13 Sep 2016

A question about : Cupboard locks

Would love some advice from you experienced parents out there!
I am in the process of adopting a little one and need to get cupboard locks for the kitchen.

I wondered if you would recommend screw in or adhesive types? I do not really want to have to drill into the cupboards so thought about the stick on ones but then wondered how easy they are to remove once I don't need them anymore?

I know that you can also get magnetic type ones but these seem very expensive and I need quite a few.

Thanks for your advice.

Best answers:

  • What sort of handles do you have on your kitchen cupboards? If you have knobs, you could just use strong elastic bands until the child understands which ones NOT to go in!
    Also consider moving the cleaning stuff up high and putting things which it's OK to play with down low.
  • BTW, the maglocks are brilliant: you can't see them at all from the outside, but they are really effective. So effective that if you ever put the unlocker in the cupboard by mistake and absent-mindedly shut the door, it's going to be a problem getting it open again, so get TWO unlockers and put one in a safe place ...
  • I also used the maglocks and can confirm they are extremely effective. For your needs though the elastic bands would work fine (as long as you have knobs).
  • The stick on ones are hopeless if you have a forgetful husband or ever have grandparents coming to stay. One firm yank and the door is open and the lock is broken! The magnalocks are great and when you don't need them anymore you can just turn them off. You don't need to remove them unless you want to.
    Why do you need "quite a few" out of interest? You don't need to lock all low cupboards to baby proof a room, just those containing chemicals and any containing easily breakable or sharp stuff.
  • Maybe cheap stick on ones then just to pass the inspection on the cupboards which don't actually need a lock and more expensive durable ones on your dangerous cupboards?
  • OR, if you can afford to get the maglocks, go for them with a view to selling them on ebay afterwards ...
    They are a bit fiddly to fit, but we've had some at work for several years and they really do the job well and invisibly.
  • I agree, just get something temporary. I think banning children from places just makes them more curious.
    Once the social workers have gone rearrange your kitchen - obviously knifes/matches/cleaning products and heavy stuff that could break should be out of reach. But some low cupboards with plastic stuff, pans, wooden spoons etc makes for great entertainment for kids.
    Another thing we did is to put all our DD's plates/cutlery/cups etc in a low cupboard so she can help get out her stuff and lay the table.
  • We aren't having any locks on cupboards/doors. We will be teaching our child that they shouldn't go in them - it worked for me & my husband (no such things 30+ years ago!).
  • If you have D shaped handles (get my drift?), you can get a D shaped thing with cable tie like teeth that means you can lock two cupboards that are side by side together. And hang your T-Towel over it.
    Poundland do packs of safety stuff which is ok if you are going down the 'some cupboards wont be out of bounds' route. They should pass the test. Keep the D locks for the chemical and nasties cupboards, although eating dog biscuits never harmed my two
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