Safety 1st OutSmart Lever Handle Lock
A drill free lever lock that works for toddlers, at the cost of two handed opening.
We bought Jolik Improved Childproof Door Lever Lock (4 Pack) & Handles, 3M VHB Adhesive. It's no longer documented anywhere, so this page reviews the closest well-covered match. It is an adhesive mounted child lock for lever door handles from a well known baby safety brand, with a published user guide.
The short version
- Parents of toddlers in homes with lever style interior doors
- Renters who don't want to drill into doors
- Anyone who wants to switch a lock off without removing it
- The door leads outside or is glass; the maker says not to use it there
- You need a lock you can move between doors, since the maker says it is not for reuse
- You often open doors with one hand full
What owners like
- Quick, tool free installation
- Keeps small children from opening lever doors
- The decoy button is seen as a clever touch
Common complaints
- Needing to squeeze both side buttons is awkward when in a hurry
- Removal takes work; the maker's own method is to saw through the adhesive with floss or fishing line
Based on The Safety 1st HS289 user guide, a safety retailer listing, a small set of Best Buy reviews and the Amazon product listing..
Research scores
Scored from the maker's specs and what owners report. Drew's own notes and photos will refine these.
Ownership
- 2023 (d
First bought.
Drew's hands-on notes for this product are on the way. Long-term updates will be added to this timeline.
What it does
An adhesive mounted lock that holds an interior door lever up so a young child can't open the door, with a decoy button; reviewed here in place of the Jolik 4 pack adhesive lever lock it resembles.
- Front decoy button does nothing when pushed, to draw a child's attention away from the real release
- Real release buttons sit on the sides of the pivoting lock arm
- Installs with adhesive, so no holes in the door
- Can be switched off without removing it, with a yellow indicator showing it is deactivated
- Maker gives a placement guide: about half an inch from the lever base and a quarter inch above the handle
A reasonable choice for parents who need to keep a toddler out of a room with a lever handle and don't want to drill. The trade-offs are that adults need to pinch two side buttons to open it, the adhesive needs 24 hours to set, and the maker says each lock is for one time installation only.
How it compares
Specs
- Model
- HS289
- Fits
- Most interior door lever handles, per the maker
- Mounting
- Adhesive backing, no tools; a pencil is used to mark placement
- Adhesive set time
- 24 hours before use
- Release
- Pinch the hidden buttons on both sides of the pivoting arm
- Off mode
- Push the arm down until yellow deactivated indicators show
- Pack sizes on Amazon
- 1, 2 and 4 packs
- Color
- White
Worth knowing
- Safety 1st says not to use it on exterior or glass doors.
- The maker says not to rely on it to guard toxic or dangerous substances or sharp objects; keep those out of reach.
- The maker calls it a deterrent, not a substitute for adult supervision, and says to stop using it once a child can defeat it.
- Adult installation required; the maker says it is for one time installation and not to be reused.
- For indoor home use only; don't use it if damaged, and don't let children play with it.
- Clean with a damp cloth and keep cleaning chemicals away from the adhesive, per the maker.
Questions
How do you open the Safety 1st OutSmart lever lock?
Pinch the buttons on both sides of the pivoting arm and push the arm down. The front button is a decoy and does nothing.
Can it be used on an exterior door?
No. Safety 1st says not to use it on exterior doors or glass doors.
How long before it can be used?
The maker says to wait 24 hours for the adhesive to set.
How do you remove it?
Safety 1st says to cut the adhesive with fishing line or dental floss in a sawing motion, roll off the residue, and use a hair dryer to soften it if needed.
Sources
- Safety 1st: OutSmart Lever Handle Lock HS289 User Guide
- IU Safety Store: Safety 1st Outsmart Lever Lock
- Best Buy: Customer Reviews, Safety 1st OutSmart Lever Lock White
- Amazon.com: Safety 1st OutSmart Child Proof Door Lever Lock, White, 1 Count
Researched 2026-10-02. We bought this product; our page is built from the maker's details and what owners report across reviews and forums. We never copy Amazon customer reviews.