Customer Reviews

Kidco Toilet Lock

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

This is a great lock, and actually works. It keeps the seat and the lid down and, unlike the other style of toilet lock that just clips the lid to the seat but still allows for a child to pick up both pieces together, this one actually does what it is supposed to do. That being said, when we first installed this we thought it seemed pretty flimsy and were expecting it to break. It did not, however, and we were pleasantly surprised by that.

But... another thing that we noticed when it was installed is that it raised up the back of the seat a bit. This made the front and the back of the seat uneven relative to each other, which disrupted the seat's ability to distribute weight like it was designed to. We figured the plastic would "give" just enough to help even the load when the seat was in use, but it didn't, and we now have a broken toilet seat.

I do not think that this is a problem that everbody would necessarily run into, but it is one that everybody should be aware of. We will be replacing our seat, and will not be putting this lock on the new one. I wish now that I had kept the receipt so that I could return it.

It installs between the toilet seat and the tank, so the toilet seat is at an angle and eventually breaks. I can't see how this wouldn't break all toilet seats, but maybe some are sturdier than others.

I let my two toddlers in the bathroom as soon as my husband put the lock on. They went straight to the toilet and both of them started pulling and yanking as hard as they could at the lid and the lock. Satisfied, I walked out of the room for a minute. When I went back in the bathroom, they had ripped off the entire toilet seat lock and all. We put it back on for another pass. Since it took so much effort to rip off the toilet seat with the lock on, they don't mess with the toilet nearly as much these days. I think they really need to work together to get through the barrier. On another note, the toilet seat doesn't sit on quite right with the lock installed. Sometimes it slips suddenly when I sit down on it. It sits a bit off-center now.

We thought this was a neat idea at the store, but were really disappointed after we installed it. The major problem for us was that it really does not hold the seat down with any strength. With the lever tightened down and touching the toilet seat lid, the lid is too easilly lifted against the mechanism. We placed the lock on the toilet and then tried lifting the front of the seat, as a child might. The plastic components at the back of the mechanism bend and twist and allow a gap large enough for a child to be able to place their head through. This kind of defeats the purpose of having a lock. Needless to say we pulled it off right away and have ordered a different kind.

Additionally - like others have said, it raises the back of the seat so that it does not sit properly once installed.

I have tried several different types of toilet lid locks and they all have some kind of adhesive that does not stick and so they end up in the trash a day or so later (sometimes just hours later) and are a complete waste of money. This lock has no adhesive and is very sturdy. The arm is stiff enough to prevent the lid from opening very far and it installs with only a screw driver on the back of the toilet seat. You just unscrew the lid and place it over the holes then screw the lid back on. It has an adjustment screw on the side to change the height for thicker lids or covers and the best part of it is that the arm swings back by itself when you close the lid. You don't have to remember to re-lock the seat every time you use it! Great idea for a house with older kids who will not remember to lock up! It can be moved out of the way if you need to by pulling up on the arm and swinging it out to the side. Very easy operation, just push the button in with one hand and push the arm back toward the tank and lift the seat. It does require two hands to operate. The only problem I had with it was when we had an 8 year old boy stay over with our son and he forgot it was there in the middle of the night. He pulled the seat up with some force and the button and part of the side broke off of the pivot part of the lock. It still works but we have to lift the arm to move it instead of using the button. It still keeps the little ones (18 months and 2 and half years) from getting into it. I would definitely buy these again if I had too. They seem like they will last long enough for the kids to out grow their curiosity with the toilet through.

The idea is brilliant, but the execution is flawed.

The base bracket is thick, which causes the toilet seat to be not level with the toilet. Many people have broken seats because of this.

Despite being thick, the base is not rigid enough. With the swing arm in place (on a now not-level seat which creates an automatic 1 cm gap), a child can still lift the seat. (The seat acts like a lever upon the swing arm which end up torquing the base plate.) Then they can stick their hand or arm in.

There is a single set screw that sets against the plastic arm in a way that is not secure. With enough force, the arm can be removed from the base completely. Although this may seem like a stretch, you have to remember that the toilet seat acts like a lever when pressing against the swing arm, and the child's lifting force is amplified.

Worse, the arm can lift off the base even without slipping from the set screw because it is held down only by the internal spring. When this happens, the lid can snap back into place when you release it.

With this design, worst case, a child could raise the lid just far enough to get his head inside and then the lid could snap down on his back clamping him inside.

My nine month old baby is able to lift the lid enough to get his hands inside the toilet.

I worry this "safety device" is more of an un-safety device and strongly recommend you look elsewhere.

I returned this ASAP! It was AWFUL! It comes with a thick bar that you have to place the toilet seat ON TOP of! This elevates the toilet seat in the back and the only thing the seat is hanging on by is the flimsy plastic hinges of the seat!! I figured out quickly that if you sit down on the seat a few times, it will break off the hinges of your toilet seat and you'll have to buy a new seat! Whoever thought up this STUPID design did not think it through! From other reviews, I see people have already broken some seats. Sent this back and bought Mommy's Helper Toilet Seat Lid-Lok and I like it a lot better than this one!

Note: NO toilet seat lock will give you a super tight seal. There's always going to be some inch or so that you will be able to open the seat, but at least your child won't drown -- maybe just some of his toys will!

I really like our KidCo gates, so I was expecting the same quality from their other child safety equipment. Boy, was I wrong! This lock is difficult to install, it props the back of the toilet seat up and tilts it forward, and, worst of all, the seat and cover can still be lifted up several inches when the lock is in place. I honestly think my 1-year old would break this lock in a few minutes. It certainly would not stop him from slamming the seat on his fingers or putting toys in the toilet.

This lock keeps my three little ones from exploring the toilet when I'm otherwise occupied. The best lock is a closed bathroom door, but when you have to keep it open, this keeps the kids from playing in the water or tossing things in. They can't see inside so the entertainment value isn't there. A very determined older child can break it with brute strength however.

We have a Kohler "Rialto" toilet, and the way the toilet is shaped, it was not possible to attach the Kidco toilet lock to it. American Standard has a similar model, with the same problem. Have not found an alternative....