My 2 year old daughter keeps leaving the apartment.?

Question

I keep the door locked, and I use a child safety lock on the handle but she has figured out how to unlock it. I can't install anymore locks on it because it is a metal door and my lease requires me to make NO changes to the apartment.
She loves running outside, but I usually catch her by the time she reaches the bottom of the stairs. My neighbor found her after she was out for about 3 minutes and called CPS on me. Well, last night she did it again. My daughter got out about 3 minutes while I was in the bathroom and the neighbor caught her again. Good thing I know she's safe, but now I'm terrified that CPS might try to take her away from me.
Today I put a large heavy trunk in front of the door so she cant get out, but is there any other suggestions?

BTW: I refuse to spank due to the fact my parents used to spank me, but then when I became a grownup I once slapped my boyfriend across the face after he called me the "c-word" and I was arrested. That happened about 8 yrs ago and I refuse to ever hit anyone ever again. Including my children.

Answer 1

talk to your landlord, this is a safety issue that is out of your hands at this point. If all else fails, put a chain latch on the door and deal with it when you move. Your child life is more importan that forfiting a security deposit

Answer 2

Sounds like a very curious 2 year old. Safety gates are great but my 15 month old knocks it with his foot and it falls over. Some of the older houses or apartment doorways don't always hold gates well. When you bring her back in, what do you say to her? Try and discourage her from leaving, which I'm sure you already do. I keep a pack and play in my family rm for those moments when nature calls. My son may cry a little, but it keeps him safe. Sometimes, I put him in his high chair with a few toys or a snack. Although, unless you're right there to watch her that may not be the best idea.

They have an alert system you can attach to the doorway that alerts you when it is opened. I don't know if it needs to be installed to the door, or just placed on it. I would look into it though.

Answer 3

This is a serious issue! A few weeks ago in the area I live a 3yr old girl went missing. Her mother went to the bathroom and the 3yr old went out the door. They found her boots in the river a few hundred yards away, they haven't found her yet, we don't know if they ever will. You need to put a latch at the top of your door where she can't reach, surely the safety of your child is more important than a lease/security deposit! I am sure your landlord would understand if you explain. This is the only way for you to be 100%sure. I did with mine when they were little, and then when my son got older he had problems sleepwalking and went out the door once, I put the old latch right back up at the top of the door again until he got through that phase.

Answer 4

Why are you not hearing the door open, she should be in the room with you, you should never leave her unattended at this age, not even to go to the bathroom, if you need to go have her sit in the hallway or wherever so you can see and hear her at all times. Go to Wal-Mart and get the little alarms, they attach really easily and when a door opens it sounds a little alarm. And I hate to tell you this, but she has to be punished, she is two, she can not understand the fact that it is dangerous, she doesn't even know what that means. She does not understand kidnapping or rape or getting hit by a car, she has no sense of death. And I hate to tell you this, but slapping a person out of anger is vastly different than spanking a child. You have to differentiate between abuse and spanking to get a point across. Which is worse, spanking her very firmly and EVERY time she leaves, or having her killed or kidnapped. I would spank her if she so much as touched the door knob. I have a 23 month old, and he is not allowed to open or close doors, and he is told no if he even reaches for the door knob. If he ever escaped I would swat him firmly, you are the parent, it is your job to protect your daughter, by letting her get away with it you are placing her in danger, she does not understand and it is your job. None of my boys have ever escaped once, not one single time, because I never let them open and shut doors until they were much older. Some people said that was mean, but my question is...how is it mean, they dont go outside without me, so what reason do they have to be opening and closing doors, inside the house or out, and like I said, none of them have ever run off.

Answer 5

If I were you I would talk to your landlord about putting a lock on the door where your daughter can't reach it. We had the same problem with our son and CPS got involved. I was ordered to put locks on all the doors leading outside by 5pm that day or lose my children....I didn't care that we were in a rental, my children were more important than what the landlord had to say. Just explain the situation to the landlord, I'm sure he/she will understand. If not, maybe you need to find a different place to live....your childs safety is too important and it doesn't take long for something to happen.

Answer 6

Get a safety child proof lock or better yet, two of them, so that the hold is stronger. They sell them for cabinets that are pretty sturdy, and keep it on the top of the door, not within her reach. How do you discipline her when she goes outside without you? You should talk with your landlord and tell him your situation, and ask him if you can install a lock at the top of the door, and that you'll pay for it, etc. Everytime she goes outside, make her have a time out, and take away a toy. Repeat very often that she is not allowed to leave the house without you. If you catch her opening the door, or even lookin at it, remind her that it is never ok to open that door without Mommy, and have her repeat it back to you.

Answer 7

There is a slip lock you can install on the doorjamb. You lift then fold a piece of metal, its what the police recommend as it hold the door so secure so that there is no give in it. You can place it nice and high too. You can also get a small door alarm designed to alert parents when a door in open, these were done to meet code requirements for swimming pools. That one is going to annoy the neighbors though.

Answer 8

My suggestion would be to install a latch on the top part of the door (perhaps at your eye level so that she can't get to it). Your landlord shouldn't have any problems with it since you're really changing the apartment. That way, even if your daughter unlocks the door, she won't be able to open the door as she won't be able to reach. You can get them at any local hardware store.

Another idea would be to install a door chime on door itself. That way you know when the door is open and you can catch her before she gets too far. I know a couple of friends that have a pool and they installed a door chime on the door that leads out there as a safety measure.

Good luck!

Answer 9

!!! ur lucky nuffing happened to her , tell her she is not allowed out there at all , and take her favourite things away from her each time she trys , !!she will soon get the picture , until then keep ur eye on her and if u go to the toilet take her in with u !!, shes young she wont be botherd. Also explain to ur landlord and tell him u need to put locks on the TOP of the doors becasue of this and for personal safety! if not try going to a mothercare kind of shop and ask if theres any more child locks they can reconmend or safety guards ! also tell CPS whats happeneing and see if they can have a word with ur landlord also !this way it looks good on u and they will know u are trying then they will nt be made to take her away cus this cant go on , next time she cud get out and sumone could take her or she could run into the road anything !! GOOD LUCK !

Answer 10

At the hardware store you can buy these movable security alarms. You put it on the door and it will have a siren when the door is opened- if it doesnt scare her out of doing this at least you know she left the apt. Talk with the manager or landlord and see if you can add a lock that needs a key to unlock it( you can wear the key around your neck at home). Or like the other guy said - spank her butt and if you are going to do -do it good so she remembers!!

Answer 11

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