Close up on child proof cabinet latch and knob on far right
What You Need To Know
- Worried about protecting your children at daycare? Start by upgrading to child cupboard locks
- Child-friendly cupboard locks ensure safety for the children, but also compliance with regulations
- You have ample choice; magnetic locks, baby-proof latches & keyed locks are ideal to start with
- Pick lock solutions that provide the right balance between regulation, safety and convenience
As someone in the daycare industry, you know how challenging it can be to keep the kids safe. Children are, by their nature, exploratory; they don’t mind putting themselves out there and taking risks. That can sometimes put them in harm’s way, which is why investing in cupboard locks for children is essential.
Of course, there are various types of cupboard locks out there. Deciphering what is best for your home can be challenging, which is why we reached out to ironmongery experts Locks & Hardware for insight. As experts in all things related to door furniture and lock security, we wanted their opinion: what are the best baby cupboard locks? How can you make sure your home daycare is compliant, safe and convenient for all?
Safety Compliance: This Is A Non-Negotiable In Daycare
When parents use your daycare service, they do so to help their children enjoy a comfy day. However, they also do so because they want to put their children in a space where they are looked after by professionals who know how to keep children safe.
Please look into safety compliance regulations from your local council. While the UK government has broad regulations on these factors, some councils – and regions of the UK – can have their own requirements. It’s essential to ensure you comply with all required regulations.
Getting Started With Safety Compliance
The first place we recommend you start is the Gov UK Statutory Guidance. The linked guide here is a great place to begin, providing a rough starting point for childminders, home daycare facilities, and more. Again, please take the time to review the requirements with your local council.
Remember: adhering to all regulations is part of running a daycare facility. If you fall afoul of any of these regulations, it could put your business in jeopardy.
Worse, it could put children’s health at needless risk; ensuring you are fully compliant is essential to your long-term work in the field.
Of course, one obvious starting place is safety at home. You might already have door chains on your entrances, and you may already have corner smoothers on furniture and cabinetry. Still, it’s essential that you also ensure you have suitable child-proof cupboard locks fitted to every cupboard in your home.
The Best Daycare Lock Options For Ensuring Child Safety
What are the best options, though? The market is saturated with child locks for cupboards. Where should you start?
Magnetic Locks: Easy Adult Access Whilst Protecting Children
The first place to start is with magnetic cupboard locks for children. These are very effective as a child would be highly unlikely to have the physical strength required to force the lock open. At the same time, these magnetic locks also ensure that doors close without slamming.
That means that if children are in the cupboard (with permission), they won’t get their little hands jammed in the door when it swings shut. Magnetic locks are low-maintenance, easy to conceal – meaning they don’t become an eyesore – and very easy to disable (for adults) using a specific device.
Some magnetic locks are turned off with a little push button that can be concealed to stop children from finding it. Or, you can find magnetic locks that have a magnetic key that turns off the magnet temporarily. They work great when you need quick access to cupboards but want to keep the kids out.
Baby-Proof Latches: Perfect For Lower Cupboards
Since you are operating a home daycare facility, you’ll likely have standard storage space. That means likely storing things in cupboards underneath the sink, for example. Like most homes, you probably keep cleaning materials – detergents, soaps, bleaches, etc. – in easy-to-locate cupboards.
That’s absolutely fine – but you always run the risk of children getting into the lower cupboards. If you fit baby-proof latches onto these cupboard doors, though, the youngest kids in your daycare will not be able to pop them open. For older children, it is clear that they should not touch these latch locks.
For toddlers and babies, though, baby-proof latches work extremely well. That can stop them from being able to pop the door open and get into whatever you keep in here. These are not only for your cleaning cupboards, though; they could be for where you store cutlery, tableware, glasses, or other often-used items.
Keyed Locks: Ideal For Medicines & High-Value Items
In your home, you’ll likely have a place where you store very important objects. That could be anything from a piece of cleaning equipment, like a hoover, to a medicine storage cabinet for yourself or the kids. Either way, these must remain locked at all times and opened only when needed.
That’s why it’s recommended you fit keyed locks to these doors. Keyed child cupboard locks are a great way to stop the kids from getting into areas where there is a significant risk to their well-being. If a child were to ingest chemicals or medicines, or something they are allergic to, it could be catastrophic for all.
The same goes for high-value items and equipment you want to keep safe. Children are naturally going to explore, and they could accidentally damage equipment or pull it down on themselves, posing a high risk of physical injury. Why take the risk? Keyed locks are the perfect antidote to this.
There Is No Universal Answer To Child Cupboard Locks
Hopefully, the above trio of lock types gives you a good place to start when looking at potential child locks for cupboards. These are highly suitable, adaptable and versatile lock types ideal for daycare.
By fitting a combination of these lock types to every cupboard in your home, you ensure you are more likely to comply with regulations. At the same time, you can ensure a higher level of safety, making parents feel comfortable leaving their children in your daycare facility regularly.
At the same time, though, none of these lock types will necessarily make your life more challenging. They are here to prevent children from getting in, not to stop you. These provide convenient access to each space when you need to get in, but stop wandering hands and adventurous kids from being put at risk.
Write and Win: Participate in Creative writing Contest & International Essay Contest and win fabulous prizes.
About the Author
