How to Childproof a Balcony
Every day in American emergency rooms, about 8,000 children are treated for fall-related injuries, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Playing on the balcony where you enjoy scenic views and relaxing moments could make your child part of that statistic if the area isn't properly childproofed. Sky-high apartment balconies aren't the only risky areas. Even a second-story loft, a veranda off of your private bedroom or a low balcony sitting a few feet above your yard should be fitted with safety gear that will keep your child secure at home.
Things You'll Need
- Security cables
- Sand bags
- Deck anchors
- Measuring tape
- Outlet covers
- Sandpaper
- Primer
- Exterior paint
- Brushes
- Childproof door lock
- Rolls of balcony guard sheeting
- Hole punch
- Plastic cable ties
- Eyelet screws
Instructions
Shake the balcony railing, step on every inch of the flooring and inspect balcony walls for cracks. Hire a building professional to replace any part of the balcony that is shaky, weak or cracked. Move potted plants, furniture, grills and other objects away from railings to prevent children from boosting themselves up over the railing. Anchor large objects if possible to prevent children from pushing them back toward the railing. Tie chairs and tables together with security cables to make furniture too difficult for a child to move on his own, place sand bags around each object or install deck anchors in a slatted balcony floor and attach furniture to them. Measure the distance between the balcony floor and the top edge of the railing. Contact your city's office of code enforcement to verify that the railing is adequately tall. Balconies in older homes may not reflect current safety codes and should be rebuilt. Install sliding outlet covers on any balcony outlets. Sand down any splinters or sharp edges on wooden balusters or slats. Sand down any sections of peeling paint, apply a coat of primer and repaint using exterior paint. Install a childproof lock on the door leading to the balcony. Verify that you and other adults can open the door quickly in case of emergency, advises the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Measure the distance between the balusters in the balcony railing and the distance between the balcony floor and the railing's bottom edge. If there are gaps of 3 1/2 inches or greater, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development suggests creating a railing guard. Buy rolls of clear balcony guard sheeting and use a hole punch to make holes that line up with the top and bottom of the balusters at intervals of a few feet. Attach the sheeting with plastic cable ties. If you're extending the sheeting all the way to the balcony's floor, curve the bottom edge of the sheeting so the material lies flush on the floor and use eyelet screws to secure it.