From Latch to Lock

We installed this latch on our driveway gate about 4 years ago. It ensures that our back yard is completely enclosed, and it's well out of the kids' reach, which means the kids can't wander in and out without our knowledge or consent. Or so we thought.

Soon after the latch was installed, 3Po and Jammy (who were about 18 months old at the time) were out in the yard playing with their Little Tykes Cozy Coupe ride-on cars. I was indoors and I heard lots of banging on the gate. I figured they were having fun ramming the cars into the gate and thought nothing of it. Then all was quiet for about 5 minutes..... too quiet. I went outside and discovered that they had been banging the gate in order to flip the latch. The latch had lifted, the gate had opened, and they were off, laughing and riding their cars on the sidewalk.

After that incident, we always made sure we threaded a padlock through the hole so that it would never accidentally flip again. And the latch became a lock. Lesson learned: do not underestimate a toddler who wants to escape.

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