I have a solid wood internal door and the handle on one side keeps falling off because the holes for the screws have become so loose (as my son swings on it!) I have tried wood glue but the problem just reoccurs after a few weeks.

Alison, June 2009

take some coctail sticks place in hole as far as they will go then snap flush with the door till hole has gone then rescrew done it for years in the trade can use matches but take the end that strikes off first

hr, November 2010

Go to a local ironmongers / hardware store with one of your handles and ask if they can sell you a set of back-to-back bolt fixings.
Then re-fit your handles using these instead of the screws

www.ironmongeryshoponline.co.uk, October 2009

Remove the handles both sides and drill right through the door where the screws were with a 6mm drill. Go to your local kitchen fitter and ask for some 5mm x 47mm sleeve nuts and screws and refit the handles using these. Should cost you about £1 if you do it yourself.

chippy, June 2009

If the door handle has no spindle through the door (they usually do) just screw the affected handle higher than your son can reach - he won't be able to swing on it then.

If the handles are on a spindle buy a new, stout set and fix them on solidly.

Constant swinging will, over time, put great strain on the screws holding the top hinge - the boy might get a surprise when the door falls on him - ask him to wear a cycle helmet for safer swinging.

Children are such a blessing...

You might also consider using wooden plugs in the screw holes before reattaching the handle next time - will give the screws something to bite on.

Good luck...

Peccavi, June 2009