Zip Tie Hack Toddler Proof Doors
If you have kids you already know. They are super clever and the most clever when it comes to getting into things they need not be into.
Kitchens bathrooms and outdoors pose the most serious threats to a baby or toddler and there is the things you just don't want them messing with or breaking. Keeping them out of reach will only work so long.
Soloution. Place them in another room and close the door.
Solution FAIL. Even before my kids could reach the door knows they were opening them. They would drag a chair or box or laundry basket or even large toys to climb up. From there it only took a few days of tinkering to solve the opening mechanism.
Super cute and clever as it was, it's a huge safety and cleaning issue.
New solution. Use a door know cover to make it very difficult to open the door. As a grown up these things are a little hard to open a door. So for a toddler it should work great. Right?
The only option availible to me to buy locally is a plastic knob cover that comes in two peices that snap around the knob. They come in two styles (regular and glow in the dark) in a three pack and are available at Walmart. Beyond ordering something else online that is my only option.
FAIL AGAIN. The two part snap together design is no match for 30 to 40 pound toddler. One good yank and it's broken off and back to meshcheivious business as usuall. Kids are the quietest when getting in trouble even at a young age.
Final solution. Zip ties.
Kitchens bathrooms and outdoors pose the most serious threats to a baby or toddler and there is the things you just don't want them messing with or breaking. Keeping them out of reach will only work so long.
Soloution. Place them in another room and close the door.
Solution FAIL. Even before my kids could reach the door knows they were opening them. They would drag a chair or box or laundry basket or even large toys to climb up. From there it only took a few days of tinkering to solve the opening mechanism.
Super cute and clever as it was, it's a huge safety and cleaning issue.
New solution. Use a door know cover to make it very difficult to open the door. As a grown up these things are a little hard to open a door. So for a toddler it should work great. Right?
The only option availible to me to buy locally is a plastic knob cover that comes in two peices that snap around the knob. They come in two styles (regular and glow in the dark) in a three pack and are available at Walmart. Beyond ordering something else online that is my only option.
FAIL AGAIN. The two part snap together design is no match for 30 to 40 pound toddler. One good yank and it's broken off and back to meshcheivious business as usuall. Kids are the quietest when getting in trouble even at a young age.
Final solution. Zip ties.
Yes Zip Ties
I spent a full shower (best thinking spot) trying to come up with some kind of easy glue or screw or mechanical solution.
First I thought hot glue or epoxy but hot glue probably not strong enough and epoxy fumes and chemicals don't mix with indoors.
Then came some way to use small screws or possibly hose clamps to hold it solid. There may be a 3d printed solution or complete redesign of the product that will allow such things but way to expensive and time consuming.
Then as the water began to run cold it hit me...Just thread zip ties through the finger grip holes. Mechanical holding power that needs zero modification and is very fast and cheap. Bonus easily removed or replaced.
First I thought hot glue or epoxy but hot glue probably not strong enough and epoxy fumes and chemicals don't mix with indoors.
Then came some way to use small screws or possibly hose clamps to hold it solid. There may be a 3d printed solution or complete redesign of the product that will allow such things but way to expensive and time consuming.
Then as the water began to run cold it hit me...Just thread zip ties through the finger grip holes. Mechanical holding power that needs zero modification and is very fast and cheap. Bonus easily removed or replaced.
Installation
This is the best part. It's easy.
Clip the knob cover onto the knob.
Thread two zip ties through the cover. The zip ties should connect where the cover halves or connects to itself.
Tighten zip ties and clip ends. When clipping try to keep from leaving a sharp end.
Fimished. Now watch your child become upset because you took away it's fun (dangerous) activity.
Clip the knob cover onto the knob.
Thread two zip ties through the cover. The zip ties should connect where the cover halves or connects to itself.
Tighten zip ties and clip ends. When clipping try to keep from leaving a sharp end.
Fimished. Now watch your child become upset because you took away it's fun (dangerous) activity.
Before and After
Before was no security and danger to short humans. Also before is a happy bear. After is a sad bear who cannot open the doors we don't want him too.