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21 of 21 found the following review helpful:
 Highs and Lows Compared With Four Other Cabinet/Drawer Latches Jun 18, 2009
By ReviewerWhoPrefersToBeAnonymous
Magnetic cabinet/drawer locks, such as Cabinet Locks: Magnetic Tot Lok Starter Set and Adhesive Mount Magnet Lock - Starter Set, are probably the best choice for protecting children from harm. But they are somewhat expensive (at least a few dollars each), and cannot be installed on certain cabinets/drawers. So here are my observations on five press-to-open latches & catches from four manufacturers. While all are less expensive than magnetic locks, children can defeat them more easily.
Each has pluses and minuses, and you may want to buy several types for different locations in your home. Depending on the hardness of the wood or particle board of your cabinets/drawers, all may require drilling to install well. In addition, double-sided tape or tabs like Henkel HU-5 Duck Double Sided Mounting Tabs, 60-Count are helpful for temporary positioning/testing, and a short Phillips screwdriver such as found in Wilmar W80004 4 Piece Mini Stubby Screwdriver Set facilitates turning the screws on the catches when mounting in a drawer.
All the latches allow the cabinet/drawer to be opened slightly; they are listed in order from smallest to largest "allowable opening," which I'll define as the distance between the vertical plane drawn through the heads of the catch screws (to control for differences in the front-to-back thickness of the wood on which the catch is mounted) and the inside vertical part of the cabinet/drawer door.
THIS PRODUCT [Safety 1st Spring n' Release Latches (10 pk)]: Also available as Safety 1st Spring n' Release Latches (3 pk). Has a metal spring to return the latch to an "up" position, unlike others here which rely on the flexibility of the shaft to do so. Includes double-sided tabs. HIGHS: The "allowable opening" is only about 1-1/4 inches. Relatively easy to install latch because screw holes are slot-shaped (which allows for some vertical movement). LOWS: After cabinet/drawer is partially opened by child, it's possible that child can injure him/herself when attempting to reclose it. After cabinet/drawer is fully opened, probably need to press down on latch to close depending on how precisely it was installed. Must unscrew latch to disable it.
American Red Cross Ultra Strong Metal Safety Cabinet Latch - 4 pack: The catch consists of a single screw installed at an angle, unlike the others here which have plastic catches with two screws. HIGHS: The "allowable opening" is only about 1-1/2 inches. Made of stainless steel, which is probably more durable than the plastic construction of other latches here. LOWS: Slightly difficult to install latch because screw holes are round (not slot-shaped). After cabinet/drawer is partially opened by child, it's possible that child can injure him/herself when attempting to reclose it. After cabinet/drawer is fully opened, probably need to press down on latch to close. Although end of latch has plastic protector, the sides are somewhat sharp. Must unscrew latch to disable it.
KidCo Swivel Cabinet & Drawer Lock 4ea: This is in the middle of the pack in having an "allowable opening" of 1-3/4 inches. HIGHS: Relatively easy to install latch and catch because screw holes are slot-shaped. Latch can be temporarily disengaged by twisting it 90 degrees (I see no purpose to turning it 180 degrees as in the manufacturer's photo). LOWS: After cabinet/drawer is partially opened by child, it's possible that child can injure him/herself when attempting to reclose it. After cabinet/drawer is fully opened, probably need to press down on latch to close (even though instructions say "automatically locks when closed").
Safe Lok Cabinet and Drawer Locks (6 pack) with Temporary Disable Feature by Mommy's Helper: Plastic catch is 7/8" in height, unlike other plastic catches here which are <3/8" in height. HIGHS: Relatively easy to install latch and catch because screw holes are slot-shaped and because mounting template is provided for latch. After cabinet/drawer is partially opened by child, latch holds the door in open position, thus preventing injury upon reclosing door. (To unlatch, you have to push the door slightly in while pushing down on the latch, then pull the door.) After cabinet/drawer is fully opened, can close it without pressing on latch. Latch can be temporarily disabled by sliding it upwards from its bracket (alternatively, latch can be "permanently" installed without the bracket). LOWS: I was unable to confirm claim on front of package "allows cabinets and drawers to open only one inch"; each time I installed it, there was an "allowable opening" (as defined above) of 2", tied for the most in this group.
SAFETY 1st 14 Pack Wide Grip Latch: Also available as Safety 1st Wide Grip Latches (7 pk). Includes double-sided tabs. HIGHS: Relatively easy to install latch because screw holes are slot-shaped. After cabinet/drawer is fully opened, can close it without pressing on latch. LOWS: The "allowable opening" is about 2 inches. After cabinet/drawer is partially opened by child, it's possible that child can injure him/herself when attempting to reclose it. Must unscrew latch to disable it.
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12 of 13 found the following review helpful:
 Unrefined Design Jun 06, 2010
By M. Smith
feedback I sent Saftey 1st:
I recently bought your "spring 'n release latches" and I feel compelled to inform you that the design is so thoughtless that is makes me doubt all of your other products.
The design consists of a spring loaded plastic injected "latch" that interfaces with a plastic injected "catch". A sloped surface on the latch is suppose to make contact with the catch causing the latch to deflect downward until it fully passes the catch as the door is completely closed. Once past the catch, the latch's spring pushes the latch into the upward position. Unless a user pushes the latch down the catch will keep the door from opening.
What is beyond comprehension about this design is that the catch does not have adequate sloping on the surface that is interfaced by the latch as the door is being closed from the full open position. What this results in is a very minute adjustment range that does not either cause the latch to crash into the catch and prevent door closure or or the latch being adjusted so low that the catch does not retain the door when a child attempts to open. After installing three of these assemblies and having to precisely tweak each latch to the perfect height to keep it from either not closing or not latching, I decided to remove all of your product and return to the store. I have serious doubts about them staying in proper adjustment for the years I intend to need them.
As a mechanical engineer with many years of design experience, my only guess is that you had a summer intern design this product and then failed to do any testing or installation verification.
There appears to be no reason why the ramping surface of the catch should have a near vertical face and then transition into only a short ramping region. Consider redesigning the catch so the latch can not crash to a dead stop and prevent door closure. This could be accomplished by removing most of the vertical surface on the catch where the latch is suppose to touch and bend down. This will make installation many times easier as well as reduce the need for readjustments and replacements later. From my estimate of installing three there appears to be less than a 1/16 of an inch in latch elevation that does not cause either no close or no lock.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Horrible Jan 16, 2012
By Duff
I agree with the other reviewers that feel this is a poorly designed and inferior product. I just did my bathroom, and it took longer than doing my entire kitchen with the "wide latches" (which are wonderful). The design is poor and installation is tedious. There is one sweet spot where it actually works. If the latch is too low it will not engage, too high and it hits the locking bracket on the cabinet and the door will not close. Plus, if you give it a good yank, which my son does, IT ACTUALLY OPENS! Horrible, just horrible. I will leave these in place until I can get down and pick up the less expensive wide latch version, which works great. Don't buy, I am so frustrated after putting in 4 that it actually drove me to write this.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Terrible Design, Doesn't Work Jan 09, 2012
By Annie Wasenmiller
If you're a first time parent and think that baby latches are created equal, or "how can you screw up a latch?" Think again...
As the other reviewers note, there is <1mm tolerance between "won't close" and "won't catch" and I spent all evening tonight trying to get four to work. Also, other similar products don't require a top catch, which is a waste of time, since catching the frame directly is more efficient, 1/2 the time to install and puts fewer permanant holes in your cabinets. They include "double-sided" tape to try to help you, but that doesn't stick.
I consider myself reasonably handy, and had a drill and impact driver with built-in lights set up for the job, but gave up after 4 of 10 in the pack. Oh- and how are you supposed to install the catch piece in a shallow drawer? Impossible. Come on, guys...really?
Reading the other "one star" ratings here was therapeutic, thanks to the other frustrated dads here for returning my sanity...
 A mixed bag May 03, 2012
By Rob M
The catches are poorly designed with a large flat surface that prevents the latch from sliding over it unless the mounted with very precise alignment. Once aligned, the latches do work well. I found that mounting the catches so they weren't perpendicular helped.
A better solution (assuming you want to give the Safety 1st company more money) is to use the sloped catches from Safety 1st 14 Pack Wide Grip Latches. Disappointing that the same company wouldn't use these sloped catches with the better spring latches.
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