New problem, New Concern

[NiniMorris]

OK, I'm pretty confident about the majority of our trip. My TBI son has now displayed a new problem. due to his medicines, he no longer sleeps more than a few hours a night.
Last night, he only slept for 2 hours. During the time we THOUGHT he was asleep, he managed to get outside during a rain storm, made a visit to my locked studio and got into some of my decorative paints, and made a trip to the garage, where he decided our deep freeze needed a new paint job!

The worst part is, my husband works nights, so he was actually up during this time and did not notice!

We are staying at CBR, and have asked for a ground floor. Since he can unlock any lock, I am concerned about him getting out during the night! We talked this morning, and I don't think he really sees that his nocturnal 'trips' are a problem! He said he was bored, and he was trying to find something to do. My husband thinks he will be too tired from Disney to give us any problems at the resort, but I know better! He doesn't get any naps now and is going non stop all day. Since we will be using a stroller part of the time, I actually expect him to be MORE rested after a day at Disney!

Any suggestions on keeping us aware of when he is more likely to try and escape? I thought of bells on the door handle. I use that now for the inside of my bedroom door, so I can tell when he is going someplace he shouldn't go. But I don't think that will work as he will be able to get to the bells and remove them. I've heard of door alarms you can get for hotel rooms, but don't have a clue where to look for one or even if it would work.

Help??

Thanks,

Jeanne Morris

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

Any suggestions on keeping us aware of when he is more likely to try and escape? I thought of bells on the door handle.

IIRC, the doors in Disney resorts open INTO the room. Can you park something heavy in front of the door -- suitcase, stroller -- with bells on it that would ring if he tried to move them?

Hanging bells *above* the door might be a solution if your escape artist isn't tall enough to reach them. 3M makes hooks (like these, available from Staples) that are designed to stick to just about anything and you could hang a bunch of bells so the opening door would ring them, like an old-fashioned shop....

When we were staying at Pop one time, we solved two problems with our DS; falling out of bed *and* opening the door by putting his mattress on the floor between the door and the bedframe.

However, on our last few trips, he's been so tuckered out from our long days in the park that neither have been an issue....

 

[BeckyScott]

We used to have these all over our house:
http://www.asseenontv.com/prod-pages/first_alert_alarm_system.html

They're made by First Alert and when they do go off they sound like a smoke detector! We had them on the doors and the no-no cabinet. We put them at the top of the doors, rather than to the side, so they would be out of reach.

As far as the hotel room, though... they come with a sticky-back. And it sticks very well. So unless you want to be charged for damages, I don't guess you'd want to stick on there. Maybe there's a work-around though, double-stick tape? Or that putty stuff they make for posters?

Anyway, they're cheap and work well, and I'd get some for your house anyway, do some experimenting to see if you can get one to stick temporarily without damaging the wall...

edited to add: I see that link no longer sells them, but you can find them elsewhere on the web, and sometimes even places like Lowe's.

 

[Schmeck]

If you do 'alarm' your room, how loud will it be? Will it wake up the people in the next room as well?

Can your son manipulate the door knob covers that are supposed to make it hard for a small child to open a door?

What if you tell him that if he leaves the room the vacation is over - you are taking him home. Would he be able to understand that?

Barricading a door is most likely against fire code. If there was an emergency and the door was blocked, you could all be killed.

 

[OneLittleSpark]

I think some kind of electric alarm, right up out of reach, might be a good idea. You can get them from all sorts of places, for various purposes, like stopping kids opening doors, or letting people know if you're sneaking a midnight snack. You could use that sticky stuff that isn't supposed to leave a mark. I've forgotten what it's called now, but I think it's made by 3M. If you do use these, though, make sure there is someway to deactivate it easily, so you don't give Mousekeeping a heart attack when they come to clean the room!

Otherwise, a simple bell above the door might be good, as long as you're not sound sleepers.

I wouldn't recommend putting something heavy in front of the door, in case you need to get out quickly in an emergency.

How tall is he? Because the security catches (the ones that stop the door opening more than about an inch) on the doors are reasonably high up. Can't remember exactly how high, but if you called the resort, I'm sure they'd be happy to measure it for you.

Good luck and I hope you find a good solution!

 

[NiniMorris]

While my son is only 6, he can reach much higher than I thought he could. he is very resourceful! (Doctor says that is a GOOD thing!) I have not met a lock he could not manipulate in just a matter of minutes, and those door knob covers are a joke. He can open then twice as fast as I can!

While I am not a light sleeper, hubby is. We will probably have him and me share a bed and his sister and Dad share a bed. Most times, I have been able to 'feel' him getting out of bed, however, he has started getting sneakier. Telling him the vacation is over if he goes out will not work with him. Just imagine telling a 2 year old that. It would probably make a 2 year old want to try it just to see if it would work. Yes, that is the way his mind works! LOL

Husband has a friend that does security 'stuff'. He gives advice on different security measures for people, so he is going to check to see if he could reccommend one of those personal security devices I've seen advertised. I've heard they do not really work as well as the infomercials say. (imagine that!)

Thanks for all the suggestions and advice. If you come up with more, let me know. We don't leave until the 23rd!

Jeanne Morris

 

[Schmeck]

While my son is only 6, he can reach much higher than I thought he could. he is very resourceful! (Doctor says that is a GOOD thing!) I have not met a lock he could not manipulate in just a matter of minutes, and those door knob covers are a joke. He can open then twice as fast as I can!

While I am not a light sleeper, hubby is. We will probably have him and me share a bed and his sister and Dad share a bed. Most times, I have been able to 'feel' him getting out of bed, however, he has started getting sneakier. Telling him the vacation is over if he goes out will not work with him. Just imagine telling a 2 year old that. It would probably make a 2 year old want to try it just to see if it would work. Yes, that is the way his mind works! LOL

Husband has a friend that does security 'stuff'. He gives advice on different security measures for people, so he is going to check to see if he could reccommend one of those personal security devices I've seen advertised. I've heard they do not really work as well as the infomercials say. (imagine that!)

Thanks for all the suggestions and advice. If you come up with more, let me know. We don't leave until the 23rd!

Jeanne Morris

Now I remember reading the other thread about your son - I didn't make that connection before! Sorry! Definitely won't work to tell him not to leave, you're right, if he's developmentally 2 yrs old, he's at that stage where he has to do it just to see the results!

Could the pediatrican prescribe him a sedative to help him sleep more at night? And I don't mean this as you should drug him out so he won't escape, but so that he gets enough rest to be able to cope with a long day at WDW. If there's an added benefit that he doesn't get into a dangerous situation at night, that would be good, though, right? Two of the special needs students I have met were prescribed a mild sedative at night, and it really made a difference for them and their families!

 

[mickey&minniealways]

Before you put anlything on the doors or windows as a sort of alarm check with the resort first to make sure that it is okay. Also make sure that some of the cm's know who he is that way there are at least a few people who know where to return him to incase he does manage to escape.

 

[ireland_nicole]

The best door alarm we've found is on acehardware.com search under keywork door alarm and the techko door chime/alarm. We have three and use them every day. They just go over a door handle, or you could put it on the floor in front of the door too. They're very sensitive to movement, and you have the option of the chime (which will wake you up) or the alarm (which will wake your wing of the hotel up.) Love it! it's 11.99 and ships to your house. Hope it helps you have a great trip!
LOL Nicole

correction: keyword: door alarm and then the techko alarm will pop onto the screen.
Sorry, Fibro brain fog again
Nicole

 

[SueM in MN]

You could use that sticky stuff that isn't supposed to leave a mark. I've forgotten what it's called now, but I think it's made by 3M.

It's made by 3M and is called Command adhesive. It does work very well and comes off without a problem as long as you follow the removal directions and pull it straight down.

It's too late for me to think of anything else, but I'll try to come up with something.
I agree with the others who suggested you want something loud enough to wake you, but not loud enough to wake all your neighbors at the resort.

 

[Forevryoung]

A just in case idea:

Bring Hanes white undershirts and a sharpie

When you get your room number, write on the shirt in large print:

"please return me to room ****"

Have him sleep in one every night. That way at least if he DOES get out, the first person to find him can return him/take him in the right direction toward your room

 

[OneLittleSpark]

Thank you Sue, the name had escaped me!

 

[NiniMorris]

A just in case idea:

Bring Hanes white undershirts and a sharpie

When you get your room number, write on the shirt in large print:

"please return me to room ****"

Have him sleep in one every night. That way at least if he DOES get out, the first person to find him can return him/take him in the right direction toward your room

I LOVE this idea!

Doc has declined giving a sedative until we see her, not until after we get back... but said we could try Benedryl or seratonin. We have gotten some and will try tonight...just to make sure it works! (it makes some kids more hyper)

I'm about to go out shpping for a personal security system for the trip, as well as some for the house. The current alarm system does not work for my upstairs studio or the garage area (only if he were to open the outside door) or for the 'basement' apartment where the family room and school room are. I'm afraid he might try to visit there at night as well... can't use the hook lock anymore, someone does sleep down there !

Thanks for all the suggestions, and laughs as well!


Jeanne Morris

 

[Coll0610]

Would something like this work?

http://www.magellans.com/store/Safety___Security___Intruder_AlarmsSP643?Args=

It's a door stop that will sound if someone tries to open the door. But if he's smart enough to figure out locks, he'll probably be able to figure out how to turn this off.

 

[SueM in MN]

I saw this alarm system at Target today.
It's in-expensive and can be set to either a 90 decibel alarm (which your neighbors would not appreciate) or a chime (which may not wake you).
Part of it attaches to the door and part to the doorframe. As long as the two pieces are close together, it does not make a sound. When the door opens and they separate, the alarm sounds. You can also turn it off and on.
You could mount it quite high on the door where he can't reach.
It is meant to be permanently attached, but it looked like you would be able to mount it onto the door and the doorframe using some of the Command adhesive. They also have that in Target; look in the area with hooks and picture mounting things.

I don't know how you would make him keep this on, but an alarm like this that sounds when the child gets too far away from the 'parent' unit would let you know if he gets away. I can't find the one I was looking for (it's too late to think), but I have seen other ones that have a 'bracelet' that the child wears that is fairly tamper proof to get off.

 

[jenn-n-okla]

You might check with Special relations and see if they have something that they use for Deaf people. Some of those will make the lights come on if the door is open or if someone rings a doorbell. Other than the bell over the door is the only other thing I can think of.

 

[Selket]

I'm just wondering if getting a rollaway bed from housekeeping and putting that in front of the door - with one of the parents sleeping on it - would be the easiest. It would also be impossible for him to sneak out. I realize it might not be the most comfortable. It seems like if there was a fire emergency you could still get out. I would think the rollaway usually has to go somewhere between the bed and the door anyway.

Good luck with your vacation - sounds like you've gotten some good ideas.

 

[SueM in MN]

You might check with Special relations and see if they have something that they use for Deaf people. Some of those will make the lights come on if the door is open or if someone rings a doorbell. Other than the bell over the door is the only other thing I can think of.

We have been in an accessible room before that had the 'package' of items that they provide for use by people who are hearing impaired.
It includes a strobe light and a loud sound that comes on when the doorbell or phone rings (or fire alarm goes off). There would not be anything I know of that would go off when the door opens.

I'm just wondering if getting a rollaway bed from housekeeping and putting that in front of the door - with one of the parents sleeping on it - would be the easiest. It would also be impossible for him to sneak out.

I had thought of a rollaway, but couldn't figure out how it would keep him in the room.
I think your suggestion is great (maybe not the most comfortable, but certainly effective).

 

[flynnmnstr]

HE was big enough to open the locks and door but didn't have the skills or ability to realize going out by himself was dangerous. We were struggling at the time of him going on "outdoor" adventures too. I love the idea of the tshirts with the room number on them; I may do that with both of my boys, between the two of them we are deathly afraid we are going to lose one of them this year.

Anyway, we were in a suite at the Dolphin and were very nervous because it had its own door to the hallway. The whole point of us having a suite was so that he could have his own room; he really struggles sleeping in a hotel but especially with other people in the room.

We locked both locks and put a table in front of the door. We also placed a monitor right next to the door, but that was because he was in a different room. I think with two locks and table or chair in front of the door, you would be bound to hear him if he tried to get out, espcially since the door is going to be right next to your bed (we found the locks to be pretty noisy). He won't be familiar with the locks and with all those people in one hotel room one of you is bound to hear him rummaging around. Another idea is to see if the one of the beds can be pushed against the wall and have him sleep inside against the wall, that will make it more difficult to get out of bed undetected.

The other thing is could you set up an area in the room with activities he enjoys doing and explain to him, If you wake up and it is still night time, you can come over here and play with this stuff. Maybe even start doing it at home in a corner of his room. Our younger son (now 3) was going through this stage last year, he was waking at 4:30-5am and our older son (and us)typically woke up at the earliest 6:30, more likely 7am; we needed to find a way to keep him occupied, upstairs and quiet. Luckily he was still young enough where are baby proofing was still keeping him confined to the upstairs. We did set up an area in our sitting room. There were a few toys (that he only played with upstairs) and a flashlight to make it more fun. Do you think getting him some new activities would work to keep him busy and let you know he was awake.

The rollaway bed is an excellent idea but comfort is a factor and they really do take up a lot of space in the room.

Good luck. And have a fun trip. Oh yeah we still do strollers for both of our boys on gets the Maclaren Major the other still fits in the regular Maclaren and even with stilling in the stroller they are wiped out by bedtime which always seems to be 11pm or later every night, even when we try to plan early evenings.

Lauren