Q&A for How to Lock a Door

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  • Question
    What can I do if the chair is too small?
    Community Answer
    Get a bigger chair, if possible, or get a piece of wood and nail it horizontally across your door on both sides.
  • Question
    How can I lock my door when other people have a key?
    Community Answer
    You could install an interior door latch, something that you physically latch when you are inside to keep you safe. If you are in an unsafe situation and people are using their keys to gain access to your room either with the intent to hurt you or steal from you, call your nation's emergency number.
  • Question
    What if my chair is easy to break?
    Community Answer
    Don't use that chair. Find another chair that won't have as much of a chance of breaking.
  • Question
    How can I lock a door without a lock?
    Community Answer
    Use the chair method, or method 3.
  • Question
    Is there a way to use a folding chair?
    Community Answer
    No, because it would fall down since it can fold down. Use a chair that is sturdy and cannot fold.
  • Question
    What if you don't have a chair?
    Community Answer
    Try blocking the door with another heavy object. Try tying the doorknob tightly to a fixed object. Consider whether there's anywhere else to go. If you have the the time and money to do so, you can even replace the doorknob with a lockable knob!
  • Question
    What can I do if the door doesn't have a knob?
    Community Answer
    Try blocking the door with another heavy object. If you have the the time and money, install a lockable knob!
  • Question
    How can I fix a bathroom door lock? I don't have money to hire someone.
    Community Answer
    Unfortunately, a bathroom lock is quite complicated for someone who doesn't have the experience to fix it. It also would require many different tools that you may or may not have. Either save up for it or see if you have any connections with handy people who could help you out.
  • Question
    I live in a nursing home. There's no lock or anything on the handle, just a plain handle. Most people need assistance to get around, but one doesn't, she can snoop anywhere. What should I do?
    Community Answer
    You can use the chair as described in Step 3, or you can talk to the nursing home staff about your concerns. If you're worried about her going through your things, you could get a locker or safe to keep your private/valuable items stowed away.
  • Question
    What do you do if the chair is much taller than the doorknob is high?
    Community Answer
    Find a shorter chair, or use a similarly sturdy object: a table, or a stepladder, or even a strong piece of wood.
  • Question
    Can someone still get in if I prop a chair under the doorknob to lock it from the inside?
    Community Answer
    It depends on the chair, how heavy it is, and how well you've got it propped under there. Most likely it will work, but there's no guarantee.
  • Question
    What if my door has a handle instead of a knob, and the lock is broken?
    Community Answer
    You can still put a chair under the handle. If people try to push the handle down, it won't go.
  • Question
    What do I do if I don't have a doorknob on my door and want to keep people out of my room?
    Community Answer
    If you can buy a small wedge-shaped door stopper, you could jam it into the bottom of the door, which would prevent others from entering. You can probably improvise with small objects from around the house if you can't buy one.
  • Question
    For some reason, my bedroom door does not have a lock and it allows my little niece to come in whenever she wants! I love her, but it’s getting annoying! How can I prevent this?
    Iforgotmyoldpass
    Community Answer
    You could talk to your parents about getting a lock or install one yourself (considering you’re an adult), make a sign on the door like ‘do not come in’ and if she is little enough, you can give her a time-out for ignoring it.
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