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We’ve added the Safety 1st OutSmart Flex Lock, replacing the brand’s discontinued Side by Side Cabinet Lock. We also added the Safety 1st Home Safeguarding Set to this list. destaco toggle clamp
Curious kids can quickly get into a surprising amount of trouble—one blink and they’re across the room, opening a cupboard they shouldn’t.
Securing doors, padding furniture, and protecting knobs can buy you a little peace of mind. (Bonus: Some of these items, like the various options for keeping cabinets closed, can also deter inquisitive pets.) Every family has different needs, but these tools are some of our staffers’ favorites—the things we use in our own homes to keep our kids (and our stuff) safe.
Munchkin Xtraguard Dual Action Multi-Use Latch (around $10 for a pack of two at the time of publication)
We had been repurposing rubber bands from broccoli bunches and other produce to secure the handles of our kitchen cabinets and keep prying little fingers out. But removing and replacing them each time we needed to grab a sheet pan or knife proved too inconvenient over time. So we got these adhesive-mounted latches. They’re cheap and easy to apply and use, and yet they are also an effective toddler-deterrent, since they require some hand strength to squeeze the sides to release the latch. We had the latches on for at least a year and a half, and the adhesive stayed put. We replaced our cabinets and thus didn’t have to deal with removal, though Amazon reviewers say it can require some elbow grease, and they also warn against applying these latches to painted surfaces. They’re not attractive, but they were a great temporary solution and less cumbersome to use than more complicated devices.
Safety 1st Stove Knob Covers ($10 for a pack of five at the time of publication)
This was my favorite way to keep my toddler from burning our house down. He was interested in the meal-prep process, but these knob covers successfully prevented him from being able to turn the burners on. The clear, plastic covers fit over almost any stove knob and install without tools, screws, or adhesive; it takes about 30 seconds to install all five. I appreciated that they look fairly unobtrusive and didn’t require much coordination to open when it was time to cook—with just one hand, lightly press and release the cover, and it falls open so you can access the knob. To clean the covers, you can just wipe off any grease and food splatter, or toss them in the top rack of the dishwasher.
Roving Cove Edge Cushion (about $25 at the time of publication)
When my daughter started doing her lurching, Frankenstein-like walk around our living room, we rushed to remove (at least temporarily) all of our sharp-edged modern furniture. One thing we couldn’t banish to another room was our mid-century fireplace. To pad its metal corners, we installed this edge cushion. It was easy to measure, cut, and apply the foam along the edge of the hearth, and the precut corners (which come with adhesive already attached) made it all fit together seamlessly. Its three neutral colors blend in pretty well with most furniture. I used the soft gray (called oyster white) on my aluminum fireplace, and—if you squint—you can’t tell it’s even there.
Safety 1st OutSmart Flex Lock ($7 at the time of publication)
These wraparound-style cabinet locks are relatively easy for adults to unclip (admittedly, it took me a few tries to get the hang of it), yet they’re difficult for young children to manage. They’re not the prettiest, but they don’t require any modifications to your cabinets; however, they work only for doors with facing handles or knobs. Just thread each half through one handle or around a knob, and clip them together to secure the doors. Because they attach and detach without any tools, they’re great for bringing to friends’ or relatives’ houses you’re staying at for a few days. We used ours to lock up cleaning supplies and toiletries in under-sink cabinets; one Wirecutter editor called them perfect “for the phase where my son absolutely made a beeline for poison under the sink.” Some Amazon reviewers say they can be tough to open, so be prepared to help out any guests who might need it!
Jool Ultra Clear Outlet Protectors ($9 for a pack of 32 at the time of publication)
Most outlet covers do a fine job of keeping little fingers out of the outlet, but they can be difficult to pry off when you want to plug something in. That’s not the case with the Jool Ultra Clear Outlet Protectors. Their thick, smooth plastic is tapered around the edge, so they’re easy to grip and remove (but not so easy that a baby could do it). They also look the nicest—they’re clear, rather than white or beige, so they disappear completely, even if they don’t exactly match the wall plate.
Safety 1st Magnetic Locking System (about $35 for a pack of eight at the time of publication)
I love that the latches on this locking system are hidden inside the cabinet and use a magnetic key to unlock from the outside (we bought two keys so we can’t accidentally get locked out.) Plus, you can flip a switch to disable the latches. So if you’re going in and out of a cabinet frequently, you don’t need to unlock it every time. The two halves screw into the inside of the frame and cabinet door, and since kids can’t see and tinker with them, it’s nearly impossible for them to learn to thwart them. (Safety 1st also offers an adhesive magnetic lock system, which in most cases doesn’t require screws.) My mechanically inclined toddler learned to open our baby gates and all other latches by age 2, but these survived almost four years.
Door Monkey Lock and Pinch Guard ($15 at the time of publication)
By about age 3, each of my three boys managed to outdo a lot of our childproofing (mostly through brute strength and recklessness), but the Door Monkey Lock and Pinch Guard endured for more than five years. It’s a versatile way to secure a door from the non-locking side to keep kids out. The lock is designed for toddlers, but it can work for older kids as well—simply slide it up the door until it’s out of reach. Its hardware-free clip-on installation stays put yet can easily transfer from one door to another. Two tension-grip arms grab the door itself while its curved hook holds the door ajar, so when a few kids are playing and one thinks it’s a good idea to start running around shutting doors, this device can prevent a finger from getting accidentally pinched.
Safety 1st Home Safeguarding Set (about $20 at the time of publication)
Most parents will need a variety of baby-proofing tools to use throughout their home. This safeguarding set offers four types in one purchase. Six door-knob covers (each has two parts that snap around the knob) prevent little ones from getting into rooms that are off-limits. We put ours on the doors that led to the garage and laundry room. They stymied our daughter until she was about 3 years old, when she’d hit them and spin them around until the halves came apart. Cabinet slide locks work well with side-by-side doors (particularly ones where the handles are set too far apart for something like the OutSmart Flex Lock to fit). One Wirecutter editor who’s used them for close to five years notes to aim for the lock to sit flush against the cabinet, to avoid snagging your pants or accidentally breaking a piece off. The kit also includes 40 outlet covers and 30 cabinet and drawer latches. With the exception of the latches, all of the tools are portable and convenient to take with you when traveling.
3M Command Medium Picture Hanging Strips ($10 for a pack of 16 at the time of publication)
Though the 3M Command Medium Picture Hanging Strips are intended for hanging pictures, many parents use them to invisibly secure doors and drawers. They’re inexpensive and easy to apply. And, unlike locks that install with screws, the adhesive removes cleanly and won’t mar your cabinets. Attach one side to the cabinet frame and the other to the inside of the door, and the Velcro holds them together. Adults can open them easily, but kids can’t. We started using them when our daughter was 8 months, and she wasn’t able to open them until she was about 2½.
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spring loaded handle Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions. Whether it’s finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we’ll help you get it right (the first time).