Colorful cutouts to help prevent glass-door accidents - includes related article on safest glass

Sunset, April, 1988

Colorful cutouts to help prevent glass-door accidents

When a person, all too often a child, crashes into a clear plate-glass door that looks as if it is open (but isn't), the results cna be tragic.

You can't prevent such accidents, but bold, bright designs such as these can reduce their chances of happening. More than decorative, these figures, cut from self-adhesive contact paper, stick to sliding or hinged glass doors (and nearby windows), making the glass "visible."

For your designs, copy the ones shown on these pages, or create your own images. The paper peels off easily, so you can change graphics to match the seasons or holidays. This month, try simple Easter egg shapes to alert children as they dash about with their baskets. If you use letters, remember that they'll be seen in reverse from the outside.

Contact paper comes in a wide variety of bright colors and designs. A 1 1/2- by 9-foot roll costs about $2.50.

Start by spreading out the contact paper with the paper backing face up. With a narrow felt-tip or nylon-tip pen, mark your design on the backing. Draw free-hand, or, if you find an image you'd like to duplicate, copy it onto tracing paper, then transfer the design with carbon paper to the backing. Cut out your figures.

Apply designs to the inside surface of doors and windows. Make sure glass is clean and dry before you start. Peel off backing, position cutout low enough to catch a small child's eye, and press firmly. Squeeze out any air bubbles with a rolling pin or brayer.

Photo: Eye-level elephants show that sliding door is closed. Above, she draws design on contact paper with felt-tip pen. Use paper punch for eye holes, craft knife for details

Photo: Visible at a glance, bold policeman and barking dog stand out--alerting this running child

Photo: Inspired by Southwest Indian motifs, these bright bird and lizard designs capture Emily's interest