How To Childproof Door Handle?
Excited that your baby can now walk and move around the house from one room to another? That’s awesome. But what happens once your baby learns how to turn doorknobs and open doors? Well, your baby could end up where it should not be and could risk getting injured.
The good news? There are many ways to childproof a door handle. So, how, you ask? Depending on the type of your door handle, you could try different DIY childproofing methods like using an elastic band. Or, you could use products like door knob covers.
Now, without wasting much of your time, let’s check out some common door-type handles and how to childproof them.
Types of Door Handle
Door handles vary in terms of design and how they work. Because of this, you will be sure to come across different types of door handles to choose from, including:
- Lever door handle
This is perhaps the most common type of handle in most homes and the easiest for toddlers to open. You can find the handle in two designs, including a lever on the backplate and a lever on the rose handle.
The lever on the backplate handle boasts a traditional style and comes in designs like square and curved. Rose door handles, on the other hand, are known for their modern design and small size backplate.
- Door knob
A door knob handle is usually round in shape. If you want to open a door knob handle, you simply rotate the knob clockwise or anti-clockwise. This handle comes in different types, including passage knob, privacy knob, and keyed entry knob.
- D-pull door handle
This handle is commonly available in a curved and straight D shape design, as the name suggests. Unlike other grips, a D-pull handle does not utilize any locking mechanism like latches.
- Flush handle
A flush handle is usually installed within the door itself and sits flush inside instead of poking out. It is common in sliding doors and in various designs like squares, quaint finger pulls, and circle-based.
- Cabinet cap or pull handle
A cabinet cap or pull handle standard on kitchen drawers and cabinets. As for the cabinet cap handle, you can find it in a classic and curved semi-circle shape. On the other hand, the cabinet pull handle is available in a linear or curved design.
Child Proofing Your Door Handle For Free
There is no need to hire a professional to childproof your door handle. Below you can find various methods to childproof door handles for free, like using door handle cover lock.
1. Reinstalling the lever handle at a vertical angle
If your doors have a lever handle, you can consider this child proof lever door handle DIY method. You only need a screwdriver to remove the screws holding the handle to the door. Then, screw it back to its original position but at a vertical angle. This will make it hard for your child to reach for the handle.
2. Switch the two sides of the lever handle
Here is another effective method for baby proof basement doors with a lever handle design. Simply unscrew the handle from the door using a screwdriver. Then, pull out the two sides of the handle.
Next, switch the handle sides by making sure the side on the outside goes to the inside and vice versa. After that, reinstall the handle upside down. This will help ensure that the door does not open when your child pushes the handle down. It can only open if you lift the handle up.
3. Using a water bottle
Another method of baby proofing door knobs is using a plastic water bottle. Simply get a pair of scissors and cut your bottle in half. Then, insert the bottom half of your bottle into your door’s knob.
After that, use a zip tie to secure the bottle on the doorknob. If there are sharp edges on the zip tie or the bottle, get a tape and cover them. This should make it difficult for your toddler to turn the door knob. Besides, if your baby tries to open the knob, the bottle will make a crunchy noise to alert you.
4. Tying down the handles with a rope
Most French doors have handles on both sides. In this case, you can consider tying both handles using a non-stretchy rope to childproof your French door. The cord should criss-cross between the handles, making it hard for your child to open the door.
5. Substitute lever door handles with door knobs
The best way to childproof your lever door handle for young kids is to replace it with door knobs. It is easier for your young children to pull a lever door handle and open it than a door knob. However, as your kids grow, you will also have to consider baby proofing door knobs.
6. Install door knob covers
Additionally, you could use door knob covers for toddlers. The covers are designed to fit over your current door knob. It helps childproof your door handle by making it hard for your child to turn the knob. It works like child-proof caps standard in medicine bottles since you have to squeeze the cover to turn the knob.
To install your door knob cover, place the two halves over your door knob. Then, close the halves together with the knob inside.
7. Door lever lock
Like door knob covers for door knob handles, you can also find a door lever lock cover. This door handle cover lock is designed to fit over your lever door handle.
All you’ve got to do is secure it next to your door handle using adhesive tape. And when you want to activate it to make the door handle childproof, you simply press the top and bottom buttons. You also do the same to deactivate the lock.
8. Elastic band method
You can also use a thick elastic band to childproof most door handles. This method works best for cabinet doors with knobs or pulls handles. You simply put your elastic band around two different cabinet handles close to each other. And for enhanced child proneness, you can double wrap your elastic band around the knobs.
9. Fitting a deadbolt
If you wonder what is the most effective method to baby proof swinging doors, you can consider installing a deadbolt. Simply install a double-sided deadbolt just above the door handle. However, you must never forget to lock the deadbolt each time you close your swinging door. Alternatively, you can install a security chain.
FAQ
Now you know the different methods to child proof pantry door or any door knob handle for free. So, let’s look at the most frequently asked questions about babyproofing doors.
Is childproofing door handles necessary?
Yes. It helps minimize or prevent the chances of your toddler getting injured. This comes in handy, especially when your baby starts crawling and walking.
When is the right time to start childproofing my door handles?
It should be as soon as you notice your child is mastering fine motor skills. This can be between the age of 2 and 3 years.
What are the most effective products for childproofing door handles?
If your door uses door knobs, there are covers specially designed for baby proofing door knobs. However, if your doors utilize lever handles, the best childproofing product would be a door lever lock.
How do I baby proof drawers or cabinets without handles?
The most effective way is by using magnetic locks. To prevent your child from opening, you simply fit a latch with a strong magnet inside your cabinets or drawers.
What is the easiest way to childproof my French door handles?
The easiest way is to tie down the handles using a non-stretchy rope. Alternatively, you could use a pinch guard around the edge of your French door to keep it open a little bit.
Conclusion
Once your baby starts moving around, you must think about childproofing your door handles. But nothing to worry about because there are many ways to childproof a door handle for free. This means you won’t need to hire a professional.
Even so, you should know that different types of door handles call for different solutions. For instance, using a water bottle to babyproof door knob handles will not work for other door handle types.
So, you must decide whether your handle is the lever, knob, D-pull, or flush type. Then choose the most effective babyproof method or product to use.