How to baby-proof a lever doorknob?
#1
04-15-08, 08:30 PM
How to baby-proof a lever doorknob?
Our first born will be here anyday now. I know this is not something I need to worry about for a few months, but has anyone baby-proofed a lever style doorknob?? I have tried looking around at the store but haven't seen anything for them.
For closets and such I can just put a latch up higher that baby could not reach, but I am stumped on the basement door and other doors where it would need to "lock" after someone goes through.
Any ideas??
thanks.
For closets and such I can just put a latch up higher that baby could not reach, but I am stumped on the basement door and other doors where it would need to "lock" after someone goes through.
Any ideas??
thanks.
#2
04-15-08, 10:50 PM
First of all let me say congrats. My youngest is 15 mos. old now and has figured out the lever handles in our house. Our basement door we have the same problem and we put up a gate that we can step over but the baby can't. I don't know of any special babyproofing for these handles. I will say this from experience(father of four), The best babyproofing is good parenting, watching your kids and not relying on babyproofing products. Some are great, and others they figured out faster than I did, and it doesn't matter how many corners you pad or extra latches you install, there is always something else that they can fall on or get into.
So enjoy the first year or so with your new baby before they learn how to walk.. LOL
Good Luck.
So enjoy the first year or so with your new baby before they learn how to walk.. LOL
Good Luck.
#3
04-16-08, 04:00 AM
Even cats/dogs can figure out lever handles, how you gonna baby proof them. As you suggested, a latch/deadbolt up higher than they can reach, or replace the lever with a knob and get one of thos safety slipovers for the knob. You can usually find a knob by itself(locksmith shop), then save the levers for later.
#4
04-16-08, 04:48 AM
Glad someone brought this topic up!!!
This is a new discovery in my house, we just added a storm door with a lever handle, with the intention of leaving the main door open for some sun. But now my 2.5 yr old can open the lever handle. There is a deadbolt on the storm too, but its *below* the lever handle, so thats even easier to open!
Maybe some sort of hook that goes under the lever and over the door its closing? Kids could probably figure out how to unhook the hook too though. Hmm.
-Chris
This is a new discovery in my house, we just added a storm door with a lever handle, with the intention of leaving the main door open for some sun. But now my 2.5 yr old can open the lever handle. There is a deadbolt on the storm too, but its *below* the lever handle, so thats even easier to open!
Maybe some sort of hook that goes under the lever and over the door its closing? Kids could probably figure out how to unhook the hook too though. Hmm.
-Chris
#5
04-18-08, 09:25 PM
I did some more searching on google, and found this
http://store.babycenter.com/product/..._Global_Slider
Now I want to actually see one of these to figure out it is "locking" the door. If it is just squeezing the two handles and then rotating I think I will keep looking.
Chris, I know at my parents house growing up, there was a hook/latch that was 5-6' up the door so they could do the same thing with the screen door.
http://store.babycenter.com/product/..._Global_Slider
Now I want to actually see one of these to figure out it is "locking" the door. If it is just squeezing the two handles and then rotating I think I will keep looking.
Chris, I know at my parents house growing up, there was a hook/latch that was 5-6' up the door so they could do the same thing with the screen door.
#7
04-22-08, 09:16 AM
Move to "Lock out/Tag out" in a google. You'll find all sorts of items designed to keep handles from being moved out of position from an industrial point of view. What comes to mind is a "doughnut" type of cover that will cover your lever handle and keep munchkins from opening/closing it.. However - it keeps adults from doing the same without a key...
