The terrible twos and troublesome threes. Toddlers run around tossing their toys about and getting into things they shouldn’t.
Many parents find child-proofing the house makes all of the difference! Read more about some easy ways to toddler-proof any kind of door to keep your children safe.
Covers on Round Doorknobs
It’s easy to forget to lock a door or secure the deadbolt. While doorknobs aren’t as easy for toddlers to open as lever-style handles, it’s still possible.
You can place a cover over the doorknob when you don’t want your child twisting a doorknob and opening the door. One of the most common styles is a cover with two buttons you must press to twist the knob and successfully open the door. It’s more of a challenge for toddlers to press both buttons. Without pushing the buttons, the cover spins around without opening the door.
Covers on Lever Handle Doors
Doors with lever handles are much easier for children to operate. With an outstretched flailing arm, they can quickly unlock and push the door wide open.
Most lever handle covers fit over the door handle and are secured by adhesive tape. Secure your pre-finished interior oak doors by installing this device that uses two bars overtop the handle. Press two buttons on the device to move down the bottom bar, push the handle downward, and open the door.
Latches on Sliding Glass Doors
Sliding glass doors are another type of door to worry about in most homes with toddlers. Fortunately, there’s an easy way to toddler-proof this kind of door!
Stick the latch on the glass just above the handle. It’s important to choose the proper height for the latch to ensure it’s out of reach from your toddler.
If you want to open the glass door, simply press the panel, and the latch will retract. Once the panel is no longer pressed, the latch will go back into place, keeping the door safely locked.
Latches on Cabinet Doors
Your kitchen is another area with several doors you don’t want your child to open. You never know what your child might find in a cabinet, including sharp objects, cleaning supplies, and heavy pans.
For an effective lock that’s invisible to the rest of the kitchen, install latches on the inside of the cabinet doors. The latch attaches to the backside of the cabinet door, while the catch sits on the top corner of the interior.
When children try to open the cabinet, the latch will stick to the catch. Adults can press down on the latch so it detaches, and they can easily open the cabinet when needed.
Trust that your children are safely protected at home with each of these helpful toddler-proofing materials. Once the kids are older and more responsible, you can gradually remove the toddler-proofing and return your home to its original style.