Ethan BrooksBy Ethan Brooks

Cabinet locks are one of the simplest tools parents and caregivers can use to reduce a toddler’s access to household hazards. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) explains that safety latches and locks for cabinets and drawers help prevent poisonings and other injuries by keeping children away from medicines, cleaners, sharp objects, and matches or lighters. No device is completely childproof, and determined toddlers can overcome or disable even well-installed locks, so these products work best as part of a broader safety strategy that includes constant supervision and storing dangerous items out of sight and reach.

Short version: Cabinet locks reduce risk but never replace supervision. Choose a latch that locks when the door closes, install it securely, reengage it after every use, and store the magnet key out of reach if you use a magnetic lock.

What safety latches and locks are designed to do

The CPSC’s childproofing guide describes safety latches and locks as devices that can help prevent children from gaining access to medicines, laundry detergent, household cleaners, matches, cigarette lighters, knives, and other sharp objects. The agency recommends looking for latches and locks that adults can easily install and use, but that are sturdy enough to withstand pulls and tugs from children. To be effective, the CPSC stresses, these devices must be properly installed and reengaged after each use. Even then, no device is completely childproof; the CPSC notes that determined toddlers have been known to overcome or disable safety devices. That is why locks are only one layer of protection. You may also like Cabinet Locks Safety First: A Room-by-Room Guide for Toddlers.

Choosing a latch that locks automatically

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises parents to install a safety latch that locks when you close the door on any cabinet a child can reach. This automatic locking feature helps ensure the cabinet is secured even if an adult forgets to manually engage the lock. The AAP also emphasizes that harmful items should be stored out of sight and reach, ideally in a cabinet with a lock or safety latch. Child-resistant packaging is not childproof. The CPSC states that even products with child-resistant packaging should be locked away and kept out of reach, because this type of packaging often is not childproof. The AAP similarly cautions against depending on child safety caps to protect a child from getting into medicine bottles.

If you choose a magnetic lock, the AAP’s tip-over prevention guidance includes a specific reminder: store the magnet key in a safe place out of sight and reach of the child. That key is what allows an adult to open the cabinet, so it must be treated like any other hazardous item.

Common types of cabinet locks

While no single design works for every cabinet, several general types are widely available. Spring-loaded latches attach inside the cabinet and catch when the door closes, requiring an adult to press or slide a release to open it. Magnetic locks also mount inside, staying completely hidden, and are opened by holding a magnetic key against the outside of the cabinet door. Strap-style locks wrap around two handles or knobs to hold them together, making them a flexible option for side-by-side handles. Sliding locks fit over the knobs or handles of cabinets with double doors, preventing them from being pulled apart. Each type has its own installation requirements, and the CPSC’s advice to follow installation instructions carefully applies to all of them. No matter which style you choose, the lock must be sturdy enough to resist a toddler’s tugs and must be reengaged after every use.

What to store behind a locked cabinet

The AAP’s poison prevention guidance lists many household items that should be locked away. Cleaning products such as all-purpose cleaners, bleach, dishwashing detergent (liquid, powdered, or single-use packets), drain openers, toilet bowl cleaners, and furniture polish belong behind a latch. Laundry detergent, especially single-use packets, is very concentrated and can be toxic; even a small amount can cause serious breathing or stomach problems or eye irritation. The AAP warns that the packets dissolve quickly when in contact with water, wet hands, or saliva, so the container should be sealed and stored in a locked cabinet after each use.

Personal care items like nail polish remover, cosmetics, mouthwash, perfume, and aftershave also pose risks. In the basement or garage, antifreeze, windshield wiper fluid, gasoline, kerosene, lamp oil, insecticides, and weed killer must be locked away. Medicines, both prescription and over-the-counter, as well as vitamins and supplements, should be stored in their original containers with safety caps and placed in a locked cabinet. The AAP reminds caregivers to check the label each time they give a child medicine to ensure proper dosage.

Small objects that can be choking hazards or cause internal injury also need to be secured. The AAP lists coins, beads, buttons and pins (home safety tips) and screws and magnets (poison childproofing page) as examples. Button batteries are especially dangerous. The National Capital Poison Center explains that batteries lodged in the esophagus can burn a hole in just two hours, causing death or damage that may require feeding tubes, breathing tubes, and extensive surgical repair. Devices that contain button batteries, such as remote controls, key fobs, musical books, and greeting cards, should have secure battery covers and be stored out of reach. The AAP also recommends keeping nicotine products, including e-cigarette refills and traditional cigarettes, alcohol, and any bags or purses that might contain medicines out of a child’s reach. Trash containers that hold spoiled food, sharp objects, or batteries should have a child-resistant cover or be kept out of reach.

Steps to take when installing and using cabinet locks

Following a few consistent habits can make cabinet locks more effective. First, install the locks according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and check that they are secure. The CPSC emphasizes that devices must be properly installed to work as intended. If you use magnetic locks, store the magnet key out of sight and reach, as the AAP advises. After opening a locked cabinet, always reengage the lock immediately, even if you plan to open it again soon. The CPSC notes that reengagement after use is essential. Periodically inspect the locks to make sure they have not loosened or been damaged by repeated pulling. If a lock becomes brittle or fails, replace it. Remember that no lock eliminates the need for supervision; the CPSC states that no device is completely childproof, and the AAP reminds parents that most poisonings occur when parents or caregivers are home but not paying attention.

If you suspect a child has ingested a poisonous substance, stay calm and act quickly. The AAP instructs caregivers to get the item away from the child, remove any remaining material from the child’s mouth, and not make the child vomit. If the child is unconscious, not breathing, or having convulsions or seizures, call 911 immediately. Otherwise, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to lock cabinets that are above the counter?

Toddlers are curious climbers. The AAP’s tip-over prevention guidance explains that young children may climb furniture to reach items placed high up. A cabinet above a counter may still be accessible if a child can pull a chair or step stool over to it. The safest approach is to store hazardous items in a cabinet with a lock or safety latch, regardless of height, and to keep tempting objects out of sight.

Are magnetic locks safer than other types?

No single lock type is inherently safer. The CPSC’s criteria are that a lock should be easy for an adult to install and use, yet sturdy enough to withstand a child’s pulls and tugs. Magnetic locks offer the advantage of being hidden inside the cabinet, but their effectiveness depends on keeping the magnet key out of reach. The AAP specifically recommends storing the magnet key in a safe place out of sight and reach of the child. Any lock that meets the CPSC’s basic requirements and is used consistently can help reduce risk.

What if my cabinets have no handles or knobs?

Many locks are designed for cabinets without external hardware. Spring-loaded latches and magnetic locks mount inside the cabinet and do not require handles. For cabinets with a lip or edge, some sliding or adhesive-mounted locks can work. The key is to choose a lock that fits the cabinet style and can be installed securely, following the manufacturer’s instructions, so that it remains sturdy against a toddler’s tugs.

For more guidance on selecting and using cabinet locks, see our cabinet locks category page. You can also explore the broader childproofing products section and the article Childproofing Products Explained: Latches, Gates, Anchors. Additional room-specific safety information is available in our kitchen safety and bathroom safety guides, and our poison prevention page covers locking away hazardous substances in detail.

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.