The trio just turned 3 and along with that has come their ability to figure things out. They can now open the oven, and bottom freezer safety latches.

I'm so afraid that one of them will climb in the freezer and not be able to escape.

Our kitchen is not abled to be gated off. I really try to stay a step ahead of them when it comes to safety. I have had several serious talks with them along with disciplining them.

What kind of locks/latches are you using?

My

Tabitha - Parrish - Chloe
01/01/2007

I don't have any kind of lock or latch on my botton freezer at all. My girls have never tried to even open it much less try to get in it...Plus, my three year old could never fit with all the stuff I have in there, and yours must be easy to open, because mine is so hard that they would have to all three pull with all of their might to do it.

As far as the oven goes, mine don't try to open it, but they do try to come into the kitchen, when I am opening it. So we have a no one on the tile when the oven is open rule. Basically, they are not allowed off the hardwood into the kitchen when I open the oven. It really helps.

Kimberly,
Mom to Isabelle, Alyssa, and Makenna
www.guinntrips.com

We have a buckle type safety latch on the freezer but never even use it anymore. I probably haven't used it in a year. If anything, one of the kids periodically snaps the latch shut and confuses me when I try and open the freezer. I don't think my kids could get the freezer open, but they don't even try. Like the PP, our freezer is so full there is no chance they could fit in it anyway. At 3.5 our babyproofing is decreasing, not adding more latches.

Lori

http://yesidohavemyhandsfull.blogspot.com/

I was thinking the same thing. How on earth could they fit in the freezer? Mine have been able to open it for over a year but they have never thought to go in it. They take stuff out at times but I never put to lock on it. We also have the freezer on the bottom. Is you freezer big enough for them to fit in?

www.myliltees.com

Mom to Ciaran Thomas, Colin Francis and Cormac Robert. Born at 31.5 weeks.

http://lilypie.com>

Yeah, they can fit in it. I don't store much in it because we have a seperate tall freezer in the laundry room. My kiddos are fascinated with it because they can get to the ice machine and help themselves, so they think.

Tabitha - Parrish - Chloe
01/01/2007

I think giving your 3 year olds free access to the freezer is a mistake. I was also in the position where we could not gate off our kitchen, but the appliances were always off limits and they learned that early. Since they learned that it was not ok for them to touch/open/whatever those things, the chance of them actually trying to climb in one them was pretty non-existant. I know that it takes a long time and effort to "train" a toddler to not touch the things they are not allowed to touch, but I would think that at 3 years old, they would learn pretty quickly, if you are serious and consistent. I agree with the pp that at 3, you should be tending toward less child-proofing, not more...definitely work on it, you won't regret it. If they don't learn some rules and limitations to keep them safe, things are going to get much, much worse and dangerous as they get bigger and smarter. You can keep them safest by teaching them that they are not allowed to play with things that are not "toys".

Good luck!!

Kelly
Ben, Jack & Drew 05/28/02
Charlie 07/06/06
Aunt to: Liam, Aidan & Connor 03/05/08
www.outnumberedmommy.blogspot.com

Fill up the freezer. I have another freezer too, but the one in the kitchen is still always full. No way my kids could fit in there when it is full.

Lori

http://yesidohavemyhandsfull.blogspot.com/

Yea, I agree with letting up on some of the child proofing. I'm definately not adding more products, simply replacing one that I believe could be a serious hazzard for my children. The rule at our house is that they are not allowed to open or touch any appliance in our home. Free access is never granted, however, since they have learned how to undo the latch to the freezer and because they like ice they are pushing the limits.

I would much rather have the peace of mind knowing that they can not get into the freezer. I would rather be 100% sure than maybe regretting it later.

Tabitha - Parrish - Chloe
01/01/2007

I would not be the least bit concerned if they opened the freezer and got ice. Good for them. I would teach them how to put it in a cup and get their own water. Unless you leave them alone for hours at a time, how long could they possibly be in the freezer without you knowing one was missing? You can't freeze to death in a matter of minutes.

Michele
Sarah, Gregory, Amanda
born 1/22/04 at 35w1d

Our surprise baby Austin born 06/15/2005

www.fourtimesthefun.blogspot.com

I would buy a bunch of 1-gallon jugs of water and fill up the freezer with them. (You may need to empty a little water out first so they don't burst when they freeze.) They won't be able to fit in there and you'll have a stash of clean drinking water in case of an emergency. As a bonus, freezers operate more efficiently when they're full so you'll save a little electricity.

I think filling up empty milk jugs with water and freezing them is a perfect solution. The jugs will be too heavy for them to pick up and we will use that freezer just for ice.

THANKS!

Tabitha - Parrish - Chloe
01/01/2007

Your triplets are bigger than mine, so they may be skilled than mine, who are now 2.5 years old, but I have one latch that I may suggest.


http://www.babysupermall.com/main/products/kdc/kdc94101.html
http://www.galtbaby.com/kidco-adjustable-locking-strap.html

Mine can open up virtually any kinds of child-proofing latches on the market, but they have not yet figured out how to open this one. I use this to everywhere now. Is there any way that you can attach this latch to your freezer?

Many says that they need to be taught not to do certain things. I totally agree with it, but I feel doing both (child-proofing and teaching) is much better. I don't trust my kids yet to follow all the instructions and rules, so I try to do everything I can to keep them safe. Still, they do things that scares me to death,,,,.

Mika
mom to Kai, 10, Tomo, 7
AYa, Koto, Naoto, bown on 07/27/07 2 years and 6 months old