I feel a breeze in the house so I look around and, sure enough, an outside door is open. This is a new thing. We will call it the open door phase. Literally.
We grew up in the times of screen doors and no air conditioning. The door was shut behind you so the bugs wouldn’t get in. A door could also be shut in a way to express your emotions, but that is another story. In the winter, the door was closed so the warm air wouldn’t escape and the cold air seep in. It was a kind reprimand if you were asked after leaving a door open, “Were you born in a barn?” There were much more dire consequences if you left the door open more than once in a short period of time.
Eventually, we had houses with air conditioning, so then it was just as imperative to keep the outside doors shut. We were warned repeatedly not to waste electricity by leaving the door open.
All those warnings have gone by the wayside now. A door left open is a frequent occurrence and something to be ignored, unless of course the wind is blowing as a second outside door is opened whereby one or both doors will slam shut. Such slams reawaken the taboo on leaving on the door open and someone will be blamed for doing so because he doesn’t recall entering his open door phase. Just accept the blame and keep a closer watch on the open doors. It’s not that much of a loss of electricity and you can swat any bugs that enter. No big deal. Literal open doors don’t matter as much as figurative ones now.
The little things that one never thinks of….
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I think many of us are a little absent minded, when it comes to closing cabinets and drawers, but doors are probably a somewhat greater concern. During the day, you can be conscious of the possibility of an open door, especially if you notice a breeze or a few flies or moths, at this time of year. At night, however, this becomes one more thing for you to check before you can go to bed and sleep comfortably.
Yes, It’s one more thing you never worried about in the past, but now it has become one more thing you must add to your list of responsibilities to keep yourself and your loved-one safe.
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You are absolutely right. I double check all the doors every night
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Would the chain or hook and eye fasteners be a practical deterrent for this issue?
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At this point, he doesn’t wander; he just forgets and leaves the door open. When the time comes, I will invest in whatever it takes to keep him safe.
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