Children are curious creatures—that’s why you can always see them exploring their surroundings. However, young children also mostly don’t understand boundaries when exploring, and that can endanger them. For instance, it isn’t uncommon for toddlers and young children to run through their home’s front door, trip, and become injured.
As a matter of fact, driveway injuries are rather common among unattended children. So, how can you prevent this from happening to your child? Obviously, keep your eyes on your child, and don’t let them exit your home without you. However, you’re just a human – mistakes and short moments of carelessness can happen to everyone.
That’s why you need to childproof your front door – to keep your child inside, even if you are currently too busy to watch over them. Let us help you with the whole childproofing process…
Assess Your Door For Optimal Childproofing Method
First of all, let’s identify potential safety risks when it comes to your front door and the door lock. Apart from walking through them onto the dangerous streets, your child might also pinch their fingers between the door and the doorway or bump their head while opening the door. A good childproofing method should also address that.
Additionally, before choosing a perfect childproofing method, you need to think about your front door, its layout, and its design. For example, does your front door open inward or outward? Or is it a sliding door type? Does it have a knob or lever door handle? Also, what kind of a lock is on your front door? Standard, smart, or deadbolt?
This might seem like a lot of unnecessary questions, but different door and lock types require different childproofing methods. A childproofing method that worked perfectly on one door type might be completely useless on another door type.
Ways to Childproof Your Front Door
Now that you have carefully inspected your door let’s take a look at different childproofing methods you can try!
Door Lever Locks
If your door has a lever door handle, then these door lever locks are your go-to solution. These lever locks are usually installed just below or around your door handle, and they prevent your child from pulling down the door handle and opening the door. They are also easy to install, which is another great thing about these lever locks.
If you are thinking about buying these lever locks, Amazon has some great options:
- Child Safety by TuutDoor Lever Lock (2 Pack)
- Wappa Door Lever Lock (2 Pack)
- Erockbuy Childproof Door Lever Lock (3-Pack)
Door Knob Covers For Round Handles
On the other side, if you have a knob door handle on your front door, you should get a door knob cover. These knob covers make it difficult for children to get a good grip on the knob and turn it, while adults can still use the knob handle with ease. They are also easy to install and quite affordable, as you can see from these Amazon options:
- Jool Baby Door Knob Covers (4 Pack)
- GRENFU Door Knob Safety Cover for Kids (4 Pack)
- BETERTEK Door Knob Safety Cover for Kids (4 Pack)
Patio Bolts At The Top Of The Door
These patio bolts are mounted at the top of the door frame, which means your child won’t be able to reach them. Unless you remove the bolt, your child won’t be able to open the door, regardless of whether it’s an inward/outward opening or a sliding door. Here is one example of such a patio bolt that goes on top of your front door.
Install a Second Deadbolt Higher Up
If your front door doesn’t have a deadbolt, you should consider buying and installing it, but high enough that your child can’t reach it. However, even if your door already has one deadbolt, there is no reason why you shouldn’t install the second one if the one you already have is too low and within your child’s reach.
Use a Baby Gate
In some cases, you can simply use a baby gate instead of modifying your front door and installing various childproofing devices on it. For example, if there is a hallway near your front door, you can simply place a baby gate there. Without being able to enter the hallway, your child won’t be able to reach the front door.
There are several different types of baby gates you can use, and here are our Amazon picks:
- Summer Infant Modern Home Walk-Thru Safety Pet and Baby Gate
- Evenflo Expansion Walk Thru Room Divider Gate
- Regalo Easy Step 38.5 Inch Wide Walk Thru Baby Gate
Install a Door Strap
If your door is opening outward/externally, you can also use door straps. These straps are either plastic or made from a strong fabric. When installed, they prevent your child from opening the front door wide enough to go through them. Here are some good door straps from Amazon:
Why Stop At Only One Method To Secure Your Front Door?
This might sound crazy and paranoid, but you can never be too safe. If you aren’t certain that one childproofing method will be enough to stop your kid from opening the front door, you can always combine two or more childproofing methods. For example, you can install a second deadbolt and a door knob cover. If one method fails somehow, the second will not.
Secure Your Front Door
Exploring the world around them is crucial for your child’s development. However, while they are still too little to understand certain dangers, you need to protect them in the best way possible. One important aspect of your child’s safety is preventing them from running out of your home unattended.
That’s why childproofing your front door should be your top priority as soon as your child starts to crawl and walk. Inspect your front door and choose between several childproofing methods from this article. We even included some links to make the search for a suitable childproofing product a bit easier for you!
Finally, teach your child from a young age that they should never leave the house without you or play with the door. Educating your little one is just as important a safety measure as installing deadbolts, baby gates, and knob covers!
Be aware, and stay safe!
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