Parents, Help please

[Babyblue5290]

So I need some input from those who are currently parents of young children, or who have been parents of young children. I have a school project to design a child safety device to attach to a sliding door (such as a sliding glass patio door) that keeps the child from leaving, but allows easy access for the adults. Children are defined as being 4-5yrs or under, basically kids that are mobile but unable to go places unattended.

Basically a product similair to these:
http://www.toysrus.com/buy/door-window-safety/safety-1st-sliding-door-child-lock-hs012-4447521

http://www.amazon.com/KidCo-S310-Sliding-Door-Locks/dp/B000067Q6K

This class is more about design and graphics, but it needs to be functional, at least in theory. So, being a group of children-less people (lol) I need some input.

-What is essential to you when looking for such a device? -Reliability, durability, cost effective, other? What is the most important part?

-What would be a deal breaker? -Metal hardwear, can't open super easily or complicated, costly, sharp edges, or other? What would make you look at the product and, even if it worked, you would say "no way"?

- Do you need any special amenities to it? By this I mean, would it be helpful if you could open it with one hand? How about with a foot? What about having some kind of noise to let you know when it's closed? Or a noise when it's open?
AND how important are those extra things?

Or pretty much any other advice you guys can give me for this would be super helpful.

I meet again with my group tomorrow to go over the plans (we just got assigned groups today) and our questions/suggestions by others must be turned in by Friday. Pretty much I'm looking for any idea's suggestions that would make building this thing a bit easier. Such as "Oh, I would love to have a sound when the door is closed so I didn't worry about it being open." or pretty much anything, no matter how small.


Thanks!! ^_^

 

[JennSLK]

I like the idea of a sound when it's open.

Not sure about a design though. Most kids at that age can open anything a parent can get open at least Katie anyways.

Sharp edges are a no.

 

[ruffiangirl]

I would pay more for something reliable that chimed when opened. I would also rather use two hands then making it easier so a child could figure it out sooner. You can not count on height when dealing with kids, they learn pretty early how to move and stand on...well anything from chairs to drawers to dogs.

 

[MicksMom]

My two cents (without having looked at the links)- I'd prefer something two fold- some kind of alert sound (something more attention getting than a chime), and also something like the childproof latches they make for cabinet drawers.

 

[milos_mommy]

A good idea would be to make the sound optional, a bell or something that has an on-off switch.