Edit: Looks like forcing the lock to stay up is the best option, plus adding a hook-and-eye latch to keep the cats (one of whom particularly reckless) from getting onto the roof by way of the balcony.
When I go onto the balcony and close the screen door behind me, the lock falls down into the locked position. (Conveniently, this mostly happens when I’m not wearing pockets and therefore don’t have my phone.)
The lock doesn’t seem to be loose, or at least the screw won’t go any tighter. I don’t think I’m closing the screen any more firmly than necessary.
Other than trying to remember to instead close the glass door behind me — passing through doors happens on autopilot so I’m very likely to forget — is there some way to prevent locking myself out? Or is it working as designed and I have a head-in-clouds problem rather than a flaky-door problem?
Are you actually up on a higher floor where there's little chance of anyone trying to get in that way? If the lock has a key, maybe you could hide a copy on the balcony? Alternatively I would wedge something into the lock, it's not like it actually DOES anything. Anyone who wants in your house will simply go through the screen without making enough noise to alert the neighbors.
It’s the second floor, so anyone trying to get in would have to Spider-Man their way up, which is pretty unlikely. The main concern with blocking the lock is keeping the cats from opening it, but I think I could add a simple hook-and-eye latch to the inside. Thanks!
I guess you need something keeping it closed. What does the outside look like? Any way to modify it to add a handle of sorts to the interior latch part so you can raise it from outside too? Could be as simple as a slot and a screw.