When John Mitchell’s wife of 45 years told him that she felt unsafe with the sliding glass door in their home while he worked the nightshift; he knew he had to do something.  “My first inclination was to use the old broomstick approach for that sliding glass door”, says Mitchell, “but I knew that I would still worry knowing that the only thing that would stand between my wife and an intruder was a small wooden stick.” 

So, Mitchell came up with an idea and the J.MITCH Safetylock was created.  The device is crafted out of  cold rolled steel. This is placed on the inside of the sliding glass door. The device prevents the sliding glass door from sliding from the inside.  However, unlike bars, it does not prevent the door from being opened from the inside, so in case of emergency, it can quickly and easily be removed and the door can be used.  

Currently, Mitchell has incorporated his small business and he has partnered with a local manufacturer to produce the units.  “Ideally, I’d like to sell 4000 units this year,” says Mitchell.  I know there are others out there who are still using the broomstick.  This will provide an extra layer of protection, and it also blends in with the sliding glass door itself. 

Mitchell also has developed a Safetylock for windows.  It works the same way, preventing the window from being opened form the outside.  Production of the Safetylock for windows will begin in early 2009.  Both devices have patents pending.