Babyproofing Windows
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There’s not really anyone to teach us what it takes to babyproof a home fully. This is one of those things that you’ve got to figure out yourself. And you can’t neglect it because windows can be a major problem when you have a child.
Children don’t care if they’re safe or not, right? But you do. So it’s time to prevent any accidents from taking place.
Clear the Window Area
Most windows are high enough, aren’t they? Your child is unable to reach them easily. So keeping that in mind, remove all the furniture or any light or heavy objects around the windows. And why do you have to do this? So your child doesn’t use them as a ladder.
This is the first step toward babyproofing your windows.
Lock the Windows
How to babyproof windows in your home? Definitely keep them locked. Many people think that that’s the correct answer. Well, it is the right answer but also an incomplete one. You begin the process of babyproofing your windows by locking them first.
If you’ve misplaced the keys to the window lock, then it’s best to replace those lock barrels. Some of the best babyproofing products consist of window locks that you can use instead of spending a lot of money on replacing lock barrels.
How to Babyproof Windows in Your Home
It’s not just the nighttime diaper that you need to worry about. There are other important aspects too. And one of them is how to babyproof windows in your home. Since I mentioned the best babyproofing products above, it’s time to find out what they are and how to use them.
Using Window Stops
This is a wedge that is suitable for sliding, double-hung, and single hung windows. A window stop does an excellent job at wedging the windows shut. It also holds the window open, but please ensure that the opening is less than four inches wide. Anything larger than that might lead to an accident.
Using a Charley Bar
Every babyproofing checklist should have a Charley bar on it. This method is considered to be the most efficient when it comes to babyproofing sliding windows.
The Charley bar is like the boom gate. In the upward position, it allows you to open the window freely. On the other hand, in the opposite or horizontal position, it wedges the window shut.
Just keep in mind that you need to install a Charley bar upside down, thus keeping it out of your child’s reach.
Using Window Guards
One of the best babyproofing ideas for windows is using a window guard. Not many people like to keep their windows shut at all times. It’s important to maintain air circulation, isn’t it? And a flyscreen just doesn’t make the cut when it comes to providing safety.
In such cases, there’s nothing better for the job than a window guard. It consists of bars that are set apart from each other. The width between two bars doesn’t exceed four inches, so you know that it’s safe.
Plus, the best part about window guards is that they come in all types of different sizes and shapes. This way you get a variety of options to choose from.
How to Babyproof Uncommon Windows in Your Home
Not everybody has the same kind of normal windows, right? So let’s find out how to work with unusual windows.
What you need:
- Velcro strip
- Lexan sheet or plexiglass
- Glue
- Measuring tape
The method:
- Measure the width and height of the window frame.
- Then note down half the height.
- Cut the Lexan sheet to fit the measurements.
- Attach Velcro to the sides of the sheet and hooks to the frame with the help of glue.
And that’s about it!
You can drill some holes in the Lexan sheet to allow air circulation. And instead of using Velcro, you can also opt for a permanent solution like screwing the sheet to that frame.
Here’s a video that shows you how to babyproof your home:
The Final Take
Do you know how to babyproof windows in your home in a more efficient manner? The answer is quite simple. Just tell your child or children not to play on or around the windows.
Now I know that they may not listen to you. But you need to work toward changing that. When something is not right or safe, you have to make it a point to make your child understand that.
We often leave this part out, but that’s not how we’re supposed to deal with important issues. Nothing feels more relieving than looking at your child taking safety into consideration all on her own.
And this brings us to the end of the article. I would love to hear your thoughts about babyproofing windows. How do you keep your child safe?
Please don’t hesitate to share your experiences with us below. The more information we have about this particular topic, the more efficient our efforts would be, right?
I hope you enjoyed reading the article. Please do drop by again.