My son could have been killed yesterday...

sunandsand

OK so I'm being dramatic but I still can't stop thinking about it...

My 2.5 yr old figured out how to open the front door yesterday. My DH was tending to the baby and the toddler slipped out. It was only a few minutes but long enough for him to walk to the other side of our townhome complex (1-2 blocks I guess) once DH looked around the house, realized he was gone, and went outside. He was on the sidewalk by the busy main street...apparently he was going to "Donalds" aka the McDonalds playplace across the street. A cop was driving by and stopped and stood with him and then my husband ran over and found him. DS couldn't tell the police officer where he lived so I have no doubt had DH been a few minutes later, the cop would have taken DS in and we would be meeting with social services. 

OMG. We will obviously be chain locking the top of the door where he cant reach now, but how can I teach him that streets are dangerous?  We discussed how you don't go outside by yourself, how sad it made mommy and daddy...I mean my DH was shaking when he called me at work. Is there anything else we can do to learn from this? 

diana.filipi

How scary!  I would just talk about not leaving the house and streets and stuff like that a bunch.  Also, talk out loud to your husband, knowing your son can overhear you both, about how dangerous it is and how you've got to teach him.  Kids learn a LOT from listening in on conversations ;-)

LoCarb

I agree talk to him about the dangers. Also, I would booby trap the exits. Maybe get the detachable siren (can't think of the name but our DC has one b/c there is a toddler who likes to play outside alone) and stick on the door as a warning.

honeybee111

Do you have a home alarm system?  Ours is wired so that it chimes any time an outside door is opened.

megann831

Can you DS unlock the door?  DD got out once and I'm just always careful to keep the doors locked all the time

MammaBear81

CARunner:

Perhaps you can get a system that makes a noise everytime a door gets opened?  Or set your current home alarm to do this.

 

This, we have an alarm system that beeps 3 times every time a door/window is opened in the house.  If I didn't have it I would be a nervous wreck every time I hade to be in a different room than the kids.  It's the best $30 per month I spend! 

Pier1girl

Scary!  I am fanatical about checking the locks on the doors but I'm sure it can happen to anyone.

amy5162

How terrifying!  So glad everything turned out ok.  A lock at the top of the door sounds like a must!

Torani

megann831:

Can you DS unlock the door?  DD got out once and I'm just always careful to keep the doors locked all the time

My DS (2yrs4mo) can unlock doors, so that doesn't help.  He has never done this at home, but he does it at daycare.  She had to install another lock higher up that the kids can't reach. I need to remember to put the chime on our alarm too!

Princess_Lily

Chain locks are great investments!  As soon as we figured out that DS could open outside doors, the chain(s) were installed. 

MrsCripe10

My mom showed DD a smashed opposum and told her that he must have not listened to his mommy about going in the road.  It seems to have stuck, she told everyone at preschool about it.  A little unconventional, but just like my mom.

Mrs.Saxy

My son escaped a few times and we finally took off the regular dead bolt and put in one that has to be locked/unlocked with a key. We got command hooks and put the key high so he cannot reach it.

bobbs420

My son did this at my MIL's a few weeks back, and it obviously scared the crap out of me. He ended up wandering into the backyard thankfully, instead of near the street. She tied some bells on the doorknob after that, so that we can clearly hear if someone comes in or goes out.

wheelsonthebus

Uggh, I am so sorry. I can't even begin to imagine how scary that must have been. I can't even think about it. I guess it's time to child proof the front door! We don't have anything on ours and DS could potentially get outside and we live on a somewhat busy street. We taught DS about NEVER going out in the front by himself and he isn't much of an explorer, but your post has reminded me that you just never know.

JCM

That is very scary!  Here is a link to a few ways to child proof your door knobs https://www.babyproofingshop.com/baby-safety-products/category/door-26.html

There are one for each type of door knob so you should be able to find something.  These will prevent him from getting out instead of letting you know once he's already headed out.  We have then on all our doors that lead to the outside.  We have a pool in the back yard so it's important that DD does NOT ever get out on her own.

Kingston54

Sounds like you learned what you needed to.  Makes me learn too that we need to take steps to make sure this doesn't happen with our LO!

AppleMomma

Oh how scary! Glad nothing happened. Thinking chain locks are coming for us soon too.