A small investment for big benefits
Written: Jan 29 '08 (Updated Apr 12 '08)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Dependable. Great for nursing homes, forgetful elderly, and children who wander
Cons: None with the product but you may forget to turn it back on
The Bottom Line: A safety device that I trust. A door alarm that monitors when someone is leaving an area or coming in. Reliable, trustworthy, worth every penny and more!
|
|
|
| pablothegreat's Full Review: Kid Safe Door Alarm Monitor |
My daughter is a child with special needs who is known to flee or elope if given any opportunity. When she was 3 years old, she was eligible to enter the school system in a special needs classroom for 3 half days a week. Even though I felt this would be good for her, I worried about her safety and asked that safety precautions be written into her IEP. One such safety precaution was an alarm on the door so she did not get out of the classroom without anyone noticing. I did purchase this item for the classroom as the door alarm that they wanted to purchase would have taken weeks to order and get in. I purchased the Kid Safe Door Monitor online as it looked perfect for our situation: classroom full of children and only 2 adults watching them. We only needed an alert in case my daughter tried to leave so the teachers would look up from helping other children and redirect her back into the classroom.
I sat in the classroom for a week straight and once a week thereafter for a month to make sure everything was going well and my daughter was adjusting to this new noisy, busy classroom environment. She did not know anyone there so I was concerned that she would regress and be highly upset by it. My daughter is really sensitive to noises, she will cover her ears and hide. One concern that we had was if the alarm would cause her to meltdown. We needed the alarm set to the "loud 120 dB alarm" instead of the more pleasant chiming option as the classroom does get busy and the teacher's attention could be focused on other areas of the room. The first time that my daughter heard the alarm, she was very frightened and upset, covering her ears and looking to escape. This actually turned out to be a good thing for this product as she did not try to get out again. It upset her so badly, she did not want to open the door at all and would wait until others safely opened the door to let her out. The sound of the 120 dB alarm was very loud in the small classroom and with the high ceilings there was a bit of echo. The teachers in fact did not like the alarm as it was so loud but it did get their attention quickly to know a child was getting out of the room.
One issue that they complained about was getting visitors and visitors opening the door and the alarm sounding. So we made a sign for visitors to knock first so the alarm could be shut off. The door alarm was easy to turn on and off with just a push of the button. It was installed with the tiny screws that came with it so it would be more sturdy but the website states that double sided tape can be used as well. The 2 Contact Points were installed with the included screws as well, one on each side of the door so when the door was opened, the alarm would know to sound. The maintenance person at the school had no trouble easily installing the unit and installed it high enough for the kids not to be able to touch it. It comes with a 3 year warranty and requires a 12 volt battery which is included.
The pleasant chime will only sound 3 times while the louder alarm option will sound until the door is closed again. We had it set to sound the alarm while the door was open and not shut off until either the alarm was turned off or the door was closed. This unit is small, smaller than my hand.
I would buy this product in a heartbeat for our own home if we needed it. So far, the slide locks at the top of our doors are too high for my daughter to reach. Once she is taller, I will be purchasing this product for our home as well.
Other safety items that I have reviewed, click on each to find out what it is and what it does: http://www.epinions.com/review/Lid_Lok_Toilet_Safety_Latch/content_416433409668 http://www.epinions.com/review/Fridge_Guard_by_Parent_Units_White/content_416431246980 http://www.epinions.com/review/Safe_Lok_Cabinet_and_Drawer_Locks/content_416430591620 http://www.epinions.com/review/Kid_Safe_Door_Alarm_Monitor/content_416428166788 http://www.epinions.com/review/16_Kidsafe_Driveway_Guard/content_416424365700 http://www.epinions.com/review/Ionkids_Child_Monitoring_System_Starter_Kit/content_416308629124 http://www.epinions.com/review/Mommy_s_Helper_Kid_Keeper_Safety_Harness/content_416309350020 http://www.epinions.com/review/Safety_1st_Clear_Grip_Door_Knob_Covers_3_pk/content_425903820420 http://www.epinions.com/review/Beddiebye_Zip_Around_Safety_Blanket_Small_Microfleece/content_416436162180
What is so good about THIS product?
The Kid Safe Door Monitor is great for wandering alzheimer patients, nursing homes, daycares, children's classrooms, homes, and businesses. It works well. A little loud but the chiming option is a great option to have! Sometimes you need a loud alarm in cases of children getting out unattended! Very dependable door alarm that works each and every time the door is open unless it is turned off.
What is unique about this product?
No plug in or electrician installation required, easy set-up, uses batteries.
Is it worth the price?
Absolutely! It is cheap at around $19.95!
What does this product look like?
Silver or off white in color, small, 2 contacts for each side of the door or window, base unit connects to one of the contacts. Base unit has the battery compartment and the on/off button. Mounts with screws which are included or double sided tape which is not.
There has to be some bad to this product, right?
Not with the product but with people using it--they are likely to turn it off and forget to turn it back on!
Where can I find this product?
I have only seen it online.
Any warnings people should be aware of?
Watch that people do not turn it off and forget to turn it back on!
For more information:
www.techko.com
Final verdict:
A safety device that I trust. A door alarm that monitors when someone is leaving an area or coming in. Reliable, trustworthy, worth every penny and more!
pablo the overprotective
A danger foreseen is half avoided." http://www.safetycenter.navy.mil/media/pod/quotes.htm
"Be proactive--not reactive--towards safety."
http://www.safetycenter.navy.mil/media/pod/quotes.htm
My entry into the Best Little Writeoff Contest: http://www.epinions.com/content_5141209220 A small investment for big benefits
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID: pablothegreat
|
- Top 1000 |
|
Location: Around Back
Reviews written: 919
Trusted by: 87 members
About Me: Writing up a storm...
|
|
|