Safe Guarding the Fridge, while Saving my Sanity.

The other day, while cleaning up the mess of french onion dip and butter from my sons carpet(for the umteenmillionith time), I was running through every failed attempt we have tried when it comes to blocking his access to the fridge and pantry. He has defeated 10+ different styles of child locks, 6 styles of gates, duck tape, rubber bands, bungee cords and list goes on. We rent so we cannot damage the fridge by attaching a padlock and bracket. The fridge is just not safe! 


All of the sudden, BAM! It hit me, I needed an alarm system for my fridge, then I would be aware at 4 am when he wakes up and starts raiding the fridge. Then it dawned on me that years ago we used to have little window alarms that were  about 2 inches long by 2 inches wide. You know, the ones that sound like an extremely high pitched car alarm. He doesn’t like loud noises and at least this way if he would get in the fridge I could be aware.


Last night we went to Walmart, where I found a twin pack of window alarms that have a chime setting as well as an alarm setting. They were $9.99 and I just hoped like crazy they had a strong enough adhesive, cuz this kid is STRONG.


We got home and the first thing I did was test it out. I got it lined up, peeled the back off, slapped it on the fridge doors, stood there pushing it will all my weight for a few minutes annnnndddd…..It attached great!! I had to give it a few good pulls and it stayed put.


This morning, I called Cayden into the kitchen and switched it to alarm mode and showed him the sound, explaining that opening the door is what causes it to go off.


About an hour later, I am in the living room and I hear the alarm, but only for about 2 seconds. He came running out and said “Why dat noise in the pridge?” (Translation= Why is that noise in the fridge?”)


I had to giggle as I said, “that sounds means no touch, hands off for Cayden. If you want something out of the fridge you need to ask mommy or daddy and we can get it for you.”


Guess what…..


He hasn’t touched it since!!! I had to do a little happy dance! He has gone in there a few times and looked at it and walked away!!! This has been a LONG never ending battle, so I’m super stoked!!! I’m sure it may not last very long but at least for now its a quick fix. Hopefully, I won’t wake up to chef in training! It’s sad to say, but sometimes I have fun trying to “outsmart” my child. It’s almost like a game now, I usually can predict exactly how long it will last before he finds away around it.


Who wants to guess how long it takes for him to defeat this somehow?
Anyone think I can get a month?

**Update** The alarm system lasted about two months. I have yet to find a good solution to keep him out of the fridge. Good news is, he has stopped dumping liquids just to play in them.