Kids opening front door

[Random458]

Hi all

Our landlord has recently changed our front door. It has no key, just a handle and a knob you twist to lock/unlock . Wondering if you had any suggestions to stop kids opening the front door? They are 5 and 3.

So far we have tried the adhesive wire lock things which just rips off the wall easily as the door is heavy

We have tried the one where it stops the handle going down, but they figured it out within a day (just press the very obvious button to release it)

We are not allowed to drill holes into the wall/door so that's not an option

I'm keeping them as distracted as I can but it's so hard especially when I need to go into the kitchen/bathroom and they run off and open the door

It doesn't sound very secure, you should be able to put a bolt or a chain on the inside to keep people out! How do you even get insurance without a proper deadlock on the door?

Oh and also have tried the strong double sided tape to secure it but it still comes off the wall :(

We have tried to put it on the living room door to stop them leaving but again it rips off

We live in a flat so when they run, before you know it they've got to the door and are about to leave. Baby gates don't work as they're tall enough to climb over them

@Greentree1 I agree with you. I am surprised as most of the people in the block of flats have the same door now apart from 2 or 3

This is how it looks..

That sounds unbelievably unsafe with regards to your children and also not very secure at all! I was going to ask about insurance requirements, surely this wouldn’t meet the minimum?

can you wedge a door stop at the bottom to make it harder for the door to open temporarily then get on to your landlord and tell them it’s not secure for the children.

I think those locks are for fire safety, OP, but I see how it’s hard with small children.

Could you put a command hook up high, then stretch a small bungee cord over it and the door handle? If it’s under enough tension that might make it too tricky for them? I suppose you don’t need to make it impossible, and probably shouldn’t in case of emergencies, but just slow them down enough that you can get there?

Oh, hang on, no key even from the outside? I misread. That’s bonkers, and surely can’t work from an insurance point of view.

No suggestions but I feel your pain! This was in our new build front door when we moved in and I made them change it for a key when DS got out one day. They are great in an emergency and unexpected deliveries etc but my main worry was someone putting the glass pane through next it and reaching in and unlocking it!

@QueenOfWeeds that's a good idea we will try that today and see if works!

Sorry should have explained better. There is a key to open the door from outside but no keyhole as such on the inside to lock it from inside

@SgtCatherineCawood i'm glad they changed it for you, we have emailed again and asked if we could install a lock chain or similar to make it secure as our kids are opening the door and it's just not realistic to be able to stop them each and every time!

My worry is at night time if one of them wakes and decides to let themselves out. We do have a camera to watch them but no good if we are fast asleep

@Random458 we have always had a chain but he used to get something to stand on to take it off and now he can just about reach! We actually had one of those motion pads in his bed that are supposed to alert you to babies stopping breathing but we used it to know when he was out of bed 🫣

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dementia-Children-Durable-Adjustable-Internal/dp/B0C9WTS6NS/ref=mpssa112?adgrpid=140117480630&hvadid=605344336554&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=9046909&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=6664143728541269508&hvtargid=kwd-375689085246&hydadcr=5731_2289293&keywords=glidelok&qid=1690974447&sr=8-2

A little bit pricey but works a treat. It's high up so only adults can reach to unlock.

You can get door wedges which are alarmed to use when travelling - would that work overnight?