Customer Reviews

Safety 1st Tot-Lok Four Lock Assembly

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

The cost of these locks might scare some away, but remember this: my brother installed the plastic hook locks on his cabinetry. His 11-month son not only defeated the locks, but also defeated the childproof cap on a dishwasher detergent bottle. Thank God he didn't ingest it, but instead ruined their carpets. Lucky.

These cabinet locks are, in a word, amazing. I have these installed on all of our bathroom and kitchen cabinets in our house. The installation directions are horrible, but I developed a workaround for them. First, I installed the hasp on the cabinet frame. Then I used the enclosed template to determine where to drill the magnet hole in the cabinet door. After that main hole was drilled, I put the lock assembly in place and used the actual assembly holes to mark where to drill the four smaller holes to anchor it in place. Worked like a charm each time. The first set of doors took me over an hour to install. At the end I was installing a set in 15 minutes, with the bulk of that time spent in changing the drill bits.

LESSONS LEARNED:

1 - Use the correct size drill bits. Don't even think of using the wrong size bit. This is one case where size does matter.
2 - Use a cordless screwdriver. Yes, all screwdrivers are cordless but by this I mean a battery operated screwdriver or drill. Believe me, you'll regret it when your wrists feel like they are going to fall off - and you only have 9 more cabinets to go!
3 - Use the drill bit depth guide on the larger of the two bits - it's a must unless you have an uncle in the cabinet business. For the smaller bit, I measured it against the thickness of the door, and made positively certain that the bit would not go through the door by accident.
4 - If you are buying multiple sets of the locks, keep the spare screws, etc, in a plastic bag - you may need them.
5 - Have one magnetic key for each room, no exceptions. We even have two keys for our master bathroom, one for my husband's sink cabinets and one for mine.
6 - Insist that everyone acclimate to the cabinet locks. Not locking a cabinet really defeats the purpose now, doesn't it?

Although the installation instructions are atrocious and quite intimidating, these are bar none the best cabinet locks that I have found. Don't let the cost scare you away.

Our toddler has figured out how to open other locking devices that we have but these ones keep our cabinets secure. They are easier to install then other brands that I've tried. I like the fact that they can be disabled on a permanent or temporary basis by flipping a simple switch -- you don't have do remove all of the locks if you decided that you no longer need them. The only trick with these locks is to remember to keep the magnetic key in the same place all of the time. I'd recommend having two keys around in case one is misplaced.

My only complaint is that they are more expensive than other locking devices -- but they work well and are worth the extra expense.

These locks are the best solutions I've tried, for many applications, but compared to the others they are also VERY DIFFICULT TO INSTALL. I am a carpenter but don't mean to say you can't install them with modest skills -- yet there are many opportunities to mess up by misaligning the pieces, tearing up the wood, stripping the screws, or drilling through the drawer/door front -- it is necessary to drill from the back to within ONE EIGHTH INCH of the front. Sure you can do it, with care, but care takes time and we all have bad days. I think they should give you a drill bit and stop, or at least sell one alongside the locks.

They should insist that EVERYONE GET AT LEAST TWO KEYS because you *will* either lose one (perhaps to a curious toddler) or, my weakness, lock the key in the cabinet or drawer. Next, the locks are not very adaptable to the many drawer and door configurations out there for lack of a surface to mount, clearance to moving parts, or tight quarters difficulty maneuvering the drill where it needs to be. They also don't need to use these irritatingly small screws (#4's?).

When these magnetic locks work right, they are a dream. We have one on the hallway medicine cabinet that has been working flawlessly for seven years. But being the best is not always enough, and it is on installation that these stumble.

Tot-luks are wonderful, they are fairly easy to install. The hardest aspect is getting use to finding where to put the key to release the draws or cabinet doors. I like knowing that my son can not open the draw in the slightest, so there is no chance of tiny fingers get caught. I tried other latch sets, but they all seemed to allow the draw or cabinet door to open somewhat and I was afraid that those tiny fingers were going to get caught.

Tot-luks are a big topic of conversation at my house. When guest see us using the key it always springs up great conversation about the product.

I love these locks, and the fact that when baby is asleep or out of the house, you can deactivate them with a quick flick of a little switch!! (obviously, you need to remember to reactivate them, or they are useless).

I completely disagree with the "impossible to install" reviewer - they could not have been more self-explanatory! (Send those that are hanging in your garage to us - we'll use them!) We did need to use a drill, but they are far stronger than any others (especially the stick-on ones) that we tried.

You do need to have a set spot that the "key" goes after each use, or you will be frustrated and out of luck if the key is misplaced. All family members needing access to the locked cabinets must religiously return the key to its place - and the locks work like a charm!

I FOUND THESE VERY HANDY WITH MY SON WHO HAS BROKE ALL BUT TWO OF THE OLD FASHIONED STLYE LOCKS. HE JUST YANKS THE DOOR OPEN AND BREAKS THE LATCH OFF. I FOUND THEM A LITTLE HARD TO INSTALL AT FIRST BUT ONCE I FIGURED IT OUT WITH THE TEMPLATE PROVIDED THEY ARE NOT REALLY THAT HARD. I PLAN ON GETTING MORE TO REPLACE THE BROKEN ONES NOW THAT I AM PREGNANT WITH MY THIRD CHILD. WE JUST PUT THE MAGNET ON THE TOP FRONT OF THE FRIDGE SO IT DOESN'T GET LOST AND NO LITTLE HANDS (EVEN IF HE CLIMBS ON A CHAIR) CAN REACH IT.

We have several different type of locks we use to baby proof. These magnetic locks are very good about protecting little fingers and really keeping the kids out. However, we chose not to install them on all the cabinets because of the little magnetic opener. Our preschooler thinks its fun to take off with it, and if we store it somewhere out of reach, it takes way too long to open the cabinet to just get out toothpaste or whatnot. In the kitchen, you can store the opener high on the refrigerator, but again, you must retrieve it every time you want to open something.

We use these locks on some of the high-risk, low-use cabinets we have. These include cabinets that store chemicals or sharp items like knives. Overall, a good product for the right place.

I've installed these on about 9 cabinets at daycare. The first one took a while but after that the installs were quick. Installation is super easy. They provide a self stick template. First you uncover the #1 tape and stick it to the frame. Mark where the two screws go. Uncover the #2 tape and close the door. Open the door and the template is stuck to the door. Mark the 4 screw holes and the hole for the metal peg. Remove the template. Drill the hole for the metal peg. Put the lock on the door and screw it down. Install the catch on the frame. Done!

Very simple, and no problems with alignment.

Our kitchen cabinets do not have knobs or handles so the locks that attach to these were not an option. We tried the locks that pull out a little and you have to push them down to disengage them, my daughter just crushed her fingers in them trying to open the doors. We had to find some way to keep the doors and drawers completely shut so little fingers could not get hurt. These locks were definitely the answer.

We found the starter kit at a local home center and decided to give them a try. The installation instructions are not very clear but after reading them a few times we kind of figured them out. Installation is not difficult and with the provided templates went smoothly. The templates are really quite ingenious and we had no problems with aligning the locks with the catches on the frame. Be aware that you will have to drill a hole in the cabinet door from the back and at a certain depth being careful not to go all the way through the doors. There was a drill bit guide included in the package but we did not find it useful.

The locks work flawlessly, no crushed fingers, no tears and the doors stay completely shut. A small switch on each lock disables it so the cabinet works normally. The starter kit has the magnetic key but this kit does not. I'm ordering locks for the remainder of our cabinets today.

We have used these locks for 6 years and the kids still can't get into the cabinets! They are easy to install. They are easy to deactivate. We bought extra magnets (keys) and stick them near the cabinets that have the locks on them: on the fridge, on the window harware over the sink, on the screws that hold the cover plates onto the bathroom vanity outlet and/or light switch.