How to childproof front door? I'm terrified

[YellowSubmarine994]

We're moving to a new house where the front door is only a few metres from a main road. Our last house the door catch was hard to turn and very high up so our four year old was unable to reach it. In our new house, it's a standard UPVC door with a waist height handle. All you have to do is push the handle down and the door opens.

Our four year old has already made one escape attempt and I'm terrified. She's autistic and has very limited understanding of danger. We can obviously put a bolt across the top of the door, but all it takes is for one of us to forget to put the bolt across one day and we're in hot water.

I'm looking for any suggestions on how we can make the front door (or internal door from porch into house) childproof so that it automatically locks behind us in a way a 4 year old can't open.

Help!

Get a locksmith to fit a yale lock higher up.

A locksmith could help you here, change to lock to one that locks automatically. Then a chain as well which you soon get in the habit of.

You do run the risk of locking yourself out.

What about a dog gate?

Also what about a door alarm so if she gets out you know straight away

Or a new front door that only opens with a key. We have one, I hate it but it's very sensible.

What's the porch door like? I'd add a lock to that.

A door alarm or bell on the internal door and yale locks on both the porch door and external door would be my suggestion to add an extra layer of safety.

Do you own the house?

If so, I’d seriously consider investing in a new door. I know they’re expensive but it’ll give you peace of mind, and sounds like you need a long-term solution.

@YellowSubmarine994 are you buying or renting?

Could you choose not to move there?

Lock it?

I don't understand why it doesn't lock from the inside.

Surely you can always have your front door locked and the key kept out of reach? Ours is.

I think it's one that from the inside only locks with a knob turn. Like a hotel room.

Very similar situation to you op, on a main road and had concerns about DCs getting out as rhe door had a yale lock. I had a bolt across the top added. You do have to still make sure the house is easy to escape from in a fire situation tho.

I have a door lock like this, I keep it locked from the inside with the door key, and just keep a key hanging on a hook by the door but out of reach. It stops the door from just being opened by pushing the handle but allows us to easily get out in an emergency or unlock when needed.

Lock it and hang the key next to the door but out of reach. I always lock my front door as soon as I come in - it becomes an automatic action very quickly.

@MultiplaLight I think it’s a fire safety precaution. A child died in a house fire near us some years ago because he couldn’t open the door, and afaik all council houses had their locks changed to this type.

Ohhhh OK that explains it. Sorry I was assuming an internal key.

A high up chain or bolt seems your only option. Or some kind of intruder alarm that goes off when the door is open, but that will just alert you to her going.

I see your child have ASD- so you have an OT or are you linked with OT ? They can do a home safety needs assessment and provide this sort of equipment (which you also wouldn’t have to pay for).

It does. My worry is what if I forget to lock it one day in a rush or something and she bolts out the door.

It's just a standard wooden internal door. What sort of lock would you add?

You have to get into a routine OP. Lock it as soon as you come in so it becomes a habit. That's the only thing you can do.

Just put a bolt on, right at the top?

Fit something like this:

cpc.farnell.com/yale/b-89-dmg-pb-60/deadlocking-security-night-latch-lock-dark-metallic-grey-with-brass-cylinder-60mm-backset/dp/fn04990?mckv=s_dm%7Cpcrid%7C426684131264%7Ckword%7C%7Cmatch%7C%7Cplid%7C%7Cslid%7C%7Cproduct%7CFN04990%7Cpgrid%7C100371161718%7Cptaid%7Cpla-2275122574480%7C&CMP=KNC-GUK-CPC-SHOPPING-9262013734-100371161718-FN04990&s_kwcid=AL!5616!3!426684131264!!!network%7D!2275122574480!&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD_m6B1yRdYXVZmQNSNrefn85RtZl&gclid=CjwKCAjwk8e1BhALEiwAc8MHiFvA_ISmRSP8du5hwuyFD77U1CwnmwLY3g6cyCfFIf2eXej83dg9fBoCs58QAvD_BwE

Do you have another door to access the house from outside?
We use our utility room at the side for our front door. It's protected by two tall pet gates ( son is ASD ).

Just lock it, living on a main road why would you leave it unlocked anyway? It will become a habit, come in - lock door. Tbh I don't understand why anyone wouldn't keep their front door locked