Home Security Question

[Jim Brennan]

I have a 10 year old son with Down syndrome. He has a tendency to wander off. We fitted him with a transmitter that the police can track, which helps. But we want to have a way to lock the door from the inside that doesn't compromise our safety in case of a fire, or the integrity/warranty of the door.

We have been putting a bucket of pennies in front of the door, but I was hoping to find something less cumbersome. We though about getting a lock that is keyed on both sides, and maybe putting the key on a magnet to stick up high on the door. But if we lose that at the wrong time, it becomes a safety concern. Ian doesn't have great fine motor skills, so we were thinking about one of those portable locks you can use in hotel rooms. The real trick is that my 8 year old daughter needs to be able to get out if she has to.

Any suggestions?

 

[VGurcu]

A cheap fingerprint door lock may work, simply do not add your son as a user (installation seems easy too, similar to a regular door lock):
http://www.fingerprintdoorlocks.com/products/1touch/1touch.php

 

[Denis Haineault]

Are his motor skills good enough to circumvent a classic door chain? If so, you could make it harder using a variation of the standard door chain where you'd need to maneuver the chain through a little pattern (e.g. an "S" shape or something else) instead of a straight line. You might need to have the pattern part custom made, but at least you wouldn't need a key.

 

[Sean Jeong]

Or you can just keep the door chain high. I'm pretty sure 10 year olds aren't that tall.

Edit: Nvm. I'm pretty sure your eight year old would have a hard time too.

 

[Batutta]

An electronic keycode lock might work. You can get them at any home depot.

 

[Denis Haineault]

I've never had an electronic lock. What happens in case of power failure? Does it unlock or does it stay locked? ...either way, I'm not sure I'd want one.

 

[Batutta]

I've never had an electronic lock. What happens in case of power failure? Does it unlock or does it stay locked? ...either way, I'm not sure I'd want one.

It's battery powered, but you can also use it with a regular key if the power ever goes.

 

[Jim Brennan]

Apparently, drilling holes in the door voids the warranty.

Not that I care about that. I just don't get the final vote

But I am looking into some of the other options.

Thanks!

 

[ugafan]

okay, you'll need a few things, namely, a 40 gallon trash can and a camcorder. fill the trash can with water. lean the can up against the front of the door. then climb back in through the window and set up the camera. when he opens the door.. BOOM! a tsunami of water rushes into your living room. you can then upload the footage to youtube where it will go viral.

or if that doesn't work, go with the lock that other people have mentioned.

 

[Jim Brennan]

Awesome!