How To Make Balconies Safe for Your Children
High rises characterize the cityscape of urban and semi-urban spaces. With property prices rising and urban space becoming more congested than ever, 'the higher, the better' seems to be the most practical option for housing the ever-increasing population of cities. Balconies are the only 'outdoors' for a lot of us who live in city apartments. But, if you are a parent with small children, you may often be at a loss how to make living in a high rise safe for children. While the developers wake up to the need of incorporating child safety as one of the key features in their projects, there is much that can be done to childproof the balconies.
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Here are a few suggestions to keep your child safe without denying them open air privileges:
Improvise the doors
The easiest way to childproof your balcony is to make the access point inaccessible to the child. This does not mean that children will not be able to go there. But, the chances of children going there will depend on you supervising the doors for them. The most logical thing to do, especially when you have children under the age of five, is to attach extra locks and latches on the upper half of the door. Then, the likelihood of them opening the door even accidentally will be much lower. Another option is to attach doorbells or door alarms so that you are alerted whenever someone accesses the balcony. You can also install safety gates to limit access to the balcony.
If there are windows on the wall, it is advisable to install the safety measures for children on them too.
DIY Measures
If you believe in open access, you still have several options to make your balconies child-safe.The first thing to do is to check if the railings are joined to the balcony floor, or raised or projected from the edges. If they aren't joined to the floor, ensure that the distance between the two edges are less than four inches. Also, if the railings are relatively open, find ways to close the distance between each rail. This is easier with wooden railings, as you can attach extra boards in the open spaces. If these are metal railings, you could use a mesh design or more intricate, but sturdy patterns. If the flooring or any part of your balcony is made of wood, regularly check them for loose pieces and splinters. This will reduce the chances of accidents and injuries.
Aesthetic and Safe
A home with balconies is a beautiful asset. There are ways to childproof its balconies without compromising on beauty. One easy solution, especially if you have railings with medium to lower heights, is to place the furniture away from the edges. Your child is always curious and loves to look over the edge; with this measure, you ensure that he or she does not get a climbing structure that puts them at risk.
A less conventional and more expensive method is to install transparent Plexiglas shields or plastic meshes so that you do not have to compromise on the beauty of the iron railings. These can be procured from a contractor or ordered online and customised to suit the dimensions of your balcony. They also help by not taking away the amount of light and space that your open balcony gives your home.
However, repeating a traditionally handed out advice to parents – the only way to effectively keep your energetic, curious toddler safe is through constant vigilance. Always pay attention to where your tiny adult is going and rely on these safety tips as an extra measure.
Do not make your children fly out of homes. Secure your balconies.