child proofing pvc front door
Discussion
I need to work out how to child proof my front door. It's a uPVC door, standard type handle and no other means of locking it other than with a key. There is no chain or the like on the door.
We had some friends over at the weekend who have a toddler that is a few weeks older than my son, and a bit taller, and she could open the front door. Obviously, this is not a good thing!
Can I simply fit a chain to the door? Do I need specific types for a uPVC door? I'd like to do this to help the security on the door as well, but have never had a uPVC door before (it was already fitted when we bought the place) so not sure what the best thing to do is. Don't really want to replace the door as we plan on building a porch at some time in the next few years.
We had some friends over at the weekend who have a toddler that is a few weeks older than my son, and a bit taller, and she could open the front door. Obviously, this is not a good thing!
Can I simply fit a chain to the door? Do I need specific types for a uPVC door? I'd like to do this to help the security on the door as well, but have never had a uPVC door before (it was already fitted when we bought the place) so not sure what the best thing to do is. Don't really want to replace the door as we plan on building a porch at some time in the next few years.
He also has a key fascination...
I'm happy to lock up but wife doesn't like having it locked all the time as she doesn't like the thought of if there is a fire trying to find keys etc to unlock the door, which I can understand.
So will any type of self tapping screw work? That could well be the best option!
I'm happy to lock up but wife doesn't like having it locked all the time as she doesn't like the thought of if there is a fire trying to find keys etc to unlock the door, which I can understand.
So will any type of self tapping screw work? That could well be the best option!
Bear in mind, if it's a multi-point locking door, ie the handle operates a locking pin towards the top and the bottom of the door, make sure you dont screw into these mechanisms.
The only other problem with a chain, is anyone else coming home with a key can't get in!
As said, best option is to lock it and keep a key on a hook out of reach and out of sight from someone looking through the door glass/letterbox.
This will work as long as he doen't have a step-ladder fascination aswell!
The only other problem with a chain, is anyone else coming home with a key can't get in!
As said, best option is to lock it and keep a key on a hook out of reach and out of sight from someone looking through the door glass/letterbox.
This will work as long as he doen't have a step-ladder fascination aswell!
The title reminded me of my youngest. A couple of years ago when he was 2 he did a golf swing with his real club (not plastic unfortunately...) & stuck the club into the inside of the PVC door - was planning to get a new one in time but this sped things up !
A chain will be the best but then they will drag a box, chair, etc to stand on come time to reach it!
A chain will be the best but then they will drag a box, chair, etc to stand on come time to reach it!
Cheers guys, will have a look into the chain option and convince my wife about locking it as well. Might look into hiding a spare key in the cupboard in the hall as well, out of the way so nobody can get at it.
It's a short term fix really, by the time he's into dragging chairs to get up to it (which you would hope my wife and I might notice him doing!) you would hope he'll know right and wrong enough not to go out the front. I await to be stood corrected however!
It's a short term fix really, by the time he's into dragging chairs to get up to it (which you would hope my wife and I might notice him doing!) you would hope he'll know right and wrong enough not to go out the front. I await to be stood corrected however!
Dunno which is worse a wife you can't train to lock a door or a kiddie you can't train to not open a door. Personally I blame the father but.,.................
How about locking the door and putting a key on a lanyard that SWMBO can wear around her neck? Then she's got access to the key at all times and might allay her paranoia. BTW how many house fires has she been in?
How about locking the door and putting a key on a lanyard that SWMBO can wear around her neck? Then she's got access to the key at all times and might allay her paranoia. BTW how many house fires has she been in?
ColinM50 said:
Dunno which is worse a wife you can't train to lock a door or a kiddie you can't train to not open a door. Personally I blame the father but.,.................
How about locking the door and putting a key on a lanyard that SWMBO can wear around her neck? Then she's got access to the key at all times and might allay her paranoia. BTW how many house fires has she been in?
Indeed, I'll take all the blame! The wee one is still to small to know any better, he's at the age of exploring but not quite knowing what's right and wrong. He wants to go out the front as that's where my car is and he loves being in the car (makes car noises all the time - I've taught him that much well!)How about locking the door and putting a key on a lanyard that SWMBO can wear around her neck? Then she's got access to the key at all times and might allay her paranoia. BTW how many house fires has she been in?
I think we'll be fine with a key in the cupboard and a chain as she's not that bad, just one of these weird foibles about being trapped in a burning building. And to answer the fire question, none, but I can understand where she's coming from. After 8 years of being together, it's the only thing I've thought she's a bit bonkers about, so if that's the extent of it, I'll take that ;-)
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