Kids spend time alone in their bedrooms, making this space particularly prone to safety concerns. Recently, millions of window blinds were recalled due to injuries they caused to children. Knowing what hazards could be present in the home is the first step in preventing the injury or even the death of a child.
Keep Kids Safe While Decorating Their Space
When painting a child’s bedroom, consider using a paint that is low in volatile organic compounds, or VOC’s. There are many paints on the market today which significantly reduce or eliminate the amount of chemical off-gassing present in a space, making the air safer to breathe. Although much of the off-gassing occurs as the walls are painted, chemicals can be released into the air for years, even after the paint has dried.
Using natural materials in a child’s room, such as cotton upholstery and wool rugs, will help to eliminate even more chemicals from the air in the room. In a time when so many children are being diagnosed with allergies and asthma, parents are wise to consider the air quality in the room when decorating.
Avoid Accidents Caused by Furniture
All furniture taller than 30” high that is placed in a child’s bedroom should be fastened to the wall with braces made for this purpose. That would include most bookcases, tall dressers and armoires. This simple installation method will keep the furniture from falling on a child who climbs on them. Placing a small stool near tall bookcases or cabinets gives the child a way to reach items on high shelves without climbing on the furniture.
Also, keeping furniture away from windows, if possible, is a key way to avoid a potentially fatal safety hazard in the bedroom. Every year, children fall from open windows when they climb on a bed, lose their balance and fall into the screen. Placing cribs and beds on walls opposite windows will keep children from getting too close to the windows.
Safety at the Window
When considering window treatments for a child’s bedroom, opting for valances or top treatments over long drapery panels is the safest choice. Children can get tangled in large amounts of fabric, and can strangle themselves in this way. They also have the potential of pulling heavy drapery rods out of the wall, raising the possibility they will be hit in the head by falling items.
Blinds and shades today are available with cordless operating systems. This system eliminates the use of lifting cords, which will keep children from becoming entangled in them. Continuous cord loop operating systems are also a safer alternative to traditional cord systems. When shopping for blinds with a more traditional operating system, make sure the cord tassels are of the “break-away” type which will release if too much pressure is put on them. This keeps a child from becoming tangled in the cord.
Simple Child Safety Tips
In a child's bedroom, as well as in the rest of the home, electrical outlets should be kept covered unless they are in use. Parents should make sure children know the dangers of electricity, and teach them that fingers and other objects should be kept away from outlets.
Keeping the floor free of clutter will prevent accidental falls and injuries. Area rugs should have non-slip pads under them to keep them from slipping and causing injury to a child.
A child’s bedroom should be a safe, fun place for learning and relaxing. By following a few simple precautions, every child can enjoy the safety of their bedroom. For more information on low-VOC paint, see the Benjamin Moore website. To find an assortment of blinds with child safety features, see the Hunter Douglas website.
Teri Larsen - Professional Interior Designer, Freelance Writer, Executive Editor of Metro Women Magazine, Mom of 2, Artist and Generally Creative ...
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