Once your baby or toddler is mobile, you need to have a baby-proof home, and that includes blocking off-limit areas in the home accessed through doors. There are several different strategies to help childproof your home.
Doorknob Protectors and Latches
One easy way to childproof doors with doorknob protectors that make it difficult for a young child to open the door. A lot of force needs to be applied in order to open the door, which prevents younger children from opening the door. These should be used on high-traffic areas where you do not want to put a lock on the door that will require a key. They can also be applied to only one side of the door, which makes them ideal for the bathroom or exterior doors. The protectors are easy to remove once your child has outgrown them and leave no lasting marks.
If you have a closet with a door that folds open and does not have a twisting handle, you may want to use a latch system that you would normally use on a cupboard. You slide the latch over both doorknobs and tighten, and then the child cannot open the door without removing the latch. You can also buy versions of these with alarms so that you know if your child has broken through the latch.
Locks and Deadbolts
There may be areas in your house where you do not want your child to enter at all. This may be your office or a place where you store guns or chemicals. The best solution is to install a door with a deadbolt or with a key that is specific to the door. This will make it more difficult for you to enter the area, so it is best if this is not a high-traffic area. If you are concerned about your older children entering this room as well, it is important to remember that the lock is only as secure as your key is hidden from your children.
Child-Safety Gates
Child-safety gates are great for keeping toddlers and babies in or out of a specific area. There may be times when you want to keep an eye on your children without having them enter the room you are in. For example, if you are cleaning the bathroom or mopping the kitchen and do not want your children in the room. A baby-safety gate allows you to accomplish this without shutting the door. These may also be a good option for rooms you do not want your child to access but still want them to be able to find you.
