Am I being neurotic or is DH being cavalier WRT DS safety?

[Notaneuroticmum]

On holiday, in a hotel room on the 4th floor. The room has a sliding door which opens sideways as it would on a balcony, but there's no balcony just a drop. The only protection is an outer glass panel that comes up to approx my middle (I'm 5ft 3)

Above that there's nothing, so a child could easily stand on something and fall over the top and down 4 floors to the ground.

Our child is almost 4 and is autistic with a history of trying to escape. We had a scary incident a few months ago whereby he climbed out of a ground floor window and ran up the road, luckily I caught him before he was hit by a car.

I discovered tonight that the balcony door isn't key lockable, you simply twist the knob and flick the catch up and it opens. DC is obviously showing alot of interest in the sliding door.

I can't relax for worrying he's going to get up in the night and open it, let alone sleep. DH on the other hand is moaning about how it's going to be a shit holiday and how DC won't try to open it. Im being ridiculous apparently. It's ok for him he sleeps like a log, it's me that'll lose sleep over it.

No concierge on until 9am tomorrow morning so no chance of being moved tonight.

AIBU or is DH not concerned enough?

Toilet brush?

Definitely no second securing point at the top in the middle?

Right update, what do we think?

The tape is pretty solid and I'm hoping the broom adds an extra layer of security even though the bristles mean it's not totally jammed tight.

Or, use phone charger cable to tie the handle down. Then cover everything in face cream so it's too slippery to open - although, if it's a fire escape don't do anything g that you can't disable.
Is it a chain hotel? If so they'll be a central switchboard.

@RandomMess

Definitely no second securing point at the top in the middle?

Nope :(

That looks good. Just be mindful of it as a fire escape.

Ok, first, don't panic. This can be bodged without you lying on the floor!

Baby reins through the door handle and then tie/ clip the other end onto something so he can't actually open the door. If there isn't anything suitable to tie it onto, a chair with your filled suitcase on will do, or even just your suitcase.

If you want to be really really sure, thread your keys on it too - if he unties it the keys fall.

Whatever your do, don't use the reins on him when you'll both be asleep as that's probably more risky than just going to sleep as it is.

@TonytheDog

That looks good. Just be mindful of it as a fire escape.

No worries there, you'd be better off taking your chances with the fire as it's a 4 story drop with no ladder or escape access.

Baby reins through the door handle and then tie/ clip the other end onto something so he can't actually open the door. If there isn't anything suitable to tie it onto, a chair with your filled suitcase on will do, or even just your suitcase

Fab idea! Will add that contraption now!

Oh god this has made me really anxious for you.

Can you possibly book in to a nearby hotel instead?

@Notaneuroticmum

Right update, what do we think?

The tape is pretty solid and I'm hoping the broom adds an extra layer of security even though the bristles mean it's not totally jammed tight.

Looks sorted. But honestly, complain to hotel management about no night staff. That is highly negligent. You shouldn’t have had to go to such lengths.

Reigns locked onto the door handle, then tied onto the buggy with a heavy table inside it.

So that's 3 hopeful security measures in place until the morning at which point I'll be demanding to be moved immediately.

Thank you all for your suggestions you've been most helpful.

Can't believe your dh thinks you're being ridiculous. My dh is so laid back he's horizontal and even he would be shitting himself at the thought of dd flying out of the window

@Notaneuroticmum

Baby reins through the door handle and then tie/ clip the other end onto something so he can't actually open the door. If there isn't anything suitable to tie it onto, a chair with your filled suitcase on will do, or even just your suitcase

Fab idea! Will add that contraption now!

I think with all of this, I would sleep.

That looks good op. Get some sleep x

I'll try! Thanks all. DS is out like a light. He can sleep in the bed with me and DH can have what was supposed to be his bed. Bloody man.

You've done a really great job there, get some sleep, there's no way he can escape through that.

Your pic reminds me of the time I barricaded the front door of an airbnb with the pram and various items because the front door had a similar lock to your balcony. Had forgotten all about it. It worked well though!

Blu tack around both bolts so DC can't turn them to open the door? This worked for our then 2yo DC when they kept locking themselves in the bathroom. Although an older child might be able to remove it.

Well done. I hope you're asleep now OP.

I'd be making a compliant first thing in the morning - fingers crossed they move you ASAP. I'd also be wanting a discount or something for being put in such a shoddy room.

How did last night go OP? Have you been able to move rooms?