How to Lock a Door That Has No Lock
Locks fall into the category of things that you don’t notice until you disappear. Take public toilets, for example: you usually walk in, close the door behind you, and lock it without thinking. But if you walk into the stall and find the lock is broken, it can turn into a stressful situation as you try to urinate while holding the door closed.
And this is just one of many situations where not blocking can be a source of concern. In an article for BobVila.com, Timothy Dale proposes a range of solutions to keep your unlocked door closed and secure. Here are some examples that might come in handy one day.
How to lock a door with a belt or rope
If you are in a situation where there is no working lock and the door has a lever handle, a simple strap or rope can provide a workaround. “Just attach one end of a strap or rope to a handle and the other to a stationary object,” writes Dale . “Consider using two straps to completely prevent movement where the handle can open both up and down.”
How to lock a door with a stop
You already know how the door stop keeps the door open – remember that it works in the opposite direction as well. Instead of wedging it under an open door, stick a stop under the closed door from the side that opens inward.
But keep in mind that this method has some disadvantages, namely that it only works on one side of the door, and that some people are strong enough to break the door even if the door stop is installed. If you use this on the outside door, you can add another type of temporary backup lock.
How to lock the door with a fork
Take out your inner MacGyver and use a fork to create a temporary lock on the door that opens inward. The instructions for doing this are a little tricky, so here’s how Dale explains it in his article on BobVila.com :
To secure the door, bend the prongs of the fork so that the tips of the teeth fit into the door latch and the rest of the fork can comfortably remain in the gap between the door and the door frame when the door is closed. Open the door and remove the plug, then break off the fork handle. Insert the fork head back into the door latch as before, making sure the curved teeth are securely attached to the door latch, then close the door. With the door closed, push the fork handle through your fingers, creating a horizontal barrier that prevents the door from opening inward.
How to lock a door with the back of a chair
You’ve probably seen this technique in TV shows or movies, but it can work in some real-life situations as well. First, make sure the chair you are using is strong enough. Then place it at an angle so that the top of the chair rests snugly against the doorknob while keeping both legs of the chair firmly on the ground, Dale notes .