Childproofing Doors?

[SweetErika]

Apparently, our 16-month-old son can now reach and open some doors. I haven't seen it at our house yet, but he was able to open the interior door to my mom's garage yesterday, so we need to institute some childproofing at both homes.

My mom has some arthritis in her hands, so I don't think the standard grip-and-twist knob covers will work for her, nor will she want to install anything that requires a drill.

For our house, the grip-and-twist ones will probably work, but there are a bunch of choices, and I'd like to invest in products that will keep him out of certain rooms (while allowing us easy access) for quite sometime.

Any ideas?

 

[bailadora]

If you have lever type handles, these work really well. We used them up until a couple of years ago to keep our youngest out of her brother's and sister's rooms, while still allowing them easy access to their own space.

I've never used these, so I can't vouch for them personally, but they look like they would be fairly easy to use, even for someone with arthritis, so they might be a solution for your mom's house. No drill required.

 

[SweetErika]

If you have lever type handles, these work really well. We used them up until a couple of years ago to keep our youngest out of her brother's and sister's rooms, while still allowing them easy access to their own space.

I've never used these, so I can't vouch for them personally, but they look like they would be fairly easy to use, even for someone with arthritis, so they might be a solution for your mom's house. No drill required.

Nope, we both have regular doorknobs.

That Door Monkey looks kind of expensive, but good, and I like the completely adjustable height. We may get one for our room, since it tends to get stuffy and really cold in the winter with the door totally closed. I think we can manage with less expensive gadgets on most of the other doors (we have 4-5 others we keep closed at this point). One or two could be a good solution for my my mom, too. Fortunately, the door to our garage has a deadbolt that should stymie the munchkin for a while longer, but I don't recall if my mom has a deadbolt on hers.

 

[NippleMuncher]

Slide bolts, door limiters or flip locks would work well for mom's place. They are all very easy to install an only have to be used when the critter is around.

http://www.hardwarestore.com/media/product/504864_front200.jpg

http://www.homesecurityinformation.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/door-limiter-lock.jpg

http://fcla.net/images/flip_lock.jpg

For you the knob style lockouts would probably be the best.

FWIW, it is better to house proof the child than to child proof the house. House proofing the child means teaching them that it's not ok for them to get into cabinets or open doors without permission or supervision. Once this is done the child will be safe in ANY house without the need to install locks on every moving item. My mother raised three kids this way with not one mishap and it's what I did with my daughter.

 

[SweetErika]

FWIW, it is better to house proof the child than to child proof the house. House proofing the child means teaching them that it's not ok for them to get into cabinets or open doors without permission or supervision. Once this is done the child will be safe in ANY house without the need to install locks on every moving item. My mother raised three kids this way with not one mishap and it's what I did with my daughter.

I totally agree. It's just at this point the kidlet has trouble understanding most consequences, he's clumsy and prone to getting himself into trouble. Like going out into the garage at my mom's wouldn't be an issue, but there are a couple of stairs that he's likely to fall down, or he may very well get his fingers crushed in the heavy door while he's working his way out. And I just had to install a toilet lock because he's fascinated with water and we try to make the toilet a fun place for potty training purposes, yet he doesn't quite get dirty vs. clean water right now, no matter how many times and ways we explain he can't drink and play in ALL water.

Basically, he's too freaking big and strong physically for his own good (he's as tall as most of his 2+ year old buddies), and while he's well ahead of the curve cognitively and socially, he's still immature (and independent and mischievous) enough to put himself and our stuff in serious danger. He's learning about rules and consequences little by little, but some physical measures are in order until his brain catches up with his body more. That's what I try to remember, at least; it's so easy to see all he can do and forget that he doesn't yet grasp X, Y or Z!

 

[bailadora]

I totally agree. It's just at this point the kidlet has trouble understanding most consequences.....

Even when they DO understand the consequences, sometimes the kid figures the fun is worth the trouble he or she will get into. My youngest is the kind of kid who will look you, smile and do exactly what you just told her not to do. She's gonna run my husband and I a merry race.

 

[NippleMuncher]

I totally agree. It's just at this point the kidlet has trouble understanding most consequences, he's clumsy and prone to getting himself into trouble.

Did I say it was going to be easy? (I'm teasing )

I know it's tough and am in no means questioning your methods or abilities.

 

[SweetErika]

Even when they DO understand the consequences, sometimes the kid figures the fun is worth the trouble he or she will get into. My youngest is the kind of kid who will look you, smile and do exactly what you just told her not to do. She's gonna run my husband and I a merry race.

Yep, we have one of those too, and he's got a bit of a sadistic streak (with us, at least). Needless to say, I'm always trying to figure out ways to make things 'his' idea and have him "help" us.

 

[SweetErika]

Did I say it was going to be easy? (I'm teasing )

I know it's tough and am in no means questioning your methods or abilities.

I took it in the spirit you intended. I was just trying to explain where he is at this point; like I said, it's easy for even us to forget.

 

[Boundlife]

Even when they DO understand the consequences, sometimes the kid figures the fun is worth the trouble he or she will get into. My youngest is the kind of kid who will look you, smile and do exactly what you just told her not to do. She's gonna run my husband and I a merry race.

Well Duh! Parents hide the fun stuff (glitter, knives, chocolate chips)

I seems mean in a way, they work so hard learning to open doors only to be blocked. Then reality hits you.

 

[NippleMuncher]

I took it in the spirit you intended. I was just trying to explain where he is at this point; like I said, it's easy for even us to forget.

Good, 'cause I wouldn't want you to say that I need a spanking in front of Bailadora!

 

[unregistered]