A refrigerator is just as much a threat as anything else in the house for your toddlers. It is pretty challenging to continue your usual lifestyle because even the basic furniture and appliances in the home can cause life-endangering accidents due to toddlers’ interaction with them.
A fridge is one of the appliances you need to babyproof to ensure the safety and security of the child. Let us enlighten you on the ways to baby-proof fridge through this guide.
If your toddler is fascinated by the refrigerator and wants to play with it, then you must take some serious steps to stop him from reaching the fridge, or other harmful things can happen like:
- Your baby could throw food items out and create a mess.
- The child can eat something uncooked or inedible that could cause an upset stomach (or worse!)
- The kid can put his hands in some spicy dish and eat it that could hurt his tongue or use the same hands to rub his eyes, harming them.
- The child could injure himself by pulling out something heavy like a pot.
- The toddler could get locked in the fridge by himself.
These incidents can cause a great deal of distress to you and your kid. This is the reason why it is important to take due care when protecting your refrigerator from a curious toddler.
In order to restrict your child’s movement, you should use a play yard or kids' gate to keep them in a constricted space that prevents them from opening the fridge.
If you think that this solution is inadequate, then keep on reading this guide as we introduce you to various alternatives.
Baby proof fridge locks
Using a locking device to babyproof your refrigerator might be a good idea to stop your kids from opening the fridge door.
Let’s take a look at various refrigerator locks.
Button Strap Fridge Lock
Button strap fridge locks are super convenient to use. The lock attaches itself to both sides of the fridge and connects through a strap. The simple push of a button releases the strap, allowing you to open the refrigerator, and automatically fastens when you close the door.
Benefit:
Easy to use
Con:
The glue isn’t very sticky, so children can peel it off.
Clip Strap Fridge Lock
Clip Strap Fridge Lock is suitable for a French door refrigerator that securely keeps it shut. You might find it difficult and exhausting to use.
Benefit:
Reliable to use
Con:
The lock is challenging to open
Hook Fridge Locks
It is a hook-type lock that is very easy to install due to its simple design. The strap comes with the lock, which you need to attach to one end of the fridge door or freezer door. Next, you have to fix the other end of the strap to the fridge handle.
Benefit:
It is sturdy and easy to use.
Con:
The hook can damage the paint on the refrigerator unless you are very careful after installation. It doesn’t work for double-door fridges as it can only be attached to one side of each door.
Padlockable Fridge Lock
The Padlock is pretty sturdy and durable. You might find opening the lock a bit annoying, but your children won’t be able to break it.
Benefit:
Super durable and unbreakable
Con:
A bit pricey
Multipurpose Lock
A multipurpose lock with a strap and dual button operation is perfect for baby-proofing the fridge. It’s super convenient to install and use.
Tip:
Clean the surface of your refrigerator with alcohol. It will help the mounted latch to stick firmly.
Benefit:
The flexible straps secure the fridge door successfully
You can also use this lock to babyproof other drawers and toilet seats
Refrigerator Magnet Lock
The magnet lock is a simple, low-tech solution to babyproof your refrigerator. All you need to do is stick the white side of the magnet (the sticky side) on one end of the door or drawer and attach the black side of it at some other part.
Benefit:
It adheres well and is easily removable if needed.
Con:
Sometimes, due to their small size and lack of adhesive power, they tend to fall off and not work properly.
Automatic fridge lock for toddlers
Automatic locks are available in two forms – swing type and slide type. The swing-type locks are installed at both sides of the door because these cannot be opened from just one point. The slide type of locks requires you to install a lock at the top and bottom part of your refrigerator doors. You can set a timer for these locks or simply leave them open all the time.
Benefit:
It is one of the most convenient options as it allows parents to access their fridge contents easily while preventing kids from opening up.
Con:
You need to check on them once in a while to ensure they are working properly and that there isn’t a malfunction because it could be harmful if not fixed immediately.
Refrigerator drawer-locking devices
A simple way of keeping your toddler from meddling inside the fridge is through covering some drawers with plastic containers or lids, or by using inserts made specifically designed for this purpose. This way, the child cannot access the fridge drawers due to lack of grip or deep enough opening that he can sink his fingers into.
Benefit:
They are easy to use and fairly inexpensive
Con:
The plastic covers could break off if fallen on by a heavy toddler who is not yet steady on his feet. Also, it might take some time for your kid to open up the containers or drawers because he will have to figure out how to do so first (which you don’t want).
You can try these alternative solutions and see what works best for you. In addition to baby-proofing refrigerator doors, there are other parts of the refrigerator you might want to babyproof for the safety of your toddler.
Refrigerator water dispenser
Kids can make a mess by spilling water or ice from the fridge dispenser. You can use the manual and figure out the locking feature to restrict your child from accessing it. A fridge water dispenser cover is another way to secure this area from your children. It’s a plastic lid, so you can put in or take out ice cubes easily. You can also use a spray-on solution to prevent the child from using it.
Warning:
Be sure not to install any locks on doors of a refrigerator that contain chemicals, such as an eco-labeled fridge with environmentally friendly products. It could potentially damage the content inside them if they are not treated carefully and regularly opened and closed with care.
Refrigerator temperature control panel
If you want to keep your little one from playing with the temperature control settings at your fridge, you might want to invest in a lock for it rather than putting your child at risk of electrical shock. An alternative solution would be to hide the control panel behind the kitchen wall cabinet doors.
Con:
They are expensive and some may require drilling which might cause damage to your fridge.
Fridge door handles
You can use baby-proofing foam on these kinds of door handles to make them less accessible or easier to grip for your children while also preventing hurting themselves by accidentally closing the door on their fingers when they lean against it. Such products are removable, washable, and reusable so you don’t have to worry about buying new ones every time you want to refresh your fridge decor.
Con:
These are easy to remove by a toddler who is determined enough. Also, some of them come faded and might need some paint touch-ups.
Refrigerator door storage areas
These are very accessible areas where kids can easily reach for their favorite snack or toy as you can’t use the fridge without opening the door first. You can prevent this by covering these with child safety locks on doors inside your fridge. It is a lid that covers an area and prevents it from opening unless the lock is removed. It ensures that things won’t fall off and be permanently stuck to the under-surface, increasing your cleaning time when needed. These refrigerator items are also easy to remove if necessary but will secure your food in place whenever you want.
Con:
Some may not be compatible with all types of fridges.
Remove the fridge magnets
Remove the souvenirs, notes, or blocks placed on the fridge door that are not firmly attached anymore and could go down anytime, so your kid won’t put them in his mouth. There are also child-safe covers for magnet use.
Refrigerator shelves and drawers
You can cover the top of your refrigerator with a shelf or cabinet to prevent your kid from removing items that aren’t meant for him. You might want to remove some fridge contents if necessary, especially bottles containing milk , juices, etc., in order to protect them from breaking. The same goes for the inside of the fridge where you could keep a china closet or insert specially made to prevent your kid from getting hold of them.
Benefit:
It is an easy but effective way to babyproof your refrigerator
Con:
All the benefits of using this method come at a high price though. It would cost you quite a bit to purchase a china closet or insert for your fridge.
Clean the grime under the fridge
Cleaning the grime stuck under the refrigerator could be a daunting task, but you have to take care of it. So, your child doesn’t reach it and put it in his mouth.
Benefit:
It reduces the risk of your child being exposed to hazardous chemicals, dust, and any other harmful elements.
Con:
You have to clean under there frequently so it doesn’t accumulate dirt. Refrigerator locks are a must-have for every home with an infant or toddler You can choose from door locks, drawer, or cabinet locks depending on what you think would work best for your baby-proof refrigerator. Babyproofing your refrigerator is one of the precautions that will ease your anxiety as a parent because you know that everything inside is out of reach from your curious child until he gets old enough to understand not to touch them.
Conclusion
There are always tips and tricks to make your home safe for your children even when they are too young to understand what is dangerous or not. You can babyproof your refrigerator in many ways mentioned above, but the best advice is to choose the solution that works best for you by considering its price, durability, etc., all while keeping in mind that nothing is 100% safe for kids except time.