Portable door locks and child safety locks aren’t locks that are generally sold and installed by locksmiths, but they are an important part of personal security that homeowners shouldn’t overlook.
As locksmiths, overall safety is our primary concern and we like to share helpful information that can make a difference.
In 2020 there were nearly 3 million emergency department visits for non-fatal injuries among children ages 1-14, with falls being the leading cause of injury for visits between 2019 and 2020.1 Having the proper lock on a cabinet or a gate leading down the stairs is a safeguard in preventing falls for children.
As your child ages and goes off to college, having a portable door lock in their dorm room can prevent burglaries and assaults. A portable door lock can also be a valuable item to have when traveling.
Child Safety Locks
Child safety locks or latches essentially prevent your baby or toddler from being able to access things that may cause them harm in cabinets, drawers or even appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines and microwaves.
The locks you choose should be easy for an adult to open, but impossible for a child to open.
If the locks are cumbersome for an adult to use, especially in a high traffic area, there will be a tendency to not engage the lock and that defeats the purpose of a child safety lock. There are generally two types of child safety locks — internal and external.
External locks are applied to a cabinet handle and latch onto an adjacent cabinet handle. They don’t work on drawers or most appliances if they are U-shaped or of the latch style. External adhesive locks work better on appliances and toilet lids.2
Internal child safety locks have the distinct advantage of not being seen, and thus, not being the focal point of a beautiful cabinet or appliance. Internal child proof cabinet locks are applied with adhesive or screwed in the inside of a cabinet and unlocked by pressing a button or lever or by the touch of a magnetic key.
The magnetic key can be a deterrent as it can be lost, or a child may find and swallow it.
The button or lever locks can also be problematic. For these locks to work the door or drawer has to be open a bit for the adult to be able to press the button or lever. Kids can learn how to open these types of locks and may pinch their fingers in the door or drawer while trying to do so.
Whether you choose internal or external safety child safety locks it is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to install the locks.
Portable Door Locks
Portable door locks can be a life-saving item, or at the very least, can provide peace of mind when in a situation where there is the chance of entry by an unwanted intruder. Portable door locks are ideal for campus dorm rooms, apartments, vacation rental homes and hotels and motels.
They are especially useful when you are staying in a place, such as a vacation rental home, where multiple people, from the owner to the cleaner to the guests who stayed in the home prior to your stay, may have the combination to the lock or a copy of the door key.
Portable door locks are designed to keep unwanted guests out even if they have a key.3 These devices are small enough to carry in a pocket, purse or backpack and can be installed and removed in seconds without any tools. Portable door locks on Amazon.com range from $9 to $30.4 You can also purchase a door stop alarm which slides underneath the door and makes it difficult for the door to be opened. When the door is opened it engages the built-in high-decibel alarm, which can usually be controlled by an on/off switch.
Locksmith Services for Optimal Safety
Action Locksmith in Southeastern Michigan provides dependable, friendly and efficient locksmith services to homes and businesses in the tri-county area. Able to take on any door lock or security issue is part of our dedication to the skill and service we provide.
Let us know how we can help, and we’ll provide a plan of action that caters to the security needs of your home or business. From re-keying and lock repair to door installation, keyless entry and code upgrades we are the ideal locksmith company to call!
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1 Child Injury and Mortality
Link: https://www.childstats.gov/americaschildren/phys7.asp
2 9 Best Childproof Cabinets Locks to Buy, 8/27/2020
Link: https://www.pampers.com/en-us/best-baby-products/health-safety/best-child-locks_10
3 The 10 Best Portable Door Locks to Protect You and Your Stuff by Camryn Rabideau, 8/17/2022
Link: https://www.popularmechanics.com/home/tools/g40897322/best-portable-door-locks/
4 Portable Door Locks
Link: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=portable+door+locks+for+hotel+rooms&crid=33FTESPTDWWW1&sprefix=portable+door+locks%2Caps%2C273&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_2_19