Anyone Have Any Suggestions in Keeping a 6Yr in the Apt?

I suggest the lock with the key as well. And you can talk with the Apartment complex and let them know you would want it changed out, you might have to pay a little extra but I bet they will work with you.

They make little square alarm attachments for doors...that send out an alarm when the door (or window) is opened...you can find them at most walmarts or targets or home depot...they're cheap...a couple of bucks...they only have an on and off switch and you line the two pieces up with the door...when i lived in an appartment i had them...made me feel better...basically when you switch them on....if you or your daughter opens the door a very loud alarm is sounded...it'll keep you safe and scare your daughter to the point where she knows that she shouldn't be opening the door open with out permission...just a suggestion

A key lock can be a hassle, its up to you. I live in an apartment too and I just bought a bar latch I think those are better that the chains. You could do that and just attach it further up so she can't reach it. My apartments even installed it for me.

At Radio Shack they have an "alarm", it's around $26. It's portable which is great because you can take it with you when/if you move from your apt. building. It can be set to chime or piercing alarm so you will know when the door opens, also will scare off burglars. We used one when our son was little but it had a key that turned it off/on, I didn't see that one on the website but you could try their stores. Good Luck!

Hi A.,

I have a 6 yr. old as well. I try reverse phsychology on my kids. When we're in a store and they decide to play in the racks, which annoys the heck out of me, I play Marco-Polo with them. That way they can play and I always know where they are. They don't wander too far from the mark. I also told them to look out for ME. Some one could take me!! They've always heard of women being abducted but really don't think anything will happen to them. They feel a sense of responsibility if they have to watch eachother so why not you. I tel them to check up on me so that I don't get lost and when it comes to leaving doors open, whether it be the car or the house, I say they aren't practicing safe habits. What would happen if some one took Mommy. It'll get your little one thinking. She thinks she's ok but heavens if she did anything that would cause you harm. Try it a coule of times. I even have them hold my hand so that I don't get lost. You'd be surprised.

Good luck,
J. K.

Hi A.!

I suggest a deadbolt lock that you must use a key to open. Keep it with you at all times! However, my son did love to venture out as well. And figured out how to work the locks! I would always put something like child safety stuff on his room and the front door, as well as the deadbolts. He had to take a shoe and hit the door knob child cover, so I always heard him before he got out.

My theory was, it may not keep him completely out, but it delayed him long enough for me to get to him when I heard him. Kids are smart! And love to get into everything. But you can also remind her how much you love her and don't want anything to happen to her. (Scare her if you have to! LOL) If it continues, take away the tv, toys, candy, etc. I always remind my twins when I am getting in the shower, "do we answer the door? NO!" "even for a friend? NO!" She'll eventually get the picture. She'll eventually get the picture.

I hope it works out for you. Take care! Good luck! ~Lee

EDIT: I'd look into the alarms too. Sounds like a small price for peace of mind! : )

I would say try the lock where you have to have a key for BOTH sides. No way of getting out of that unless you keep the key in a place where she can find it/get to it. Maybe keep it around your neck or something.. Our son is the same way..he LOVES to get out, so we had that kind of lock for awhile until he stopped that. :)

Hey!
I just read all the other responces and although good only 1 touched the BEHAVIOR which is what you want to change. I think you have great amo! Take your daughter to the police dpt. (a phone call to arrange a meating and explain the situation will make this quicker) and have the officer sit her down and tell her WHY we don't open the door with out mom. WHY she can't just wander around out in the hall/outside. WHY it is dangerous. Make a HUGE deal about the previous break in and how dangerous it is. Then enlist her help. Give her jobs, ie... when the bell rings she can be the one who looks through the peep hole, or have her make up codes with close friends and family members so when they do visit she can say "mom, i know it is aunt joy! she gave the pass word! can i open the door?"
The more she understands and knows and can control, the less likely she will be to wander. I hope.
Good luck!!

HI,

Well, I too am in an apartment complex, work for one as well. As with mine, we don't allow the key dead bolts due to fire codes and our lock changes are $50.00 and above. We have a few residents that have the bolt lock-like the chain but they put it on the top corner and even at the top coming down in the middle of the door.

Before you do the key lock, remember if you do that in an apartment and for some unforeseen accident happens, how will you get out if you can not locate the key and dont live on the first floor.

Talk to your apartment manager. They might have a suggestion.

I also have the alarms-very inexpensive for a priceless gift of a child.

Good luck

We have a pool in our yard and were scared of the children venturing outside and into the pool. We installed bolt locks at the very top of every door throughout the house. To this day the children have not been able to reach them with chairs or use a broom or other stick to unlock the doors. The locks are sold at most stores and are not very expensive or difficult to install.

Hope this helps.

We have key locked doors at our place, the main reason for them is because we have glass paneled doors and if someone were to break the glass they would still not be able to unlock the door without a key. so in that way everyone stays inside when they are suppose to and outside when they are suppose to. this may not be practical at an apt where they have firecode and everything. you might want to check out a website I just found called www.forbabyssake.ca they are located in Canada, however they have a couple of products that might work for you, one is a door level lock and the other is a brass flip lock. I don't know if either of these would work, but it would be worth checking out. also you need to continue to stress to your daughter the importance of not letting someone in without your permission. She needs to have that fear that bad people are outside and they could harm her and she needs to be thinking about how to keep herself safe.

you need to put a sliding lock and chain on the front door
so even if she manages to open the door, she wont be able
to get out an/or go with a simple situation, put a set of big jingle bells in a giant bag on the door knob of the front door. when you hear the bells jingling, you know she is trying to get out the door.
K. h.
i am sure houdinis mother had the exact same problem