Ethan BrooksBy Ethan Brooks

Toddlers are natural explorers. Once they learn to walk, they can open drawers, pull out contents, and even use open drawers as steps to climb onto furniture. Drawer locks and stops are simple safety devices that help reduce the risk of injury from sharp objects, household chemicals, and furniture tip-overs. While no device can replace active supervision, choosing and using the right hardware makes it much harder for a curious child to reach dangerous items or create a climbing hazard.

Short version: Drawer locks and stops keep toddlers from accessing knives, medicines, and cleaning products, and they prevent drawers from being pulled out and used as climbing steps. Always combine locks with furniture anchors, store the magnet key out of reach, and remember that no product is completely childproof.

Why drawer locks matter for toddlers

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) advises using safety latches and locks on cabinets and drawers in kitchens, bathrooms, and other areas to help prevent poisonings and other injuries. These devices can stop a child from getting to medicines, laundry detergent, household cleaners, matches, cigarette lighters, knives, and other sharp objects. The CPSC notes that even products with child-resistant packaging should be locked away, because that packaging is often not childproof.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), children between 1 and 2 years old can open doors and drawers, take things apart, and open bottles easily. They explore by putting everything in their mouths, even if it does not taste good. A drawer lock adds a layer of protection that slows down a determined toddler and gives a caregiver a few extra moments to intervene.

Still, the CPSC is clear: no device is completely childproof. Determined toddlers have been known to overcome or disable safety devices. Locks reduce risk, but they never replace the need for constant supervision and keeping truly dangerous items stored well out of reach.

What to store behind locked drawers

The CPSC’s childproofing guide lists several items that belong behind a locked drawer or cabinet: medicines, laundry detergent, household cleaners, matches, cigarette lighters, knives, and other sharp objects. The AAP adds that all household products and medicines should be kept completely out of sight and reach, and it specifically warns against storing lye drain cleaners in the home. Even if a drawer has a lock, the safest approach is to store the most hazardous substances in a high, locked cabinet that a child cannot climb to.

For dressers and clothing-storage furniture, the AAP recommends placing heavier objects on the lowest shelves or in the lowest drawers, and lighter objects higher up. This simple habit lowers the furniture’s center of gravity and makes a tip-over less likely. When those lower drawers are also secured with stops or locks, a child cannot pull them out and use them as a ladder.

Drawer stops and safety straps: preventing the climb

An open drawer is an invitation to climb. The AAP explains that multiple dresser drawers being open at the same time can make furniture unstable and lead to a tip-over. Children are curious and driven to explore; they climb onto dressers, tables, chests, TV stands, and bookcases to reach items that catch their eye. The AAP reports that 77% of all tip-over deaths from 2000 to 2019 involved kids under the age of six, and a child is rushed to the emergency department at least once every single hour of every single day with injuries from a furniture or TV tip-over.

Drawer stops or safety straps are designed to limit how far a drawer can be pulled out. The AAP suggests using the kind that attach on the outside of the drawer and the side of a dresser, or choosing magnet locks. By preventing a drawer from extending fully, these devices remove the stepping surface a toddler would otherwise use to climb higher. This is especially important in bedrooms, where about 50% of fatal tip-over incidents involving children occur, sometimes while parents think their kids are asleep.

The CPSC’s Anchor It! campaign reminds families that children like to climb on furniture and that unsecured furniture and appliances are hidden hazards in every room. A drawer stop is one part of a broader strategy that also includes furniture anchors and careful placement of tempting objects.

Magnet locks and key storage

Magnet locks are one type of latch that can work on drawers. They stay hidden inside the drawer and are released with a magnetic key. The AAP mentions magnet locks as an option for dresser drawers, with one critical rule: store the magnet key in a safe place out of sight and reach of the child. If a toddler finds the key, the lock offers no protection.

The CPSC recommends looking for safety latches and locks that adults can easily install and use, but that are sturdy enough to withstand pulls and tugs from children. Proper installation matters just as much as the lock itself. For step-by-step guidance, see our installation and use article. After installation, give each lock a firm tug to check that it holds, and reengage it every time you close the drawer.

Anchoring furniture is still essential

Drawer locks and stops reduce the climbing hazard, but they do not eliminate the risk of a tip-over. The CPSC states that furniture, TVs, and ranges can tip over and crush young children when they climb onto, fall against, or pull themselves up on these items. The agency’s Anchor It! campaign urges families to use sturdy furniture, secure TVs, mount flat-screen TVs to the wall, follow manufacturer instructions, and secure top-heavy furniture with anti-tip brackets.

The AAP reinforces this advice: secure all furniture and mirrors with anti-tip devices. It suggests considering metal anchors, such as L-brackets, because plastic can become brittle over time and break. The heavier the furniture, the more anchors you should use. Even if you install drawer stops, a child might still pull on the furniture itself or climb using the frame. Anchoring is the backstop that keeps the piece from falling forward.

For a broader look at how latches, gates, and anchors work together, read our childproofing products explained guide. And if you are just starting to childproof a home, the childproofing products section offers an overview of the main device categories.

A simple drawer safety checklist

Use this checklist, drawn from CPSC and AAP guidance, to make drawers safer in any room where a toddler spends time:

  • Install safety latches or locks on every drawer that holds medicines, cleaners, sharp tools, matches, or lighters.
  • Add drawer stops or safety straps so drawers cannot be pulled out all the way.
  • Place heavier items in the lowest drawers and lighter items higher up.
  • If you use magnet locks, store the magnetic key in a spot your child cannot see or reach.
  • Anchor all dressers, chests, and other furniture to the wall with anti-tip devices.
  • Remove toys, remote controls, and other tempting objects from the tops of furniture.
  • Check latches, stops, and anchors regularly to make sure they remain tight and functional.

Frequently asked questions

At what age do toddlers start opening drawers?

According to the AAP, children between 1 and 2 years old can walk, run, climb, and explore everything. They can open doors and drawers, take things apart, and open bottles easily. Drawer safety measures should be in place before your child becomes mobile, and they should be maintained throughout the toddler years.

Can drawer locks replace adult supervision?

No. The CPSC states that no device is completely childproof, and determined toddlers have been known to overcome or disable safety devices. Drawer locks reduce risk but do not eliminate it. Always supervise young children, and keep the most hazardous items stored out of reach even when locks are used.

What should I do if my child swallows something from a drawer?

If you suspect poisoning, call Poison Help immediately at 1-800-222-1222. Do not make your child vomit. For any serious injury, call 911 or contact your child’s pediatrician right away. Even if a child seems fine after a furniture tip-over, the AAP advises taking them to a doctor or emergency room because internal injuries may not be obvious.

For more detailed guidance on selecting and installing drawer locks, visit our Drawer Locks page.

Sources

Ethan Brooks

About Ethan Brooks

Ethan Brooks is part of our editorial team and reviews and edits our childproofing guides, checking product details against manufacturer specifications and owner feedback.