Keeping Them Safe

Creating children’s bedrooms is a wonderful experience, from the designing, shopping, through to admiring the finished room. There are lots of things to consider such as colour schemes, furniture combinations and accessories but there is also one big thing to consider and that is safety. If you think about keeping your child’s bedroom safe, you will all sleep better at night. Here are a few top tips to help you make your child’s room safe and secure.

Where to position the bed is an important part of organising a child’s bedroom, being the biggest piece of furniture it often dictates where everything else will go. It is also important to consider a few safety points before making your final decision.

If you don’t have any latches or locks on the bedroom window, don’t put the bed under the window. It is amazing how quickly little fingers learn how to open windows.

Also think about where the radiator is in the room, it can be nice to have the bed near the radiator in the winter but you also need to ensure that younger children don’t burn their fingers.

Window safety latch

On the subject of windows if you have any concerns about your child being able to climb up onto the windowsill, it is worth investing in safety latches to stop the window being fully opened.

The latches mean that the windows can only be opened a few centimetres but an adult can easily unhook the latches if needed. Failing that, most new windows have locks but that does mean that you have to remember to lock it each time you shut the window.

Window blind safety

If you opt for blinds rather than curtains for your child’s bedroom, all blinds should now come with safety catches as standard to ensure that no blind cords are hanging down, as these are extremely dangerous for children.

If the blinds are professionally fitted, the safety devices will be fitted for you as part of the service but if you are putting them up yourself, follow the installation instructions carefully and make sure that there is no chance of the catches coming loose or breaking. The safety devices do not affect the way the blind works.

Adding in a lamp or nightlight can often add reassurance to a child at night time or can create the perfect low level light for calm bedtime stories.

Make sure that if the lamp has a cord, it is tucked out of the way so that there isn’t the temptation to pull it and if it is a lamp that gets quite hot, make sure that it is in a position where your little one can’t touch it.

String lights are quite a popular addition to children’s bedrooms but these should be kept up high out of the way and if they have a battery compartment, ensure that this is safely out of reach.

Plug socket cover

When you childproof your house the bedroom should also be included. Keep all exposed electric sockets plugged with socket covers and if there is any furniture with sharp angled corners, you can buy plastic corner covers, which stick on to the corners and make them safer.

If your children are young, think about cupboards and drawers, do they need childproof latches to stop trapped fingers or unwanted climbing.

Bunk beds and high sleepers are not suitable for younger children, maybe invest in a cabin bed with a small amount of storage underneath or a trundle style bed with an extra mattress stowed underneath that can be easily pulled out if you have a friend to stay over.

If you are accessorising the walls with pictures, photo frames or mirrors it is best to avoid putting anything too heavy over the bed area, if it was knocked down or fell down when your child was in bed, it could cause a serious injury.

Light frames or posters are best around the bed and anything heavier should be securely fixed elsewhere in the room.

Child attempting to climb a set of drawers

Most furniture now comes with attachments and instructions how to attach to the wall. But, if not, it is easy enough to pick up brackets or safety straps that can be easily attached and ensure that all of the bedroom furniture is secure and can’t be pulled over.

See Also
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