Do You Need a Child Lock for a Sliding Door?
You can find a childproof lock for just about anything. They’re designed for use with kitchen cabinets and drawers, the rear seat of your automobile, and even hinged interior and exterior doors. However, if you have a sliding glass door, finding appropriate baby door locks can be difficult, and you may think your child does not have the strength to pull the door open in the first place. Do you really need child door locks for sliding doors?
Can Your Child Open the Sliding Glass Door?
The truth is that most sliding glass doors are quite heavy to say the least, and even adults need to give a good firm tug to pull them open. In fact, many parents believe their small children simply lack the strength to pull the door open, so they decide childproofing that particular door. Believe it or not, though, kids can surprise you, and even your toddler may find a way to wiggle the door open just enough to squeeze out. It may not be the most likely scenario, but it’s still a possibility that all parents should consider.
Traditional Lock vs. Child Lock Systems
A child lock for sliding glass doors differs a great deal from traditional locks. For one thing, the traditional lock is generally within the reach of your children. You may believe that your child can’t operate the lock and is therefore safe, but again, kids are creative, and they can surprise you with their ingenuity. The best way to ensure your child’s safety is to supplement the traditional sliding glass door lock with a child lock system designed specifically for French doors.
What to Look for in a Child Lock for Sliding Glass Doors
Before buying a child lock for French doors, make sure it offers the following features:
- No potential lockouts. It’s important that your child proof door locks are not adult proof, too. Make sure that the system you choose is set up in such a way that you cannot lock yourself in or out from either direction.
- Ease of use. You’ll also want to be certain that the child safety lock you choose for your French door is easy for you to operate. If it’s difficult, cumbersome, or time-consuming, you are more likely to forget to set it, which renders it useless.
- Keyless entry. Some parents opt to add a traditional lock high up on the door where children cannot reach them, and while this can keep children safe, it’s troublesome for adults as it makes inserting a key correctly difficult. What’s more, if you already have a traditional lock and deadbolt, another keyed system is an annoyance.
- Effectiveness. Finally, be certain that the child door lock you choose for your sliding glass door actually does its job. If your child can easily remove or open the lock, then it isn’t the right choice for your home.
Sliding doors are definitely heavier than traditional hinged doors, but assuming that small children cannot open these doors can lead to serious problems. Child looks for sliding glass doors are always a great idea as they provide unsurpassed peace of mind.
