ᐅ How can I make IKEA Hemnes furniture childproof?

Hello everyone,

I am currently planning to use some IKEA Hemnes furniture pieces in our home, mainly dressers and shelves, and I am looking for effective ways to make them childproof for small children. Specifically, I am interested in how to securely lock lever mechanisms or drawers to prevent pinching or accidental pulling out. It would also be helpful to know if there are any special retrofit solutions or everyday tips to improve stability against tipping, as our children are very lively.

I want to ensure that the furniture is not only practical but also safe for daily use, without completely compromising the aesthetics. Are there any experiences or recommendations on which child safety devices work well with Hemnes or generally with IKEA solid wood furniture?

Thanks in advance for your advice!

Hello Tibuus,

First of all, I think it’s important to address the tipping hazard of the Hemnes furniture, as their height and heavy solid wood design do pose a potential risk. Here is my structured approach to improving the safety of your Hemnes furniture:

- Wall anchoring: Most Hemnes models come with mounting kits, which you should definitely use. Wall anchors and brackets prevent tipping under load.

- Child safety locks for drawers and doors: There are universal plastic or magnetic blockers that can be installed inside. It is important to mount these securely, as children are quick to make their first attempts. Be cautious with adhesive-based solutions, as the glue can weaken over time.

- Reinforcement of drawers: To prevent pinching, I recommend fitting the drawers with full-extension slides, if possible. This allows them to open and close more evenly.

- Lockable cabinet doors: If there are toddlers in the home, there are locks that can be installed inside to increase safety.

In summary: Always anchor the furniture to the wall, use tested child safety devices, and regularly check stability.

Common mistakes when securing furniture include neglecting wall anchoring or using low-quality safety devices that rely solely on adhesive. For Hemnes, check the instructions carefully, as the fasteners are designed for the specific dimensions and must fit properly.

If you specify a particular model, I can provide more detailed advice.

I installed simple clip-on safety locks inside the drawers of my Hemnes dressers. This really keeps small children safe.

Also: don’t forget wall anchoring, which is important to prevent tipping.

Merlin52 schrieb:
Be sure to secure the furniture to the wall, use tested child safety devices, and regularly check stability.

That definitely makes sense, but don’t you think these safety devices are usually more of a temporary solution? Many toddlers tend to test limits actively. I wonder if it might be better to modify the furniture itself so that, for example, drawers can’t be pulled out completely or edges are made softer.

I’ve noticed with Hemnes furniture that some pieces are quite rigid and solid, which is good, but there’s a lack of a well-thought-out child safety concept straight from the manufacturer. Are there any official options from IKEA for child-safe use at all? Or are these mostly DIY solutions that tend to look unattractive?

Alice schrieb:
Don’t forget wall mounting; that’s important to prevent tipping over.

That’s true, but I often see that the effort for wall mounting is underestimated or that there simply isn’t a suitable wall available. Are there any practical alternatives?

Hello everyone,

I would like to share my experiences here. The Hemnes series is made of solid wood and quite sturdy, but this also means the furniture is heavy and can be really dangerous if it tips over.

- Tip-over protection: In my opinion, securing the furniture to the wall is essential, even if it sometimes requires some effort. Especially if you have children, this small effort is indispensable. If you live in a rental apartment, you can also consider special, removable systems that minimize damage.

- Doors and drawers: For our Hemnes dressers, I use simple child safety locks mounted on the inside, which can be installed with a bit of patience. Important: The screws must be tightened firmly, and you should check every few months to make sure everything still holds.

- Internal drawer slides: A great alternative is self-installed full-extension drawer slides, which prevent pinching and allow smooth opening. There are DIY kits available that also fit Hemnes furniture.

- Padding on edges: Soft edge protectors are especially recommended for dresser corners. They may be somewhat visually distracting, but they are very useful with active children.

I hope this helps. Safety usually requires several measures combined.

For effective childproofing of IKEA Hemnes furniture, I recommend a systematic approach based on tested standards:

- Wall anchoring: Hemnes furniture is not only heavy but also tall enough to cause injuries if it tips over. Therefore, the wall anchors provided by IKEA must be used.

- Drawer safety: Mechanical drawer locks, for example made of metal or durable plastic, should be installed inside. Magnetic locks or adhesive strips alone are usually not durable enough.

- Pinch protection: Hemnes furniture has relatively wide edges. The risk of fingertip injuries can be minimized by retrofitting flexible edge protectors and rubberized sealing strips.

- Child-specific locks: To secure dangerous items in drawers, installing locks with simple operating mechanisms, such as turn or slide locks, is recommended.

- Regular maintenance: Sustainable safety can be ensured by regularly checking screws and safety devices.

Documenting this procedure can be helpful if the furniture is resold and the safety devices need to be removed.

In conclusion: Hemnes is sturdy but requires additional safety measures. Professional child safety equipment delivers the best results here.