Safety First Child Lock Recall Issued Due To Reported Failures, Injuries

Nearly 1 million Safety 1st Push ‘N Snap Cabinet Locks sold by Dorel have been recalled, because they may not actually keep young children from reaching potentially dangerous items stored in the cabinets they are designed to lock. 

The child safety lock recall was announced by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on March 22, after Dorel Juvenile Group (DJG) Inc. received at least 200 complaints that the locks failed to keep children out of cabinets.

According to parent reports to Dorel, 140 children between the ages of 9 months and 5 years were able to open the locks and get into cabinets that often held dangerous chemicals and materials. At least three of the incidents resulted in children being treated at emergency treatment centers after gaining access to, handling or swallowing dishwashing detergent, window cleaner and oven cleaner.

The CPSC has determined that the locks pose the risk of injury by allowing children access to dangerous or unsafe items, resulting in the recall of about 900,000 Safety 1st Push ‘N Snap cabinet locks with model numbers 48391 and 48442. The model numbers are located on the back of the locks and on the backs of the packaging.

The locks have two straps that wrap around handles or knobs of cabinets and a green triangle shows through a small window when they are in the “lock” setting. A Safety 1st logo is printed on the front and the date of manufacture embossed on the back. The locks were manufactured between January 2004 and November 2010.

The recalled child safety locks were sold at Bed Bath & Beyond, as well as other retail stores, nationwide, and online at Amazon.com from January 2004 through February 2012 for between $2 and $4.

The CPSC recommends that consumers immediately remove the locks from cabinets and contact DJG for free replacement child safety locks with model numbers HS158 or HS159. While the locks are removed consumers should store all dangerous materials and chemicals out of reach of children. Consumers with questions can call DJG at (866) 762-3212, or visit the company’s website at www.djgusa.com.