I’ve had more than one project where the carpenters told me, “I can save you a whole tread.” My answer is always an emphatic “No!” Saving space isn’t the goal; saving lives is. For gates that need to go around odd-shaped areas, uneven molding, or drywall with no support behind it, you can purchase safety gate extenders or installation kits to get a secure fit. - Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Rugs should never be placed close to a staircase, as they increase the risk of tripping and falling. Stairs with open risers are dangerous for young kids, who can crawl right through them. to ask an adult for help if he wants to take something up or down stairs. Make sure stairwells are well lit. With just two 9-inch treads and three 8¼-inch risers, they’re plenty steep, a condition all too common in a world where builders pride themselves on how little space they can eat up with stairs. How To Babyproof Stairs (Step-By-Step Guide) - Mom Loves Best 63. Products for indoor and outdoor stairs include treads, safety handrails, assistive devices, … Open All. Be sure to do this as soon as your child starts to sit up, as crawling and walking are not far behind. Install a handrail if one is not available. Keep one hand on the handrail to help prevent a fall in case you trip or slip. Use hardware-mounted gates at the top of stairs. Pothos, Peace Lily, and Caladium plants are all highly toxic to children, and even pets. Go Slow and Steady. Gates that only press against walls—pressure-mounted gates—are not secure enough to prevent falls at the top of stairs. Stairs are a necessary component in homes and businesses. If you have toddlers or little babies in the house, baby gates for staircases are a must. When a child begins to use stairs on his own, teach him: to always have a free hand to hold onto the handrail. Make sure your baby gate is up-to-date, and meets all current safety standards. Baby Safety Child Safety Kids And Parenting Parenting Hacks Foster Parenting Toddler Proofing Baby Life Hacks Diy Bebe Future Mom. Start by making sure the stairs are safe enough for your toddler to practice climbing up and down on. Stairs should be clutter-free, in good condition, and have a banister or handrails on each side. Remember that a child’s safety needs evolve as he grows. Of the roughly 932,000 children under 5 who were hurt on staircases, babies 12 months or younger were at highest risk, accounting for 32 percent of the injuries. Where you see a flight of stairs, children may see a majestic mountain that needs to be conquered. The better and safer option (aside from replacing your baluster posts) is to cover your baluster posts with Plexiglas or a Banister Shield. Your giving your toddler something to climb up and over the stair railing. After your baby confidently moves down the stairs in sitting positions, it’s time to teach her to walk down. In fact, on average, every 6 minutes a child younger than 5 years is treated for a stair-related injury in a U.S. emergency department. Toddlers need supervision. Make sure that stairs are in good structural condition and have slip-resistant tread surfaces. Install a handrail if one is not available. Opt for a stationary activity center and place it away from stairs. Hold their hands when walking up and down, until they are ready to use the stairs on their own. These gates essentially make stairs safe for children by rendering them unable to access them. When you need to carry a child on the stairs: Avoid carrying other items. Keep stairs free of clutter and in good repair. Teach children to always hold onto handrails and not to play or jump on stairs. Tips on modifying stairs for the elderly to make them safer. One of the safest ways for toddlers to go down the stairs is by starting with the bottom three steps. Many toddlers like to climb stairs. Get room-by-room safety tips, purchase products and more, by downloading the app. STAIRS. Go up and down together on carpeted stairs, but be sure to replace gates when you are done. Keep hallways and stairways well-lit, and use nightlights to light up any dark spaces, bathrooms and children’s bedrooms. Use stair gates both at the top and at the bottom of stairs. Install gates that have been specifically designed for the top of stairs, bottom of stairs and in between rooms. If you have stairs leading down from your balcony or deck, build or buy a gate to match your existing railings. Not all gates are safe for use at the top of stairs. The primary thing to do to keep babies safe... 2. Wall-to-wall, low-pile carpeting is soft underfoot for both stairs and hallways and provides some cushioning in case of a fall. Put up safety gates that are at least 22 inches (55.9 cm) high with no more than three inches (7.6 cm) between the vertical bars. When children need to be carried up and down the stairs, hold on to the banister or handrail, and do not carry anything else. This will create a high-friction surface but will distract from the natural beauty of the wood tread. Find a contractor who uses the 7-11 rule. Actively supervise toddlers on stairs. Remove the gate once your child has learned to open it, or tries to climb over it. While important and effective, remember that stair gates are not a substitute for adult supervision. Saved by Abigail Brown. When you're childproofing your railings, don't forget to make external stairs safer as well. Immediately replace light bulbs that are not working. In case of a power outage, finding them will be quick and easy. Stairs should be clutter-free, in good condition, and have a banister or handrails on each side. Just make sure to measure the space between the two railings of your staircase (or the space between the wall and the railing) before buying the gates. Children could pull off leaves or small pieces, which are choking hazards. Teach children that playing on the stairs is dangerous. Close All. Make sure carpets and runners are secure. You can set your address, phone number, email and site description in the settings tab.Link to read me page with more information. Make sure the child is in your arms and not in a stroller or carriage while on the stairs. 3. Stand a few steps above your baby and hold the toy in your hand, just a little out of her reach. Swapping live plants out for plastic plants is an option, but even plastic plants pose their threats. But a one-size-fits-all type of baby gate isn’t necessarily the safest choice. When cleaning, it is best to use non-skid wax or polish on your floors, and make sure to wipe up any furniture polish that may have landed on the floor. It’s a familiar scenario: Your toddler lunges toward the stairs. Built-in, wall-mounted gates are best. In addition, if your child has friends over, they need to be fully briefed on these rules as well. Use rugs with non-slip backs, or if that's not possible, use non-slip rug pads. Ideally, the route to a staircase should be clear, well lit and uncluttered. Then add a second coat to seal the grit. In fact, stairs were the No. Keep gates closed and secured when not in use. Appropriate footwear CREATING SAFE STAIRWAYS. If you buy a pressure-mount gate, use it … One of the best ways of making toddlers climb up and down stairs is by using their favourite toys. Child Safety Net,Durable Banister Guards for Kids Safety for Indoor Stairs Rails Cribs Balcony, Easy to Install and Use for Kids Pets Toys Safety with More Ropes & Ties. Make … STEPS TO SAFETY. Remember to read the manufacturer's instructions and warning labels to make sure you have the right gate for your needs. If you own your home and have the means, remodeling your stairs can be one way to make them a little safer. Allow it to dry. Always make sure that children either wear slippers or have bare feet when going up and down the stairs. Actually it … © 2019 Nationwide Children’s Hospital 700 Children’s Dr. Columbus, OH 43205. Plexiglas is more rigid, more attractive, last longer and … Floors that are wood, or have been recently cleaned, can be slippery, so take extra precautions when wearing socks and slippers. To keep her safe: Attach — and latch — baby gates at the top and bottom of the stairs. Grip tape solutions are common in commercial applications but can be used in residential projects. On flat ground, depending on your child's age and abilities, practice walking backwards or on tiptoes. Then immediately sprinkle a generous coating of rubber grit to the surface. Carefully watch toddlers on … $9.63 $ 9. Only use wall-mounted gates at the top of stairs. 3.8 out of 5 stars 345. 1 cause of injury for 1-year-old children in the United States. From day one, your child (or children) needs to understand the rules that you set forth for safety. Check the manufacturer's instructions because some gates need to be installed at floor level. Stairs. Watch Out for the Stairs. Use approved safety gates at the tops and bottoms of stairs and attach them to the wall, if possible. Look for gates that attach with hardware and screws long enough to attach to the house framing -- toddlers are surprisingly strong and can tear a safety gate out of weak drywall simply by pulling on it with their body weight. Your heart lunges in your chest. One of the most common things I work on in my school-based therapy practice is helping kids learn to climb stairs. Stair toddler safety - so clever/ interesting to add rope to the railing to help little ones learn to climb the stairs safely! If removing a gate is not possible because of other children in the home, use a gate that does not have gaps or notches that could be used for climbing. Infants need protection from safety hazards. Carefully watch toddlers on stairs. The child should be the only thing in your arms. Only use wall-mounted gates at the top of stairs. Keep flashlights with extra batteries in different spots around the house. Although functional, they can also be a design statement. Imitate animals (walk like a penguin, jump like a kangaroo, etc.) or dance to music. The majority of the kiddos in our school district live in single level homes or apartment buildings with elevators, so their exposure to climbing stairs is limited. Stairs are a common source of injury among children. First of all, your stairs must have railings and banisters. Content provided by the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s, Promotion Of Injury Prevention In Ohio By Ohio Emergency Medical Services. Arrange the classroom in a way that allows you to see all of the children, at all times. 1. A reader needs help to toddler-proof these stairs. In fact, on average, every 6 minutes a child younger than 5 years is treated for a stair-related injury in a U.S. emergency department. Apply a clear coat of non-slip paint … Toddlers are natural explorers, says Mary Weck, a physical therapist at Children’s Memorial Hospital, in Chicago. Place one safety gate at the top of the stairs and one safety gate three steps from the bottom of the stairs. Carpet stairs. This rule states the risers on any given set of stairs are no higher than seven inches, and the stepping surface is … Handrails that are small enough for you to be able to put your whole hand around are best. Even if your child exhibits model behavior on their own, all it takes is the wild kid next door to throw all order out the window. Keep your children away from the stairs until they’re ready to climb it. Be sure the gate's latching mechanism is childproof or high enough that it's out of reach. An even grippier solution is to get a grippy tape and put it on the front of your tread. Apply a fresh coat of paint to the steps. Pressure mounted gates can be knocked over allowing the child to fall down the stairs. Installing child safety gates at the top and bottom of stairways can help protect your child from injury, points out AskDrSears. You can find many different cost-effective options and models available in DIY shops or on-line stores. Sprinkle the grit on wet paint. Build Smaller Stairs (lengthwise): If you are getting your house built independently, then you can always ask the architect to build smaller stairs. When children need to be carried up and down the stairs, hold on to the banister or handrail, and do not carry anything else. If you have any of these in your living room, make sure you put them out of reach. Remodel your stairs if needed. Keep floors clear of toys, clutter and spills. FREE Shipping on orders over $25 shipped by Amazon. If your toddler’s room is on the second floor like our bedrooms, you will probably want … Taking a few simple steps can help prevent these injuries. Falls can happen anywhere in the home, but by practicing stair safety for kids, you can make your home a safer place for your children. Avoid trips and falls by securing cords from phones, computers or lamps in high-traffic areas, by tucking them away or using cord shorteners. How to Make Stairs Safe for Children 1. Limit small children's access to stairs Add childproof safety gates at the top and bottom of the stairs. Check for recalls. Never use baby walkers. How to make a tricky staircase safe for children. Accordion-style baby gates are no longer recommended, due to strangulation hazards. Before winter hits, apply a coat of paint and traction grit on slippery wood steps. Keep stairs free of clutter and in good repair. Stairs are a common source of injury among children. Dangle it in front of her, so that she feels tempted to reach out for it. Child Safety Net,Durable Banister Guards for Kids Safety for Indoor Stairs Rails Cribs Balcony, Easy to Install and Use for Kids Pets Toys Safety with More Ropes & Ties 3.8 out of 5 … Check stairs and steps for any potential dangers, such as items of furniture nearby that could cause your loved one to trip or stumble. It becomes easier for kids and old people to negotiate smaller stairs. You should consider to install one gate at the bottom and one at the top of the staircase. The building of stairs, as well as most construction, has mandatory guidelines regarding how they are built, and they can often be confusing, misinterpreted, and complex, although as we will see below, extremely important. If your stairs don’t have... 3. Do not let your children carry toys or other objects when using the stairs. Mount gates less than 3 inches from the floor to prevent your child from crawling underneath. 1.1k. Unintentional injury is one of the top killers of children in the U.S. Prevention can eliminate almost all of these injuries. Avoid carrying a child on the stairs when possible. If they need help carrying things up or down the stairs, they should ask an adult for help. Handrails that are small enough for you to be able to put your whole hand around are best. Use stair gates both at the top and at the bottom of stairs. Get it as soon as Tue, Feb 2. ... from an apartment so we are navigating the world of toddler-proofing stairs … Place him in a safe place, such as a crib, when you need to use the stairs. Every 6 minutes, a child younger than 5 is rushed to an ER for a stair-related injury.