Baby proofing banisters
The danger of children falling down stairs and hitting their heads is a common household accident that can be easily prevented by installing a child safety gate both at the top and at the bottom of the staircase. This simple and obvious child proofing solution is great to keep babies and toddlers safe around stairs, but unfortunately the risk of them falling down the steps is not the only one this part of the house holds. If your railings create gaps that are wider than 3 inches, or if there’s a row of ladder-like horizontal bars which could be used as a ladder to climb up and over the top, then it’s recommended that your banister be baby proofed too.
Failing to baby proof stair railing could in fact result in your child slipping through the gap and falling from a considerable height, or even becoming wedged in the railings and suffocating. Fortunately, with supervision and a few simple steps, you should be able to prevent these accidents by covering the railings with either a sheet of clear plastic “banister shield” or Plexiglas.
Pictured above is an example of what we mean with ‘banister shield’. This solution is not only effective, as it safely fills the spaces between the railings, but it is also extremely elegant, as it can hardly be noticed.
For more information on how to childproof railings, whether on decks, balconies or banisters, contact us to find the Baby Safe Home safety specialist nearest to you and your family.
Call 888.481.7233.