ᐅ How can Ikea Pax doors be made child-safe?

Good morning everyone, I am planning to childproof the doors of our Ikea Pax wardrobe. The doors are quite easy to open, and I’m concerned that our young daughter might pinch her fingers or open the doors when she shouldn’t. My question is: what is the best way to modify Ikea Pax doors to make them child-safe without significantly affecting their appearance or permanently limiting their functionality? Are there specific hinges, locks, or other solutions that have proven effective? I would appreciate detailed tips or personal experiences, including advice on installation and possible costs. Thank you in advance!

Hello, I would recommend using child safety locks for cabinet doors that are specifically designed to fit Ikea Pax. These are usually easy to install and effectively prevent children from opening them. Another option is handle locks or magnetic locks.

Hello Matthias, to answer your question precisely, there are several important aspects to consider. Ikea Pax doors usually come with Blum hinges, which are sturdy but not specifically childproof. The safest way to make them childproof is by adding extra locks, which can either be installed inside or used as external child safety clips.

A step-by-step process could look like this:
- First, check if the doors close very smoothly or if they have soft-close damping, as this affects handling.
- Install magnetic child locks that are fixed on the inside of the doors and the cabinet frame, so children cannot open them without a magnetic key.
- Alternatively, you can add latches that are easy to open for adults but difficult for children to access.

It is important to install the locks in a way that does not damage the doors or significantly affect their appearance. There are special sets for Pax that can be firmly mounted without screws. Costs vary, but such sets usually range between 15 and 40 euros depending on the features.

What does your current setup look like exactly? Have you already tried any specific safety systems?

Hi Matthias, your concern is very important, and I understand that you are looking for a solution that is both secure and easy to manage in daily life. I recommend that, in addition to the usual child safety locks, you also consider installing extra handles placed higher up on the doors. This way, your child won’t be able to reach the handles by accident.

There are also special hinge locks available, which you can find at Ikea or other stores. These are often fixed with screws, but you can also use so-called “safety clips” that prevent the gap between the door and the cabinet from becoming large enough to trap fingers.

Important: Make sure to also check that the cabinet frame remains stable, as unstable constructions can be particularly dangerous with small children.

I installed acrylic sheets on the inside to reduce the gap around the door, preventing fingers from getting caught. Additionally, I use magnetic locks that can only be opened with a magnetic key. This system works well for us.

A practical idea: We used simple child safety locks for cabinets that clamp under the handle strip. This effectively prevents small children from opening the doors without the need for drilling. It works very well on Pax wardrobe doors and doesn’t look too obtrusive. For aesthetics, you can choose a matching color.