How to Protect a Sleepwalker

During sleepwalking, a person walks as if he were awake while in a trance-like state. Many people sleepwalk, and the practice usually is not harmful. However, accidents may occur, and there are steps you can take to help protect a sleepwalker.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Provide a safe sleeping environment if you live with a sleepwalker. Make sure all windows and outside doors are locked, sharp objects are stored and anything that a person could trip over are out of the way. If your home has stairs, consider blocking them at night with a temporary gate.

2. Consider placing your bed on the floor without a frame, or with a low frame. You also can sleep on an air bed that is low to the ground if you or your mate sleepwalk. If your child is a sleepwalker, consider the same precautions, or add rails to his bed.

3. Install alarms. Placing an alarm or a bell on a bedroom door can help wake a sleepwalker up and it can also alert others in the home that the sleepwalker is up. Place a baby monitor in a child's room.

4. Reduce stress. If you're a sleepwalker, do a relaxing activity before bed like meditating, reading or soaking in a warm bath. Encourage your sleepwalking spouse or children to find stress reduction activities that work for them.

Resources

• Fine relaxation techniques at the University of Maryland Medical Center website.

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