EEK..my 16month old just figured out to unlock the childproof gates

[tonydahose]

:eek: :eek: :eek: and of course i have 4 of them...one on the stairs, 2 to the kitchen and one on the porch...now what?

[Slick]

You will have to rig up something to make access to the lock release difficult. If your kid can work the lock release prevent access to it. Alterativly modify the lock.

Maybe the manufacturer could give you a good answer being at risk of a class action lawsuit. There is a government agency (Consumer Product Safety something or other) that would like to hear from you.

On the bright side your toddler is smarter than an engineer.

[ozspyder]

Hey Tony,

With my kids I had childproof gates for the first 2 of them..... thereafter we gave up :O We found that the smart kids would have seen Mum and Dad working the gate and copy the exact movements to release the gate locks.

We decided to train them how to climb up and down stairs as soon as they learn how to crawl. There'll be a couple of minor stumbles so supervised some of their inital attempts, and made sure that if they fall there would be some padding. We found child no.3 & 4 to be better stair negotiators than No.s 1 & 2. No. 5 learnt the quickest to use stairs with no handholds....but also she has had the most falls.

Once they figure out how to open the gates, it is time to get rid of them, because it might cause more injury (ie; negotiating stairs whilst opening and holding open a gate etc.)

Good luck, you have to make decisions now whether to make gates more secure (tying etc.) or taking them all out. We tried both before deciding :D

Cheers
Dan

[KSDbass]

Duct tape would always work. I'm not sure what a child proof lock looks like, but I bet some duct tape would confound your toddlers.

[tonydahose]

after he literally opened 20X in a row (i was next to the gate closing it) i pulled the top hinge side in so the lock on the opposite side has to be pushed really hard down to engage. that makes it alot more difficult to unlock unless you push the gate down while you disengage the lock. so far this has stopped him and then he gave up interest in it..so i might be good for a few months .

[uhiforgot]

Duct tape would always work. I'm not sure what a child proof lock looks like, but I bet some duct tape would confound your toddlers.

I'll second that.

If it doesn't move and it should, use WD-40.

If it moves and it shouldn't, use Duct Tape.

[deeker]

We are training our 1-year-old to climb and descend the stairs (in a controlled manner) in our house. We have a gate, but it's often left open for convenience of running up and down the stairs to the laundry room / pantry.

Also, he's seen his 4-year-old brother climb over the gate enough times that he is getting wise to that trick. He had pushed a stool over to the gate the other morning, preparing to climb up...!!

All the best with the kids, they keep you on your toes!

[jaislandboy]

Hey you've got some brainy kids Tony, looks like they they got their smarts from pops :confused: :)
I agree w/Jeff, I recommend Gorilla Tape :p
http://www.gorillaglue.com/home/gorilla ... etail.aspx

[tonydahose]

lol...i cant use tape ..i need a gate not a fence :p

[EarthDog]

Parenthood! It's not for wimps.

Tony, congratulations on having such a bright young person. And thanks for being committed to your child's well being.

[Blackhair]

Get a good padlock.

[tonydahose]

Get a good padlock.

with my luck he'd be a locksmith..lol

[Raqudu]

Start putting away the money for engineering school - your kid is a natural! :D