Door lock for person with claustrophobia?

[SeekingClosure]

I need a lock for my bathroom door but I am scared that it will break and lock me in. It's a windowless room which makes the fear worse. Is there a kind of lock that can't malfunction? I like those large latch type locks that are usually on disabled toilets but can't find them online as I'm unsure of their name. I tried using a wedge under the door but it didn't work as there isn't enough gap under it.

Any ideas?

Why do you need a lock? We have a system in our house, if the door is shut there's someone in there, if it's ajar then it's free.

That system is supposed to be in place in our bathroom too - I even have a sign that says 'engaged' if you turn it round - but sometimes people forget and open the door. And once is too many times if it's me naked in the shower and my adult DS should walk in! We would both be mortified. And I can't relax when I'm in there as I'm always primed to grab a towel.

How about one of those hooks that you swing around into a hoop?

Just get one of those basic slide across ones which fix to the door and frame? No way can you lock yourself in but enough to stop someone getting in

What about a hook and eye type lock? Or chain type that you can get on front door doesn't fully lock the door but with stop someone walking in unexpected.

@SeekingClosure Try Googling 'bathroom door latch' I think these would be quite safe from malfunctioning.

I prefer locks which can be opened from the outside.

Just a very basic £2 bolt that slides across. Then you can see clearly that you have locked it but equally even if the lock did malfunction they're flimsy enough that a very firm shove of the door would just break the lock so you'd never be stuck in there.

I agree with weebeasties - hook and eye type lock. I can't imagine a scenario when that would ever get stuck. Could you keep a screwdriver somewhere in the bathroom as a fall back just in case? Then even if it did get stuck you'd know you could just take it off the door for more peace of mind

What about a door chain?

www.diy.com/departments/doors-windows/door-locks-latches/door-chains/DIY1150056.cat

Yes one of those hook ones would be perfect, but I don't know how to search for it! All I keep getting are the kind that can break and lock you in. Those slide across ones are no good, I've had one like that that broke.

Following on from the £2 lock suggestion above, get one of them and keep a small screw driver hidden somewhere in the bathroom so you know if the worst did happen, you could get out with just undoing a couple of screws.

We have only just got a lock (our kids are now adults!) if it worries you this is the best option. Our lock can be released from the outside in emergency, as long as you take your phone into the bathroom you can call for help (and don't lock if you are the only one in the house)

We use half of an old wooden clothes-peg with a nail through the middle of it on the doorframe, loose enough to swivel.

Just go for a hook n eye. It'll have the 'give' to stop someone but are flimsy enough to force if you need it.

BlankTimes

We use half of an old wooden clothes-peg with a nail through the middle of it on the doorframe, loose enough to swivel

What a blumming good idea!

Guess what I'm doing tomorrow

www.screwfix.com/c/security-ironmongery/cabin-hooks/cat840262

m.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_osacat=0&_odkw=hook+and+eye&_from=R40&_trksid=p2334524.m4084.l1311.R4.TR12.TRC2.A0.H0.Xhook+and+eye.TRS0&_nkw=hook+and+eye+latch&_sacat=0

www.wilko.com/en-uk/garden-outdoor-living/garden-security-maintenance/gate-fittings/c/112

We use half of an old wooden clothes-peg with a nail through the middle of it on the doorframe, loose enough to swivel

This is brilliant! How have I never seen this done before?

Quick Blank Dragon's Den

How about a small bolt on the inside of the door?

You can fit a hook and eye fitting loosely in case someone needs to knock it open

Thank you for all your wonderful suggestions! I LOVE the clothes peg idea - stops the door opening but flimsy enough to force off.

Thank-you, takes a bow, love the Dragons Den idea

It was born from seeing cupboard and door fastenings like that when I was a kid, wanting to use one and not being able to find the wooden bit ready-made anywhere. Then, when pegging the washing out and seeing a broken wooden peg in the basket, my eureka moment happened.

Poorer quality wooden clothes pegs these days can split easily, so I'd suggest drilling a hole in them before nailing or screwing them into place.

At the risk of sounding really stupid, won't the clothes peg only work if the door opens outwards? If your door opens into the bathroom then surely there isn't anything for the peg to catch against? Somehow I don't think the OP doesn't want it on the outside of the bathroom door...

If your door opens into the bathroom then surely there isn't anything for the peg to catch against

The peg is inside the bathroom, on the doorframe, adjacent to the door.