Babies require a lot of attention. Even if you are dedicating most of your time to your child when it is still really small, do not underestimate how many hazards there are inside the house.
The curiosity of a child is one of those things that you cannot remove. They will begin to explore the house even before they start walking. Crawling is more than enough. And when they grow up a bit, you will have a handful.
Ensuring the safety of a child should be one of the priorities of every parent. And it just so happens that stairs are one of the most dangerous places in any home.
A slip, fall, or even running into it and bumping ahead or another part of a baby’s body could lead to severe injuries. Thus, you should take care of the problem before there is an accident.
Method #1 – Use Baby Gates
Given how common accidents with stairs are for babies, it is no surprise to see that baby gates for stairs exist. There is an option to completely block the staircase, but then nobody would be able to access it. And if someone lives upstairs, or if you keep some important stuff there, you do not have that option.
Stair gates will restrict access for your babies, but you can still go up and down as you please.
Installing a stair gate requires a lot of detail. The whole thing can become quite complicated because of all the modern stair designs. You may find yourself unable to find a gate that fits the staircase.
If that happens, you would have no choice but to make everything from scratch. Or at least hire a person who can do the kind of work. And even if it costs extra, one cannot put a price on their children’s safety.
Method #2 – Add Carpet
Some stairs are quite slippery. If you want to reduce the risks, put a carpet on the stairs. It might not be something to consider when the baby is still crawling. However, as soon as your baby starts walking, you will be in a world of trouble.
If you have a carpet somewhere or feel like purchasing one would be a good investment, then do not hesitate and go for it. Also, remember to inspect it all the time and repair any areas that might be damaged.
Method #3 – Remove Clutter
Clutter on the stairs is one of the biggest hazards. Children do not pay that much attention to their surroundings, especially when they are running or playing.
Toys, shoes, books, and any other items pose a danger. And it is not just the babies that could end up hurting themselves. Adults are also at risk because you never know when your feet get tangled up in something lying on the stairs.
Stuff should be in a place where it belongs. Do not wait around until something happens. Be proactive and make sure that there is no clutter on your stairs.
Method #4 – Light up the Staircase
Poor lighting is also a common cause of someone ending up injuring themselves on stairs. Now you may not have an option to get light just like that. Again, some stairs come with designs that are too complicated.
If you are in a similar boat, you will have no other choice but to get creative. The goal is to keep the stairs lit and reduce the risk of your baby as well as yourself getting hurt.
Method #5 – Pay Attention Consistently
Stairs are no exception to the saying of “nothing lasts forever”, no matter what they are made of.
Pay close attention, and if you notice that there are some damages or any other hindrances that could lead to potential accidents, take care of the problem. Exposed nails, loose handrails, and newels, or broken treads are just a few examples of potential problems that old stairs might have.
Method #6 – Teach the Baby to Avoid It
Teaching your baby and keeping them happy from a very early age about potential risks that stairs pose might prove to be quite useful. It might not be impossible to make the child avoid the stairs completely, but encouraging him or her to spend the time in other places would reduce the potential danger.
Method #7 – Ask for Recommendations
If you know other parents who are in a very similar situation, you should ask for their advice. Someone who has more experience than you and is reliable could provide more insight than anyone else.
Conclusion
So to sum everything up, if you are worried that the stairs in your house are a hazard and endangers the safety of your baby, take some action. The methods in this article ought to be more than enough to create a solid strategy and protect your child.
