work on drawers, and are often annoying to re-secure.
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Latch choice depends entirely on your cabinetry. Most homes require a mix of latch types, especially if you have a combination of classic and European-style cabinets.
Classic cabinets show the frame and hardware around drawers and doors.
European-style cabinets are flush, with no visible frame—just flat surfaces when closed.
3) Things to Consider Before Installing
Look closely at your cabinets and drawers before getting started:
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Do your countertops overhang the cabinet frame?
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Does your sink drop low enough to block latch installation?
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Are your cabinet doors thick enough for the screws?
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Are your drawers built from solid pieces, or stapled and glued?
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Are there obstructions (knobs, magnetic catches) where you want to install latches?
Drawers are often trickier than doors. Take time to examine how they’re built—some may require creative solutions like side-mounting or adding wooden blocks to hold latches securely.
4) Choosing the Right Latch
Picking the right latch can be the hardest part. If you can try different ones before you install this might be helpful.
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Or, email pictures of your cabinets to info@babysecure.ca and get personalized recommendations.
Here are a few factors to consider when choosing:
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Fit: Will it work with your cabinet style?
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Durability: Will it hold up over time?
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Convenience: Can adults open it with one hand?
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Safety: Will it pinch fingers or come loose?
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Magnetic latches are popular for their versatility and one-hand access, they require keeping track of the magnetic key so always return it to the place chosen to store it
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Reach-in latches are more affordable but may be less convenient.
Tip: When unlocking latches, try to keep your back to the child. Toddlers are quick learners, especially by watching your hands.
5) Installing Latches
Installing latches properly takes time and patience—even for professionals. At BabySecure, we typically install 6–10 latches per hour.
Start with an easy spot: a set of two doors side-by-side. You can open one while working on the other. Save drawers for last—they're the trickiest.
Some latch installation tips:
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Latches don’t have to go top-to-bottom. You can mount them sideways if needed.
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For tricky doors or narrow openings, side-mounted latches or added wooden blocks may help.
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If your drawer has no space between it and the one below, you may need to carve a small notch or consider a specialized latch like the Wonder latch.
After installation:
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Expect a short adjustment period.
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Latches may shift slightly with use—tighten or realign as needed.
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Plastic latches often need a few weeks to “settle in.”
Want help choosing or installing the right latch? Send photos of your setup to info@babysecure.ca and get expert advice from professionals who’ve been securing homes for over 35 years.
