Caution: Stateroom doors and Young Kids. (long)

[tammy bell]

This happened to us when we were vacationg 2 years ago at a resort. We had just checked in and everyone was unpacking. My father had left the room to get ice. he locked the door behind him but it was very easy to open from the inside. My 2 year old Dnephew left the room without anyone noticing (it only takes a split second). Thankfully, my father was still at the ice machine and saw him walk right by. After that, we had so much stuff in front of the door that we would havew been trouble if there was a fire (LOL). We just thank God that it all worked out fine and we can laugh about it now.

 

[piglet33]

I've been checking out these portable locks for our door when we go. There are SOOO many to choose from. How do you know which one to get? Some say fits most doors. I wonder if they'll fit DCL's doors. Has anyone purchased one of these before and if so, where did you get it? This does seem like a really good idea especially if you have little ones.

Thanks,

Renee'

 

[piglet33]

Just wanted to post that I just bought this door lock from QVC.

http://www.qvc.com/asp/frameset.asp...mes=y&referrer=QVC&txtDesc= V18489&Submit4=Go

It seems pretty good. I should have it sometime next week. I'll try it out and see how it is. Too bad they sell them in a two pack since I only need one. QVC also has another lock too, but I think I'll like this one better since it's smaller.

Renee'

 

[Monchichi]

Originally posted by 4nana
Thanks! Very scary! Our door took a lot of pressure to push open. I cannot imagine a 2 yo opening a heavy metal door.

~ Sandie

My thoughts also, even I had a hard time with them to get the room service trays out.

-Steph

 

[Tinkmom]

Originally posted by piglet33
One other thing that I was wondering about. Once she opened the door and walked out of the room, did she hold the door to keep it from banging shut? I know our door would slam shut very loudly if I didn't slow it down when shutting it. Interesting that Grandma didn't hear the door slam.....

That is EXACTLY what I thought. One, the door IS heavy and many kids could not open it. Once open, though, unless you are fairly careful in closing it it will slam. Grandma must sleep like the dead, or else that two-year-old was both extremely strong AND deliberately trying to sneak out, which I find a little hard to believe. I just don't want everyone scared to death to think that it is easy for a tiny one to get out while you are sleeping. Personally I sleep very lightly (often wish I didn't) and I know when people roll over in the cabin, much less go to the bathroom or leave the room.

It is great that this incident ended well. Those who haven't cruised, though, please understand that it would take an unusual combination of factors for this to occur. I hate to think that a parent is now terrified that their toddler can just waltz out of the room unbeknownst to them. That is not the case.

 

[CAMICKEY]

Tinkmom - I totally agree with your comments. The same is true for excess worrying about Verandah cabins and kids falling overboard (don't believe this has happened ever yet on DCL). Yes it could happen but the chances are so remote, it is not likely. Will it stop people from fretting though - probably not. I know I worried when we had our first Verandah cabin with our DS5 at the time. I no longer worry about this as long as DW and I just pay attention. - Mike

 

[HooKooDooKu]

One other thing that I was wondering about. Once she opened the door and walked out of the room, did she hold the door to keep it from banging shut? I know our door would slam shut very loudly if I didn't slow it down when shutting it. Interesting that Grandma didn't hear the door slam.....

I think ya'll are still thinking too much like adults...

These little ones can't move that fast, especially while trying to negotiate getting through a door with a very strong spring. I would be willing to bet that the girl only got the door open just enough for her to slip through. And even then, the door probably tried to "close" on her and sort of pushed her along as it tried to close. So it most likely didn't slam AT ALL.

So most likely, the only noise this little girl made leaving the room was the sound of the deadbolt clicking open, and the click of the door latch closing once the door was closed (and even that noise doesn't occur on some doors when they don't close all because they are closed slowly).

So don't blame grandma either. I think it is total possible for a little child to slip out so quietly that you might not hear it if your back is turned and you're in the far side of the cabin.

If I'm right, then that might also mean that the idea of putting bells on the door might also not be enough. If your sound asleep, will the slight jingle be enough to wake you?

 

[dclnut]

I have cruised 2x with Disney and while we LOVED them, we noticed the problem with the doors/lack of locks (we have 1 small child). While there is a "dead bolt" on the door, it opens when you turn the door handle..........we were not impressed! Both times, we put our very large suitcase in front of the door, so our child could not get out.

 

[my3kids]

Love the bell idea for Christmas surprises!!

 

[crisi]

Sometimes Grandma's don't hear so well and are a little out of practice at being hyper aware.

I don't think my kids would have been able to get out at that age because I would wake up when they'd breathe too loud. They are 4 and 5 now, I still wake up to coughs, potty trips in the middle of the night.

Every year several toddlers let themselves out nationwide. A few years ago, one froze to death in Minnesota after letting himself out in the middle of the night. At least the ship is a fairly safe place - someone is likely to find the child before the child finds the pool.

 

[KennyK]

I'm going to bounce this back up to the top as there is a new thread about taking todlers on the ship. I thought they might be interested in this posting.


kennyk, Cindy_k's dad