Finger Guard for Patio Doors: How to Keep Sliding and French Doors Child-Safe

10 Sep Finger Guard for Patio Doors: How to Keep Sliding and French Doors Child-Safe

Enjoying the garden as an extension of the home is something we’re all fond of! For many people, their patio doors are a gateway to the garden, yet these installations aren’t the most child friendly. There are however precautions you can take to make sliding, French, bi-fold and other patio door types as child-safe as possible. In most circumstances, this starts with our finger guards…

French doors

French doors are a beautiful architectural feature found in many homes and, as well as being fitted internally, are used as external doors leading to patios. They require regular maintenance to stay in tip top condition, with their hinges and locks particularly prone to problems without the right care. Thankfully, The Specialist in Traditional Sash Windows is here to share their advice on French door and hinge maintenance:

“The hinges and locks on your French doors need regular lubrication to function smoothly for both functionality and security. Use silicone-based lubricants to keep these parts moving freely. This will prevent squeaking and ensure that your doors open and close effortlessly. French doors can add so much to your home, from how they look to the way they offer seamless access to your garden, so they should never be a hindrance or source of annoyance.”

Those hinges can also be a source of danger, but we can help mitigate the hazards associated with French door hinges. Our MK1C finger guard is made for such tasks, and is specifically designed for external uPVC doors.

It’s easy to install, with its length able to be cut to size for the perfect fit. This model uses the concertina module to keep your French doors safe, concealing troublesome hinge gaps and ejecting wandering fingers all while allowing easy access to the hinges within for door maintenance.

Bifold doors

If you have bi-fold doors leading out to your patio, then you don’t have to let safety fall by the wayside. We’ve revised the design of our MK1C guard for bifold and flush fit doors to provide a reliable and easy to fit door safety solution. In fact, it is one of the top childproofing essentials no home should be without!

Unlike the MK1C guard for uPVC doors, the bifold alternative allows for 180 degrees of operation. It utilises a modified concertina front module and unique fixing strip to guarantee no resistance or restriction for extended door openings, while protecting the full length of your bifold doors.

Our bifold MK1C finger guard can be used across commercial and domestic applications for an anti-trapping device that puts safety first every time.

Sliding doors

While we pride ourselves on providing door safety solutions for 99% of today’s door types, our finger guards are not suitable for sliding doors.

There are a few ways you can boost safety for your sliding doors to keep your family safe. We recommend the use of childproof locks on sliding doors, while adding shatter-resistant film can enhance safety and security further. Alarms and sensors can also be installed on sliding patio doors.

The best solution for sliding patio door safety is education. Talk to your child about how your sliding doors should be used to ensure safe opening and closing for the long haul.

Patio door safety

Keeping your patio doors safe and secure is possible with our finger guards. With the installation of our French door and bifold protectors taking just minutes, you can improve safety for all the family in this traditionally dangerous area.

Contact us today to explore your options or take a look at our latest brochure.