SeismoLatch Automatic Earthquake Activated Cabinet Latch, Brown, 10-Pack

A little difficult to install if your hand are large. But installation is doable given about an hour of concentration.The system looks like it will work very well. I tried slamming the doors repeatedly with no activation. I did manually operate one of the devices and it work very well. This is a very simple idea and it works very well. Won’t know til the next shaker how effective they truly are. But I feel confident they will do their job.

The idea for these is good, instalation is a breeze BUT, they need a fix to be great. I live in SoCal and need something that will activate in more like a 4 or 5 + event. When purchased these would activate every time a plate or bowl was set on a shelf. Very frustrating. So I tinkered around with different things to "fix" them. Here's what I finally did to make them Great. I used a file to take down the semi-circle hook stop to about 1/16", then added a small piece of adhesive backed magnetic strip to the inside back of the bracket under the semi-circle hook stop.The hood is made of an alloy that is barely magnetic so it just barely holds but it's enough. Now you have to jar the cabinet with a little force to activate the hook, not enough to move the dishware but enough that it's more then a magnitude 1 or 2. So now they are GREAT!

The system in theory is a good idea, but the implementation is flawed. The hook/catch does not sit far enough back so even the slightest bump or fast closing of the cabinet door will release it. The design needs to have the hook seat moved back a 1/16th of an inch.I have successfully modified one with a piece of cardboard between the cabinet and the rear of the top bracket to create a slight angle that resists a casual release. Any kind of earthquake should shake the house enough to overcome the slight change in the seating of the hook. A manual shake test releases the hook so I'm comfortable it will work when needed.Having installed them on 5 cabinets, I would not do so again. They lock too often by accident (although very easy to unlock). I will keep looking.

Due to the depth an extra piece of wood was needed behind the cabinet where the latch was placed. Of the 8 installed latches at least one triggers each weak requiring a stool to reach and reset the latch. Since we have not experienced an earthquake yet I can not comment on how effective the latch is during an earthquake. I would look for a different method like an ice box latch that will keep the door from opening if something pushes against the door from the inside.

Had to revise my review below, taking them down. They cannot be set to avoid false trips (almost daily) and they cannot be adjusted. Even tried shims to tilt them back a bit to make them less sensitive.They Work, they work too well, too sensitive. I installed 8 last weekend and I have had to reset 2 or 3 every day due to nuisance trips. We live on a quiet street, no heavy traffic, miles from a railroad, and not under an airport runway path. We also have soft close hinges on doors.There is no adjustment for the sensitivity so I am thinking I will try to shim on the back side to increase the tilt. Think the problem is with the design of the latch arm which is bent wire twisted to join right at the spot where the latch arm rests on the swing arm. A stamped sheet metal arm would be more accurately formed at that point.Contacted Safe-T-Latch website for suggestions - NO RESPONSE.

I've installed 30 of these latches now in two houses. The latches are high quality - I haven't had a single problem out of 30, and they install quickly and easily. The only complaint I have is about the little u-shaped foam install jigs - the two sided tape was too strong and tore up the foam pieces quickly. Fortunately I had a roll of less sticky two sided tape that let me get the job done without destroying any more of the foam pieces - I imagine making a roll of transparent 'Scotch' tape would work just as well. I haven't been through an earthquake yet, but I do sleep easier knowing that I've reduced the odds of my cabinets popping open and launching their contents if things start shaking.

Ended up splitting my cabinet frame installing 2/9 I put in as they were smaller cabinets and the latch was right next to the end of the frame wood. After the first split, I tried drilling a lead hole for the second one, but it still split. These did not engage during the couple of mid 2 mag quakes we had recently, but sometimes engage if someone slams the microwave or hits the wall nearby. Here’s to hoping they will engage for a big one before the cabinet door flings open. It’s not that big of a deal to reset them and the peace of mind I have now is well worth the time, effort, and price. I am a very novice handy-lady and if I could figure out how to install these, you can too! The instructions are easy to follow. Once you get the first one in, the rest are easy.

These things don't get in the way of normal use, but deploy to protect your contents when the quake hits. Haven't had a quake since install but am confident in the mechanism. Very easy to install, except they provide cheapo screws with no bite. I got more and did all my cupboards when I saw how well they work.If you live in a quake zone, imagine the mess when all your cupboards vomit their contents all over the floor. Then get these. Now, the doors will only open an inch. You may lose a few glasses from clacking together, but not from being tossed across the room. And you are less likely to be hit by flying plates as you cower under the kitchen counter.