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Photo by Beanz
If you've got a dog or a cat, pet doors can be quite convenient and millions of animal owners have installed them. The problem is, these doors aren't as toddler friendly. In the past ten years, more than a hundred children have died or been seriously hurt after getting through a pet door and into a swimming pool or other not-so-safe place.
One mom, Carole Rafone, is suing the manufacturer of PetSafe doors because her 2-year-old son Matthew got out of the house through a pet door, made his way straight to the backyard swimming pool and drowned. Rafone thinks the company had an obligation to warn parents of this danger on their product's packaging and instructions.
If you want a pet door, consider getting an electronic one that opens when activated by a device attached to your dog or cat's collar.
Do you have a pet door? Do you worry about your toddler getting through it?
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Comments (28)
we have a kitty door and so far so good. My kids are 2 1/2 and 4 1/2 and have NEVER tried to squeeze thru there. I think because it has a function and they know what that function is.....for the cats to come in and out NOT them. I babysit a little boy tho that is 3 and he is small because he was a preemie, anyway he used the doggie door to escape at his grandparents house. His mom caught him just in time to see him wandering around the in ground swimming pool...thats scary.
Ok, this will probably not be a popular response but here it goes.
That mother has no right to sue. Yes kids are sneaky and can get away in a blink of an eye, but it was her responsibility to watch her child. Also why wasn't there a safety fence around the pool? I understand things can happen, but as the parents, we are responsible for our kids, not some company.
WOW....I had this exact fear! Although my baby is still in my tummy.....But dang! Even the ones that have something on the animals collar, what happends if the baby follows the dog? Baby will still be able to get out
Pet doors are really not even a good idea for PETS most of the time, but this is another great reason to axe the doggy door.
We have a dog door and yes, our 2.5 yr old goes out of it now and then. We do NOT have a swimming pool or anything that dangerous, and the back yard is fenced. If he does go out the dog door I'm right there watching him. He is not unsupervised for more than a minute or two at a time, and for that minute or two I'm listening for whatever he might get into. The dog door can be heard through most of the house if you're listening for it. We also have a hard cover that can be slid in over the dog door if needed. It's not completely kid-proof, but would take my son a while to remove. While I feel sorry for the family, I think the problem here was not enough supervision.
Seriously people! Watch your children! Put a fence around the pool, put a baby gate up to keep kids out of the room with the doggy door, and watch your kids! I hate when people sue for their own stupidity. It's terrible that the child died, but would a warning on the box have really made a difference? How could the family have not thought about this before hand? This is why my coffee cup tells me it's hot..
Ok, this will probably not be a popular response but here it goes.
That mother has no right to sue. Yes kids are sneaky and can get away in a blink of an eye, but it was her responsibility to watch her child. Also why wasn't there a safety fence around the pool? I understand things can happen, but as the parents, we are responsible for our kids, not some company.
BethStaton May. 21, 2009 at 12:02 PM
I agree with Beth
We installed a (small) cat door in the basement door. We have never had a problem except for the kids sticking things through it. I fully agree with what BethStaton and toriandgrace stated.
I agree with BethStaton and toriandgrace also
She is just suing because she wants to blame someone else for her irresponsiblity. My DD (18mo) opens my door should I sue the manufacturer because there is no warning on it that toddlers can open it? No. I just have to watch my kid.