How to Child-Proof and Pet-Proof a Sliding Glass Door
TL;DR: Put a second lock where small hands can't reach — a bolt lock high on the frame is the most reliable. Make sure the door actually latches. And if the door opens onto a pool, Florida law sets specific options for new residential pools.
The latch on a patio door sits at hand height, which is exactly where a curious toddler can reach it. Pets are a different problem: a dog doesn't need to work the latch if the door doesn't latch properly, and a panel that rattles loose in its track can be nosed open. Both have simple, inexpensive fixes.
For children: lock out of reach
- A bolt lock mounted high on the frame is the most reliable option. It pins the sliding panel to the frame, and fitted above a child's reach it stays out of play for years.
- A foot lock at floor level adds a second point of engagement, but older children learn to work it with their feet, so it's better as a second lock than the only one.
- A security bar in the track is effective but slow for adults to remove — not ideal for a door you use all day.
- A door alarm that sounds when the door opens tells you the moment a child gets past everything else.
For pets: make the door latch
Most pet escapes through sliding doors happen because the door wasn't latched, not because the pet defeated the lock. If your door only latches when you lift it, or the handle wobbles, the latch isn't catching reliably — usually because worn rollers have dropped the panel. Fixing the rollers and the latch is the real pet-proofing. A foot lock or bolt lock then keeps a determined dog from sliding even a latched panel.
Doors that open onto a pool
Many Central Florida homes have a sliding door straight onto a pool or lanai. Florida's Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act (Florida Statute 515.27) requires a new residential pool to have at least one of several safety features before it passes final inspection. Two of the options are about the doors themselves: an exit alarm on every door and window with direct access to the pool, or a self-closing, self-latching device on every door with direct access, with the release mechanism no lower than 54 inches above the floor. The other options are a pool barrier, an approved safety pool cover, or a certified pool alarm.
Whatever the age of your pool, the same idea is good practice: a door to the pool area that a young child can't open, and an alarm that tells you if it opens anyway. If your home's pool compliance depends on the doors, check with your local building department before changing hardware.
Keep it an exit. Whatever you add, every adult in the home should be able to open the door quickly from inside in an emergency. High bolt locks and foot locks are fast to release; bars are slower.
Related pages
Frequently asked questions
What's the best way to child-proof a sliding glass door?+
A bolt lock mounted high on the door frame, out of a child's reach, combined with a latch that works reliably. An alarm that sounds when the door opens adds a backup.
What does Florida require for sliding doors that open onto a pool?+
Florida Statute 515.27 requires new residential pools to have at least one safety feature. The door options are an exit alarm on every door and window with direct access to the pool, or self-closing, self-latching devices on those doors with the release at least 54 inches above the floor. A barrier, an approved safety cover or a certified pool alarm can be used instead.
My dog keeps opening the sliding door. What can I do?+
First make sure the door actually latches — if it only latches when lifted, the rollers are worn and the panel has dropped. Then add a foot lock or bolt lock, which holds the panel even if the latch is pushed.
Will a child lock make it hard to get out in a fire?+
It shouldn't, if you choose well. High bolt locks and foot locks release in a second for an adult. Avoid anything that needs a key or tools to open from inside.
Want a lock fitted out of a child's reach? We install bolt locks and foot locks on patio doors.