How to Childproof Balcony Railings
- Measure the Width of Your Balcony. Measure the width of your balcony by using a tape measure. ...
- Attach the Plastic Fencing to Your Balcony Railings. ...
- Install the Plastic Fences to the Railings. ...
- Cover the Open Areas with Hard Plastic Cover. ...
- Reinforce the Railing with Deck Netting. ...
How do you make a balcony railing safe for children?
The easiest way to make a balcony railing safe for children is by using plastic wire. This is very flexible and can be unrolled, cut and attached to the balcony railing with cable ties. It will do a good job of helping to keep children on the balcony and not allow then to push between the railing uprights.
Should I Cover my balcony railings or deck?
Another alternative to covering your balcony railings or deck flooring with an entire type of material, is simply to modify it in order to make it safe. Just by adding extra vertical slats or spindles, you can fill in railing gaps and make it child proof.
Should I childproof my balcony or deck?
This option is more appealing if the railings are made of wood, as a metal stricture is more difficult and expensive to modify. It is important to remember to childproof windows and doors that lead to balconies or decks, as these can be primary ways for your child to reach those areas.
How can I keep my child from climbing on the railings?
One option is to cover the railings with plastic garden fencing, shade cloth, a sheet of clear plastic, or rigid sheets of Plexiglas. If the railing has a row of ladder-like horizontal bars — which your child could use to climb up and over the top — make sure you use these barriers and secure them to the inside of the railing.
How do you child proof a balcony?
How to Child Proof a BalconyAdjustable baby gate. The most obvious place to start is with an adjustable baby gate. ... Be careful where you position furniture. ... Plexiglass bannister guard. ... Keep doors locked. ... Balcony safety net. ... Reed fence. ... Balcony privacy screen. ... Always put security measures on the inside.More items...
How do you baby proof an open railing?
How To Babyproof Stair RailingsGet a Banister Guard. You can get a banister guard that goes along the length of your banister. ... Try a DIY Solution. If you have the tools, time, and resources, making a custom railing guard can be really fun and a stylish way to stay true to your home's decor. ... Reevaluate Your Railings.
How do I child proof my upstairs balcony?
0:351:44Baby Proofing Decks and Balconies - Kimberlee Mitchell - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThink ahead and think of what your child will and have inevitably do climb up that ladder. So youMoreThink ahead and think of what your child will and have inevitably do climb up that ladder. So you want to make sure that you install Plexiglas. Or some sort of deck netting.
How do I make my high rise balcony safe?
Balcony Safety SolutionsInvisible Grilles. Image: Legate. You can't really go wrong with invisible grilles. ... Glass Curtains® Image: Glass Curtains. ... Outdoor Blinds and Ziptrak® Image: Ziptrak. ... Safety Nets. Image: Madhu Safety Nets. ... Additional Slats and Spindles. Image: Sapphire Balconies.
How do I make banisters safe for kids?
0:301:11Babyproofing Your Home: Stairs | Parents - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOpen out and away from the staircase. This is especially true at the top of the stairs where yourMoreOpen out and away from the staircase. This is especially true at the top of the stairs where your baby might be leaning on the gate and when it opens the baby could fall down the stairs.
Can kids climb cable railings?
Even with properly installed cable railing systems, children can still attempt to climb the rail and end up falling off the balcony. One great way to prevent this is to install a strip of small spikes on the top of the rail.
How do you make a safe railing?
Use a hole punch to create holes in the plastic and use zip ties to secure the plastic to the railing. Be sure to place the side of the plastic with the protective film on the outside, so that you can easily remove it after installation.
How do you cover a balcony for safety?
Tips for making the Balcony safePlastic Shield: Plastic shield is a transparent plastic cover for your balcony railings. ... Wire/ Plastic Mesh: Wire mesh can be installed across the railing of the balcony to prevent entrapment and fall. ... Grills: ... Plexiglas. ... Additional Slats And Spindles: ... Old Cardboards:
Are balcony railings safe?
As we noted earlier, modern railing systems made and installed in the United States must follow the IRC or IBC, so they're safe for you and your family. However, horizontal railing styles can be dangerous to children because of the 'ladder effect.
Are balconies safe for toddlers?
Do not let children play alone on balconies, or fire escapes and high porches. In addition: Move furniture or other items away from balcony and deck railings. Children begin climbing before they can walk, so don't underestimate a child's mobility.
Do balconies ever collapse?
Many properties, such as homes, apartments, restaurants, theaters, music concert halls, and more, have balconies. When they are not maintained properly, the balcony can collapse. Victims can suffer serious injuries when this occurs.
How high can balconies be?
Balconies that extend from the second or third floor of a home are built at the floor height where they are attached. This height is usually somewhere between 10 and 13 feet for a second floor and 20 to 26 feet for a third floor.
How do you decorate a city balcony?
14 Cozy Balcony Ideas and Decor InspirationAdd a Small Table. All you need to enjoy your morning coffee on your balcony is a café table and a chair. ... Install Built-In Seating. ... Bring in Greenery. ... Opt for Floor Pillows. ... Add Pattern with an Outdoor Rug. ... Use Your Wall Space. ... Light It Up. ... Hang a Chair or Hammock.More items...•
How to protect children from balcony?
The first thing you have to keep in mind when considering child safety on decks and balconies is the actual decoration and layout of the area. Do not place chairs, furniture or any objects near to railings or low walls, as children can very easily discover how to use them as climbing structures in order to peep over the edge or toss things over. In any case, a young child should never be left unattended in a deck or balcony area, even with safety measures in place. Remember to check that all doorways and stairs are also child proofed for safety and that all electrical outlets are also covered with plates or covers.
What material is best for child proofing a balcony?
Plexiglas or Lexan. These materials can be a good option for childproofing a balcony. They are durable transparent materials that offer a great deal of safety but are also attractive to the eye. They are more expensive than other materials you can use and not generally available over the counter.
What is deck netting made of?
Deck netting is durable and made from plastic. It is a mesh style netting that is specifically designed for outdoor use and is not difficult to install. You can cut it quite easily with scissors and secure it directly to the deck floor. It is usually secured using screws or plastic cord ties or staples, although staples are not recommendable as they can become loose and pose a choking hazard.
How to child proof a window?
It is important to remember to childproof windows and doors that lead to balconies or decks, as these can be primary ways for your child to reach those areas. Adding latches or locks to them is the best way to make them child proof. They should be installed high up enough to be out of your child’s reach. And try to look for latches or locks that your child will not be able to figure out how to manipulate, as he grows older.
What is transparent shield?
Transparent Balcony Shield. In comparison to Plexiglas, this material is a lot less expensive and can be bought and installed easily. It generally comes in a roll, can be easily cut to size using scissors and is fairly lightweight and easy to maneuver.
Is it dangerous to have a balcony?
After all, children are naturally curious and unaware of danger, a combination that is highly precari ous. Young children may easily become trapped between railings or even worse, slip through and fall. So it is important to always consider the safety of your children at every stage of their development, considering that their capabilities for problem solving grow as they get older.
Can you keep a child inside a sliding glass door?
Designed for sliding glass doors, they allow you to keep your child inside, while still being able to have the actual sliding door open. The gates are easy to install without the use of tools, by simply clamping onto the actual frame of the sliding door and wedging it open.
How far should a gap between balcony railings be?
If the gap between the railings is less than 4 inches, you need to come up with solutions to reduce the gap. You can add a few designs or extra bars to the railing to ensure the child can’t squeeze between them and get stuck or fall from the balcony.
Can you install plexiglass on a balcony?
If you don’t want to spend money on Plexiglas, you can install balcony shields and guards that are available in most hardware and baby stores. These attachments are easy to install and relatively inexpensive. They can be a DIY project for a weekend, just make sure you use screws to attach the material rather that staplers. The latter can come off with just a little bit of force.
Can you put wood slats on a railing?
You can apply wood slats on the railing to fill in all the gaps and ensure your child doesn’t have any opportunity to slip past the railing and fall. Wood is durable and can add to the beauty of the railing if you choose the right design and installation technique.
How far apart should a balcony railing be?
The uprights should be no more than four inches apart to prevent a child wriggling through. The railing itself needs to be secure on the balcony; it shouldn’t sway or wobble when you try to move it.
What are the disadvantages of balcony railings?
The disadvantage is that it looks cheap and won’t match the balcony railing. It does make a good temporary solution, but to keep your balcony looking good you’ll want something that looks much better.
How to stop plexiglass from cracking?
Keeping the plastic on it will help prevent the hole from cracking. Remove the protective plastic. Hold the plexiglass in place on the balcony railing, centering it for the best effect but making sure there are gaps of no more than two inches all around. Secure it in place using cable ties.
Is plexiglass safe for kids?
A better and much more permanent solution for making a balcony railing safe for children is plexiglass. It’s transparent it doesn’t ruin the look of the balcony and it gives greater protection than plastic wire.
Is it safe to have a balcony railing?
Plastic wire. A balcony railing isn’t inherently safe for children. It’s all too easy for children to fall from balconies. You need to make sure that both the balcony and the balcony railing are safe if you’re going to allow children to play there.
Can plexiglass be cut to fit a balcony railing?
The plexiglass can be smaller than the size of the balcony railings. Fitting the plexiglass will be easier if it’s somewhat small.
How to stop toddler from squeezing through deck railing?
If the railings on your deck or balcony create any gaps that are wider than 4 inches, you'll need to make some modifications to stop your child from squeezing through. One option is to cover the railings with plastic garden fencing, shade cloth, a sheet of clear plastic, or rigid sheets of Plexiglas. If the railing has a row of ladder-like ...
How much is a clear balcony shield?
A roll of clear "balcony shield" or "banister guard," available at websites such as Safe Beginnings, will be less expensive (about $1 per square foot) and much easier to cut and install, but it's only appropriate for indoor applications. Deck netting is more appropriate for outdoor use.
What to do if there is a gap between the spindles?
If there's a child-sized gap between the spindles, the best thing you can do is keep your child off the balcony or deck completely , even if he has supervision. Curious kids can be extremely fast, and a child needs just a second to slip away.
Can you childproof a wooden railing?
When you're childproofing your railings, don't forget to make external stairs safer as well. If you have stairs leading down from your balcony or deck, build or buy a gate to match your existing railings.
Can a toddler fall on a balcony?
Decks and balconies pose several hazards — the most serious being that your child could slip through the railings and fall, or become wedged in the railings and suffocate. Fortunately, with supervision and a few simple steps, you should be able to prevent these accidents.
Can you cover a deck with slats?
If they become dislodged, they present a serious choking hazard. As an alternative to covering your deck or balcony, you can add additional vertical slats or spindles to fill in the gaps in the railing. This is a particularly appealing alternative if your railings are made of wood.
How wide should a balcony railing be?
Make sure your balcony railings don’t have any gaps wider than 4 inches. If your balcony railings are low or easy to climb, you must replace them with something taller and safer.
Can kids push furniture on a balcony?
If your kid is old enough to push house furniture next to the balcony wall but young enough not to realize the safety hazards of doing so, you need to be extra vigilant at all times. One of the easiest ways to make your balcony safe for children is to remove any outdoor furniture you might have placed in the open area.
Can you put a metal grill on a balcony?
Depending on your budget and the area bylaws, you can install tall wrought iron railing or a metal grill that makes it impossible for a kid to climb over or squeeze through. Ideally, your balcony railings should not have a gap larger than 4 inches. A concrete parapet is also a great and budget-friendly option to childproof your balcony. Meanwhile, if you are worried about tall grills hindering your view, you can instead opt for waist-high plexiglass as a transparent balcony shield to make it safe for children.
Is it safe to have a balcony with kids?
Did you know that balconies are one of the most dangerous places for curious toddlers and adventurous children in any household? Whether you live in a double-storey house or a high-rise apartment, you simply cannot ignore balcony safety for kids when it comes to childproofing your home. With the concept of vertical living becoming more popular and a number of luxury apartment projects being constructed in every major city, it is now more important than ever to discuss ways to make your balcony safe for children.
Can toddlers fall down a balcony?
Therefore, if you have young children at home, it is pertinent to follow these tips on balcony safety for kids. Not to mention, it is just as important for the parents to discipline and teach their kids the dangers of climbing up the balcony railing or trying to squeeze through the gaps in its design.
Can you keep kids from accessing the balcony?
However, it is a foolproof way to keep your young ones from accessing the balcony without alerting everyone in the house. There are various types of security alarm systems available for homes in the market, though you will require a professional to install it.
Do you have to lock the balcony door when you come back?
Now, if the balcony in your home is frequently accessed by other residents of the house, you should ask them to make sure the door is properly locked and the latch is in its place once they come back inside.
