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Parents and guardians of young children should be aware of the issues around having childproof doors and windows. Of course, the property should be secure from intruders, but this article specifically focuses on Lock Security Advice Relating to Children and keeping children safe from themselves.
Young children have a natural curiosity and it is not always possible to be 100% vigilant when looking after them. Measures need to be put in place to prevent the child from being able to leave the property unsupervised. Or at the very least to restrict access to more dangerous areas. It’s frighteningly easy for a child to open a window and fall out.
Consider whether you have a childproof front door and lock.
The basic principle is that younger/smaller children should not be able to open the door themselves. Keeping the door deadlocked at all times is therefore recommended.
Or additional door security furniture can be added to the door and out-of-reach of the child. For example a sliding bolt, a door chain or a sash jammer.
But remember, children can be resourceful. So make sure they are not able to climb on a chair or something else. Also, you may need to adjust these devices as your child grows.
If your door has a thumb turn (lock operated by turning a knob without a key from the inside), then you may want to change it to a standard key operated lock. This is because your child might work out how to unlock the door, just by watching you!
Locks on internal doors should be reviewed.
It is not unusual to hear about a child being locked in a bathroom. If you have a lock on the bathroom, ensure that they can operate it easily. Or maybe consider removing or disabling it. If you do want locks on internal doors, then make sure that lock can be opened from the outside in an emergency.
In any home with children it is important to have key operated locks for windows.
That way you can be sure that the child cannot climb/fall out of the window by keeping it closed and locked. However, being able to open a window for ventilation and/or temperature control is sometimes needed. In which case it is recommended to install window restrictors or maybe security grilles.These help to prevent children from climbing out of windows. (Read more in my window lock article).
There are a whole range of locking products suitable for a home with young children. These child safety locks are not just about preventing access – they are about creating a safe environment for your children to grow and learn. These ingenious devices ensure that young children cannot open doors independently, keeping them safe from potential dangers. Check out this list of recommended products.
As children get older, it is important that parents and guardians educate them as to the importance of home security and lock safety. Introduce them to the locks in your home by explaining their purpose, showing them how they operate and by explaining the rules around when doors and windows should be locked and unlocked.
As they get older, you may want to give them a key for more independence. If so, make sure that they keep the key safe somewhere where they cannot drop or lose it.
It is important to know a reliable locksmith, who can respond quickly, should you find yourself locked out of your house with a child inside. Select an appropriate locksmith using the advice in my article on selecting a good locksmith. You can then store them as a contact on your phone.
I hope this article on Lock Security Advice Relating to Children has been useful to you.
For further advice, or for any lock requirements in Essex, contact Lock Guy.
Got a question about a lock issue you may have? Why not have a look at the FAQ page or one of the helpful advice videos on the Media page.