Staircase Railings & Child Safety
Although updated building codes require that there be no more than four inches of space between the railings on staircases, accidents still can happen. Parents and caregivers should take precautions to see that stair railings conform to child safety codes and that attention is paid to anything needed repairing or replacing so that child safety will be ensured. There are safety measures that can be taken to ensure child safety around stair railings.
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Examining for Safety
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Stair railings should be inspected periodically to make sure they are sturdy and do not wobble. If you are having your home built, you should examine the stair railings yourself and bring it to the builder's attention if you think they are too loose.
If you move into an older home or into a home that was built before you moved in, the first thing you need to do before taking possession is to check the stair railings and make or arrange for any necessary repairs before your child is brought into the house.
Baby Gates
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Baby gates can be effective in keeping children away from stairs and stair railings, and the newer ones conform to all safety standards. They are also easy to remove and install, making them easy to carry from one place to another.
Even if the baby gate is new, there should be no more than two finger widths of space between any of the openings in the gate. You should check for this yourself when you buy the gate before you install it.
The older model of accordion baby gates should never be used. The spaces are too big, and there is too much danger of a child slipping through or getting stuck in one.
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Baby Netting
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Baby netting is an alternative to gates and can be used on outside stair railings as well as on the inside. Parents should take care, however, to make sure that the strings, fasteners or other items used to secure the netting to the stair railings are out of the child's reach to avoid the child getting caught in them, pinched by them or strangled.
Baby netting should not be too tight as it may cause a trampoline effect. Your child can bounce off the netting and get injured from the resulting fall.
Baby netting should not be too loose. You will not get the full protection if it sags or gives so much that the stair railings are exposed. Also, there is the possibility that the child could be strangled.
Space between Stair Railings
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If there is too much space between stair railings, you might have to have the railings remodeled or reconstructed so that the space is smaller.
Parental Supervision Around Stair Railings
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Safety gates, netting, proper spacing or any other safety features do not take the place of parental supervision. When children are near stair railings, they should be constantly watched or moved to a safer location.
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