Korean Job Discussion Forums

[hwarangi]

We're on the 7th floor and the windows in our living room and laundry are actually sliding doors (floor to ceiling length).

There are two glass doors and a screen door, but they are all able to be opened. There is a waist-high metal fence/ balustrade fitted outside, but the cat, or indeed a small child, could easily fit through the gaps.

Is there something people install to stop the doors being opened the whole way? Or some kind of fence/ gate I can install over the open window?

I want to leave the windows open for the cat when I go out, but Im afraid she'll break through the screen, or somehow drag the screen open with her claws (I've caught her trying to things like this) and fall out.

This seems so dangerous to me. Surely people with kids must take extra safety measures?

Any suggestions?

[sojukettle]

Lay a broom handle or similar, in the track of the sliding door / screen.
Cut it to length to allow the door to open only the width you desire.

Purchase and attach with kitchen wire ties or similar, a section of shadecloth or other external type fabric to the uprights of the balustrade visible through the open door.

sk.

[Underwaterbob]

Are your screens plastic or wire? If the latter - and they're installed correctly - neither your baby, nor your cat will be getting through them unless they are very, very determined. The stick from the post above will prevent them from being opened.

[Dazed and Confused]

Get some wicker/rattan/bamboo floor mats. The type that are very thin. Then attach them to the outside metal fence on your windows.

[hwarangi]

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone.

I would put a stick/ broom-handle in the screen door runner, except they are on the outside and don't have a runner to retract into.

I can see that someone in the apts opposite us has put a thin wooden panel in front of the screen, so I may do that.

Attaching something to balustrade would still leave a gap at the bottom, I think.

[fermentation]

Do cats regularly jump out of windows? My girlfriend's cats like to sit next to and look out of open windows a lot but them jumping out has never been an issue. Then again, they're terrified of leaving the house period. Maybe if your cat likes going outside it could be a problem.