NWMR: exterior door in child's bedroom

NicoleWI

So, long story, but looks like we are moving to a new house. We got a great deal in a nice neighborhood and took it even though some things were not ideal for us--the house was built for a family with adult kids. One of my big issues is that one of the bedrooms has a door to the deck, as does the master. I don't like this at all, even in the master, for security reasons. What can I do with the door in the kids' room so that I am not constantly freaking out over someone breaking in, OR, the kids deciding to go for a walk? I don't think taking the door out is feasible as that would require then rebuilding that part of the wall with the siding and everything. Some kind of super locks???

Anyone have this situation? Does it bother you? What do you do about it? General ideas from anyone?

It is a very "safe" area, but you never know! 

We will likely HAVE to use this bedroom for one of the kids. 

aglenn

DD loves to open our sliding door and wander outside, so our low tech solution was to put a piece of PVC pipe in the bottom track of the door.  She can't open it this way and hasn't (yet) figured out why. 

Mustardseed2007

A house DH and I rented actually also had this.

It was just the two of us, so we just always kept it locked, never used it, and put shelves up in front of it on the inside.

If e had a child....well I would avoid that room for my nursery. If avoiding it isn't an option maybe you can put planters or something in front to make it less obvious to the eye that there is an exterior door there.

And then I would look around for strong deadbolts and other devices for inward swinging doors that will help make them kick proof. And then also put some furniture in front of the door so your kid doesn't think of it as an exit as he grows up. My DS at 15 months is really interested in doors and going outside. He would actually be really excited about an exterior door in his room -which would drive us nuts.

*sparky*

Put in a keyed deadbolt, so to open it from inside or outside you need a key.

Put a lock all the way at the top of the door, out of your child's reach.  You can do a keyed lock or just a slide lock.

If the house has a security system, you can alarm those doors and then set the system to chime whenever a door opens.

EastCoastBride

*sparky*:

Put in a keyed deadbolt, so to open it from inside or outside you need a key.

Put a lock all the way at the top of the door, out of your child's reach.  You can do a keyed lock or just a slide lock.

If the house has a security system, you can alarm those doors and then set the system to chime whenever a door opens.

All of this!

We have a door to the outside in our bedroom. It's hard to explain, but we have to go through another door to get to it - but... it's there.  What's nice, though, is that because of that other door, which has a lock on it, I do feel more safe.  And in reality- as I never close or lock my bedroom door to the main house, someone coming in our front door would probably be a bigger threat than this side door!

Ms5586

These are all great ideas.  I would add - hang blackout curtains over it.

NicoleWI

Thank you, these are all really good ideas!! This is very helpful!

 

MammaBear81

We have a security system in our house (we live in a safe neighborhood), and all the windows and doors "beep" three times when opened.  The kids playroom has a door to the backyard in it and although we keep it locked, I feel better knowing that if one of the kids opened the door I would know immediately.  We can also set the alarm to "Stay" mode and that will sound the alarm if any of the doors or windows open... we do this at night, because three beeps are not going to wake me up at night!  Installation was $99 I think, and we pay $35 a month for "monitoring"... best piece of mind I ever bought!

MammaBear81

*sparky*:

Put in a keyed deadbolt, so to open it from inside or outside you need a key.

Put a lock all the way at the top of the door, out of your child's reach.  You can do a keyed lock or just a slide lock.

If the house has a security system, you can alarm those doors and then set the system to chime whenever a door opens.

I would not advise a keyed deadbolt, god forbid you needed to get out of the house through that room (think fire), you would be stuck if you couldn't locate the key fast enough.  My parents had a keyed deadbolt and the key sat in the lock because they could never find it when they needed it... kind of defeated the purpose!

*sparky*

MammaBear81:

*sparky*:

Put in a keyed deadbolt, so to open it from inside or outside you need a key.

Put a lock all the way at the top of the door, out of your child's reach.  You can do a keyed lock or just a slide lock.

If the house has a security system, you can alarm those doors and then set the system to chime whenever a door opens.

I would not advise a keyed deadbolt, god forbid you needed to get out of the house through that room (think fire), you would be stuck if you couldn't locate the key fast enough.  My parents had a keyed deadbolt and the key sat in the lock because they could never find it when they needed it... kind of defeated the purpose!

I understand the safety concern in case of a fire.  We keep a key stashed close by our keyed deadbolts but out of reach from our DS.  Of course, in our case the door is not in his bedroom.  That may not work in this case - the lock up at the top of the door or some other solution may be better.

MammaBear81

*sparky*:

MammaBear81:

*sparky*:

I understand the safety concern in case of a fire.  We keep a key stashed close by our keyed deadbolts but out of reach from our DS.  Of course, in our case the door is not in his bedroom.  That may not work in this case - the lock up at the top of the door or some other solution may be better.

We had a place where our key was supposed to be, but somehow it was never there!  In any case, I do agree that a deadbolt at the top of the door would work well, parents can reach it, but it is too far for the LO's.  My boss has an autistic child and that's what they did (but now he's 10 years old and can reach them!).. they were the ones who suggested the alarm system that "beeps" to me

jamiedsgirl

We have this situation as well, and I actually prefer it. The more exits from my house, the better, in my mind. I figure someone can get in just as easily through a window or door, so why does it really matter?  However, if an intruder came in through a different part of the house (more likely), I can run into DS's room, grab the kid, and run out.  Also it is great if there is a fire.  I am super paranoid, however, and have spent many evenings lying awake in bed planning my escape routes from the house. I am on all one story so someone could come in anywhere. We have 7 exterior exits on our house!

SCtoDC

Problem solver for those of you with 'disappearing keys':  This was a problem in my house growing up, the key by the den door (most used in the house) was always walking away.  Finally, my mom bought a Clemson University themed key (with all of its orange and purple [disgusting] glory) and it has been in the tray by that door for more than 8 years now.

Everyone in my family when to the University of South Carolina - no one wants that key.

cmsdouglas

My parents moved a huge, heavy dresser in front of the door in my room when I was growing up.  There was no way that thing was moving without some serious muscle!