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8 of the best child safety locks for cupboards, drawers and appliances 2024
WHAT ARE CHILD SAFETY LOCKS?
Child safety locks will prevent little hands from opening cupboards and drawers and getting to items such as sharp knives, bleach, and beloved bone china. They are also great for restricting access to bins and toilets, so that your mobile phone isn’t thrown or flushed away. And for keeping appliances such as fridges closed and the contents away from small children.
See also oven door locks.
THE FOUR TYPES OF CHILD SAFETY LOCK
1. Magnetic safety locks
These are placed inside the cupboard or drawer and come with a magnet which opens them from the outside. A benefit of these is that they are invisible so won’t disturb the aesthetics of your kitchen. They also can’t be tampered with by a child as long as the magnet is out of reach. The downsides are that they are just for cupboards and drawers and you have to be careful not to lose the magnet (although you do get a spare). Some also find them a tiny bit tricky to install.
2. Safety straps
Safety straps are attached to the outside of the cupboard or drawer but they can also be used on a much wider variety of items like toilets, bins, fridges, ovens etc. To open them you just slide the strap out. Older children can sometimes work out this kind of lock after a while.
3. Safety catches
Like the magnetic locks, these are hidden from view. They are placed on the inside of the cupboard or drawer to restrict how far they are opened. The adult then releases the catch to gain full entry. There are three downsides: They often need to be screwed on so might not be suitable for rental properties (although this does make them very secure). Older children can sometimes work out how to open them. And while they work on all top drawers, they can only be used on lower drawers if there is a divider above to attach to.
4. handle locks
These are just for a set of two cabinets or cupboards and work by securing the two handles together. Some won’t work if the handles or knobs are too far apart.
THE BEST CHILD SAFETY LOCKS TO BUY
This list has been narrowed down to the very best with thorough research and the following considered:
Consumer reviews
Best-seller lists
Recommendations from industry experts
Award-winning products
Personal experience and the products loved by other parents.
The list is updated annually. It was last updated on 10 February 2024.
If you buy through a link, I may earn a small affiliate commission. 5% of profits are donated to UK Baby Banks to help parents in need of essentials.
1. AYCORN® Magnetic Safety Cupboard Locks
Comes with 10 locks and 2 magnetic keys with covers. Spares can be bought separately.
Can be used on cupboards or drawers up to 38mm thick.
The lock has a switch so that the lock can easily be disabled when necessary.
Uses strong 3M tape adhesive. No screws or drilling are required.
Withstands 30kg of pull force.
2. BABYGO® Magnetic Child Safety Locks
10 locks, two magnetic keys and 8 free corner protectors.
Suitable for cupboards and drawers up to 38mm thick.
The locks can easily be disabled.
The locks attach with strong 3M tape which can withstand a pull force of 29.9kg.
3. Dokon Child Safety Magnetic Cupboard Locks
10 locks and two magnetic keys.
Suitable for cupboards and drawers up to 38mm thick.
The key comes with a base that can be attached to the top corner of the fridge door (or any other out-of-reach metal item).
The locks can be disabled when necessary.
4. Jool Baby Child Safety Strap Locks
Pack of four child safety straps which can be used on cupboards, drawers, fridge, toilet, bin, dishwasher or oven.
The strap can adjust from 3” to 7”.
Secured with strong 3M adhesive.
5. Cheeky Monkey child safety straps
Pack of eight straps and four extra adhesive pads.
Can be used on cupboards, drawers, fridges, bins, toilets, dishwashers, microwaves, ovens etc.
The strap can adjust from 3” to 7”.
Attaches with strong 3M adhesive.
6. Dreambaby safety Catches
Pack of 14 externally invisible catches.
Can be used on cupboards and top drawers. They can only be used on lower drawers if there is a divider above for the catch to attach to.
They need to be screwed on.
7. MUNCHKIN MULTI-USE LATCH
One safety strap which can secure cabinets, drawers, appliances, toilets, bins etc.
Easily installed with the strong adhesive pads.
Press both buttons to release.
8. John Lewis Anyday sliding cabinet lock
This cabinet lock comes in a pack of one so is great if you have just one double cabinet to secure.
It measures H18.5 x W2.8 x D0.8cm.
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