From choking hazards and sharp objects to slips and falls, it’s safe to say that most nurseries have their fair share of health and safety risks. It’s only natural that curious children in nurseries might accidentally hurt themselves as they start exploring the world around them, which is why childcare staff are always vigilant when it comes to keeping little ones safe, often from themselves!
That said, even the most cautious of nursery staff have their limitations, as keeping a constant lookout on dozens of excited babies and toddlers is easier said than done! To help ease the burden, it’s a good idea to install child cupboard locks, which can give childcare staff one less thing to worry about, allowing them to focus on keeping the little ones safe.
But with so many baby cupboard locks to choose from, knowing where to get started can be challenging. To help guide you toward the right solution, we’ve spoken with Locks & Handles for some insight into the best cupboard locks for baby safety in nurseries!
Why Child Cupboard Locks Matter in Nurseries
Caring for lots of children in a nursery is busy work, with staff using a wide range of supplies, ranging from food and utensils to cleaning materials and equipment. These supplies are often stored inside cupboards to keep them out of reach of the children. Of course, toddlers love to explore their surroundings, meaning there is always a risk of them accessing cupboards stored with potentially dangerous objects.
If they can handle heavy objects from a cupboard above their head, then it might fall out and cause an injury. They could access sharp objects like knives or scissors, not to mention all kinds of small objects that are possible choking hazards. Add in the various hazardous cleaning substances and materials, and it becomes clear why child cupboard locks are essential for every nursery!
Even if staff are constantly supervising children, nurseries are chaotic environments where distractions come thick and fast. All it takes is a few seconds for an unsupervised child to hurt themselves or others rummaging around in a cupboard, which is why installing child cupboard locks is so important.
With the suitable child locks for cupboards installed, young kids will find it almost impossible to access storage areas with potentially dangerous objects and materials. This helps to keep children safe from themselves while allowing nursery staff to focus on delivering the best care possible.
Best Lock Types for Nursery Cupboards
There are lots of cupboard locks available, so finding the right safety solution to keep the little ones safe shouldn’t be too challenging.
Baby cupboard locks like latch locks are a great choice for nurseries as they’re secure and easy to install. Latch locks are fitted inside the cupboard to prevent it from opening too wide, making it hard for little hands to grab anything. They can only be released by pushing a button that is difficult for kids to reach, preventing them from getting inside.
Slide locks are a great cupboard lock for baby safety in a nursery, as they’re incredibly difficult to open. They’re fitted directly onto cupboards with side-by-side handles or knobs, clicking into place to keep them shut, and can only be opened by pressing a button, which is difficult for younger children. Because the locks simply slip onto the cupboard handles, there is no installation needed, so they won’t damage the furniture, and they can be easily moved around the nursery to different cupboards if needed.
Adhesive locks are another great pick for childproofing cupboards in nurseries thanks to their simple installation. To use the locks, staff just need to stick them onto the surface of the cupboard. As there is no drilling or screwing required, the locks won’t cause any damage to the furniture. They’re typically operated by pressing a button to prevent children from accessing cupboards for improved safety.
Magnetic locks are one of the strongest, most secure child cupboard locks available, so they can prevent children of all ages from accessing nursery storage spaces. The locks keep cabinets securely in place using a strong magnetic lock, which can only be unlocked with a magnetic key held by staff. Their robust security makes them ideal for storage areas with high-risk materials, like cleaning supplies or sharp objects, that could be harmful in the hands of children.
Conclusion: Lock Picks for Peace of Mind
With their ability to limit the risk of kids getting their hands on dangerous objects and hurting themselves, cupboard child locks are a worthwhile addition for any nursery. Whether it’s adhesive locks, magnetic locks, or latch locks, cupboard locks that are easy to install make life easier for childcare staff by keeping children out of potentially dangerous storage areas that are common in most nurseries.
