Prevent Door Slamming to Avoid Finger Pinch

kaleidoscope on 19/10/2025 - 20:30

G’day everyone,

I’ve got a bit of a safety issue at home and hoping someone’s dealt with something similar.

We have a side entry door from the garage into the house that opens inwards. During summer, when the evaporative cooler is running, the positive air pressure in the house causes this door to slam shut with a lot of force if it’s left open even for a few seconds.

Unfortunately, this has caught my little one’s fingers a few times over the past few years — absolutely awful to witness and something I really want to prevent from happening again. As careful as we try to be, it’s just not 100% avoidable, especially now that the younger one is following their older sibling.

So, I’m looking for a practical way to dampen the closing and opening of this door. It opens inward to about 170 degrees.

I’ve looked into automatic door closers at Bunnings, but the person I spoke to there advised against them, saying they’d be overkill for this kind of door. Instead, they suggested checking out screen door holders, but from what I can tell, those don’t seem to handle large opening angles like mine.

Has anyone had a similar problem and found a good solution?
It’s a pretty common setup, so I can’t be the only one facing this!

Here are a few photos for context:

photo of the door

door closers I had a look but advised against
1. https://www.bunnings.com.au/lockwood-1022-series-silver-hydr…

  1. https://www.bunnings.com.au/ryobi-silver-medium-duty-commerc…

Screen door closer i was told to consider

https://www.rolltrak.com.au/products/heavy-duty-easy-fit-doo…

Any ideas or product recommendations would be hugely appreciated — safety’s the main goal here!

Cheers!

Home & Garden

Comments

    • kaleidoscope on 19/10/2025 - 20:53
      +1

      Thanks, had a look into these but didn’t proceed as they require to be put on an off and does not work on inside pinch where the hinges are.

    • Sinnerator on 20/10/2025 - 07:45

      whilst these are on the door will always be open and unlocked

    • kaleidoscope on 19/10/2025 - 21:15
      +1

      This is to prevent it from happening to the younger kid who has just started walking and running.

      10-15mm of latex glued to the hinge would do it, but it means the door would have to be physically closed

      Won’t this cause too much pressure on the hinge and make the pin to break off / disfigure 🤔

        • RockyRaccoon on 20/10/2025 - 06:53

          Rather silly. Some kids have done the same with a stove and received 3rd degree burns. Likewise with other things some survive and learn easily some don’t.

          As a kid I had 3 fingers broken in a car door when it slammed shut. Sure I learnt to avoid car doors so you are spot on.

          I can’t advise any more than say this website has a lot of technical advice on door closers that they make. Maybe that might give you some information that helps,

          https://www.assaabloy.com/vn/market-images/product-assets/ya…

        • TastyCrumpet on 20/10/2025 - 21:31
          +1

          What was the point of saying that? Why would you suggest a child to get tested off 1 comment as if the dad couldnt tell. Not even indicitive off a disorder. (Maybe you should get tested?)
          Anyway theres a whole bunch of neuroscience differences in those 2 contexts - a door that features a lot in a childs day-to-day vs a stove which rarely features in a childs normal movements and is rarely part of larger goals.

          • 7ekn00 on 20/10/2025 - 21:39

            @TastyCrumpet:

            What was the point of saying that?

            Cause research shows 1) inability to learn with significant negative enforcers is an early sign of a spectral disorder and 2) early detection significantly improves the kids success in life …

            Maybe you should get tested?

            Have been, was detected at three years from similar incidents, interventions have helped me own and operate many companies in different countries throughout my life ;)

            • TastyCrumpet on 20/10/2025 - 22:18

              @7ekn00: Oh fair enough. Sorry I misinterpreted the intention. Im glad you got the interventions early! Thats impressive even without any kind of diagnosis. My friend just got her boys diagnosed and found out she had autism too. Shes in her 30s and it wouldve saved her a lot of psychologist's fees if shed been diagnosed earlier (apparently women are massively underdiagnosed). Now others in her extended family and getting tested

        • smartazz104 on 21/10/2025 - 07:46

          Not sure how a young kid can keep doing something that is painful without learning :/

          Yet you still felt the need to pretend to be an expert.

    • Muppet Detector on 20/10/2025 - 15:04
      +9

      WTF?

      "I would like to prevent my kid from getting their fingers caught in a door prone to unexpectedly slamming shut at times so I should get them tested for autism."

  • Euphemistic on 19/10/2025 - 21:06
    +3

    Screen door one might work, but is designed for fuarly lightweighr doors and may bot have enough damping to slow a door that is being closed under force.

    I would have thought the other two linked should work. You should be able to adjust them so the door closes slowly.

    However, most of thw door closers ive used seem to 'let the door go' so it closes quickly enough to latch at the end of the swing.

    • CodeXD on 19/10/2025 - 21:51
      +6

      Are you okay? Did your fingers also get caught in slamming door?

      • Euphemistic on 20/10/2025 - 06:12
        +2

        Have an upvote.

        Late, long day, small keyboard, fat fingers, no glasses, autocorrect that is more miss than hit, insufficient proof reading….

        • kaleidoscope on 20/10/2025 - 09:27

          & comment edit window was fast closing in :D

          Thanks for sharing the thoughts, hope you had a well rest before monday madness

  • MS Paint on 19/10/2025 - 21:20
    +4

    when the evaporative cooler is running, the positive air pressure in the house causes this door to slam shut

    Open windows to avoid positive pressure at this doorway.

    little one’s fingers a few times

    Like this?

  • Tyrannosaurus Rex on 19/10/2025 - 21:42
    +13

    My grand-daughter used to love to run through the hallway and slam the door, drove me nuts, but health issues made it difficult to expkain to her. A very cheap quick fix, i cut about 20cm off a pool noodle and put it at the top of the door.you might not want it as a permanent fix but it would be a cheap quick temporary fix.

  • jjjaar on 19/10/2025 - 21:57
    +18

    I’ve looked into automatic door closers at Bunnings, but the person I spoke to there advised against them, saying they’d be overkill for this kind of door.

    If it solves the problem easily, what does it matter if it’s overkill?

    • kaleidoscope on 20/10/2025 - 09:13
      +1

      My thoughts as well when I first heard it, but I assumed the fellow may have hinted at there is a better way around it.

      • TheFreaK on 21/10/2025 - 10:40
        +3

        Just get the door closer man

    • Derrick Crane on 20/10/2025 - 10:46
      +1

      Exactly. Overkill beats underkill every time.

      • Muppet Detector on 22/10/2025 - 04:53

        Unless it is someone you love or you don't have anywhere to hide the body.

  • AustriaBargain on 19/10/2025 - 22:07

    A quality door closer that does it gently. Maybe this is something a bit too specialised even of Bunnings, maybe look elsewhere if you don't have confidence in the ones they have. If people are accidentally leaving the door open then maybe it'll help keep your house cooler if it automatically closed. Or remount the door so it opens into the garage instead.

  • bluesky on 19/10/2025 - 22:34

    Not saying this is feasible or advisable to do nowadays – there must be better solutions. But when I was very young, this is what my mum organised, precisely so that my siblings and I would not get our fingers crushed by these sorts of doors slamming, whether due to wind, or during play etc.

    She had all the edges of the doors (where the hinges were) shaved at an angle near 45 degrees, before the hinges were put back. Many a time it had saved our fingers. Even with this, when my fingers were caught, I remember it was still painful, but nothing serious.

    That said, the doors back then were solid wood. Nowadays if the doors are laminated or had layers, shaving it could possibly destroy the door. There are probably better ways to do this now.

    • kaleidoscope on 20/10/2025 - 09:12
      +1

      That's a very interesting way around it. If nothing else works I might consider it. Just have to factor in the additional effort in sanding and painting back the edges. (This is a modern shrinkflated door unlike a solid one, but along the edges its not hollow afaik)

  • mshanann on 19/10/2025 - 23:50
    +3

    How far back can the door rotate, and can it latch to some inner wall? If so, could you use a strong earth magnet to latch/hold the door in its open state, so that it won't release easily without strong force being applied?

    If you want to do something more permanent, you will need a floor spring, or non-hold-open hydraulic door closer - similar to soft close mechanism many pool gates have to stop door from slamming.

    That ryobi one you linked looks good.

    • kaleidoscope on 20/10/2025 - 09:07

      It opens inwards and goes as far as it contacts the doorstop on wall behind (about 170 degrees). I can swap the builder's door stop with a magentic one like this to hold it at full open position. For dampening the close will look into something else.

      Thanks!

      • quick-dry on 20/10/2025 - 16:13

        not sure about dampening the closing, but the magnetic holders are quite strong. We have some and once the door catches on the magnet it takes quite a deliberate pull to get it free - the wind/air pressure won't do it (unless the wind is strong enough to blow the house to Oz)

  • ozbs25 on 20/10/2025 - 09:50
    +1

    The door to our garage opens inwards and could slam really hard. We bought a cheap automatic door closer from Amazon (unfortunately they don't seem to sell it anymore). It seems to work pretty well but it's actually kinda hard to open now and is a pain to keep open when you want to bring stuff into the house. The main thing is it doesn't slam anymore so we don't have to worry about getting our fingers squashed.

    • kaleidoscope on 20/10/2025 - 12:45

      Good that you solved your problem despite the little inconveniences it brought in afterwards. That looks like any other standard door closer tbh similar to the ones in Bunnings. I don’r really mind the price they’re at, as long is works.

      Thanks!

  • crentist on 20/10/2025 - 09:59
    +5

    The door closers should be good, not sure why overkill.

    Another option: stick a tall doormat/carpet offcut in front of the door to add friction

    • maverickjohn on 21/10/2025 - 20:51

      This is a clever solution

  • kallico on 20/10/2025 - 10:22
    +2

    Keep the door shut

    • kaleidoscope on 20/10/2025 - 12:41
      +2

      Any suggestions on how to enter / exit in to the garage? 🤨

      • ShiKu on 21/10/2025 - 10:07
        +2

        close the door behind you?

        • MS Paint on 21/10/2025 - 11:48

          Keep this black magic wizardry on reddit please. Common sense doesn't apply here. Thanks.

  • jellykingdom on 20/10/2025 - 10:36

    Beaded curtain?

    • kaleidoscope on 20/10/2025 - 13:06

      If you mean remove the door and replace with beaded curtain, it's not the best fit for this place as its opening up to the garage and will be a massive heat escape in colder period.

  • sumyungguy on 20/10/2025 - 14:00

    Have you considered this type of light duty closer; even cheaper via Amazon

    • kaleidoscope on 20/10/2025 - 15:40

      This works on the other way around, where the arm pushes the door towards closing it in.

      Mine is the door slams shut, so need to slow it down.

      • sumyungguy on 20/10/2025 - 15:58

        Spring tension is adjustable so it may prevent the door from slamming; just use it in reverse (upside down)

  • oooooooo ahhhhhhh on 20/10/2025 - 14:01

    Echoing what MS Paint said, open a window or cut a vent hole in door. Something to equalise the pressure.

    • kaleidoscope on 20/10/2025 - 20:30

      Even with most windows open (i have 3 awning in living area) + beds, once the door picks up speed it keeps going. May be i have a weird door 😆

  • jedimaster on 20/10/2025 - 16:45

    Have a look at what they put in daycare centres on the hingeside to protect fingers

    • kaleidoscope on 20/10/2025 - 20:32
      +1

      Yup that’s what an aiming towards on the dangerous side. Found an alternative on amazon and will see how it goes. For dampening it will require other workaround, thanks!

  • belongsinforums on 20/10/2025 - 17:37

    Put a wedge under the door to keep it open and put a floor snake down to prevent door from closing. Or just remove the door for now

  • MrFrugalSpend on 20/10/2025 - 18:48

    There is a product for this
    https://www.amazon.com.au/2-PCS-Happlife-Finger-Pinch-Guard/…

  • greater mimic on 20/10/2025 - 19:43
    +1

    Keep us updated with what you go with because I have a similar door, except it only slams when the side door is open and it's windy so, I keep that one shut mostly

    • morrispresso on 20/10/2025 - 21:29
      +2

      I had the same issue as you - caused by air flow when certain other doors or windows were open. Door closer fixed it for me. See my comment below.

  • morrispresso on 20/10/2025 - 21:25
    +1

    The staff member you spoke to has no idea, you were on the right track with the door closers you were looking at. I had the same issue and bought either a light or medium duty one (can't remember, it suited the door weight I think) from Bunnings and it worked perfectly to stop the door from slamming due to the air flow. Toddler fingers and my dog were saved many a time by the soft close. Most are adjustable and you can set it up to your preference, but you'll want the final stage to be on its slowest setting.

    • greater mimic on 21/10/2025 - 00:03

      Would you go for the Lockwood one or the screen door one?

      • morrispresso on 21/10/2025 - 08:49

        Mine was the Lemaar one if I remember correctly. Same style as the Lockwood one

        • kaleidoscope on 21/10/2025 - 09:21

          Yeah the lemaar is decently priced, did you have any quality issues with it? Else will proceed with that. I’ll have to place order from elsewhere for it as my local store was oos for it.

  • TastyCrumpet on 20/10/2025 - 22:04

    Yea agree with others that the door closer is a goer. I assume theres not much of a gap in the door to the garage (to stop fumes etc); if there is space could also try affixing something on the bottom of the door itself that increases friction so it doesnt shut as violently, or have a door sweep which only has a strip under the door and a larger bit out the front that drags on the floor

  • Naigrabzo on 21/10/2025 - 08:51
    +2

    Hydrolic door closer which will dampen.

  • Fabbbrrr on 21/10/2025 - 10:27
    +2

    Here's another alternative for slamming doors: https://makerworld.com/en/models/411345-door-jammer

    Once opened, it'll stay open instead of slamming back and pinching your fingers. If you have access to a 3d printer this is a few minutes work.

    • Muppet Detector on 22/10/2025 - 05:02

      We use this in hospitals - Mental Health ICAs

      Stops patients slamming or being violent with doors.

      https://www.accesshardware.com.au/lockwood-2615-delayed-acti…

      Wouldn't this one be a hanging risk (especially when door is open)?

      Aren't they supposed to avoid using things that are potential hanging risks?

      • yabingus on 22/10/2025 - 10:43

        Suppose its designed to break when patients try to end it. No way that medal can hold a 70kg bending force.

        • sumyungguy on 22/10/2025 - 11:16

          @Muppet Detector is on the money; they're not anti-ligature fittings/fixtures, unlikely they're being used in mental health facilities in Australia

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 21/10/2025 - 21:36

    Fix the positive pressure.

    Bonus outcome, the evap cooler will run more efficiently.

  • Richardc on 21/10/2025 - 22:20

    Can't you just install a cabin hook?

  • grr1701 on 22/10/2025 - 11:11

    Easy. Go for the “overkill” option from Bunnings. Spend the money, save the child.

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