This is a collaborative post
These days, many people live in houses with both their children and the children’s grandparents. Aside from the fact that it’s cheaper and much more achievable than buying a family home each, there are some benefits to sharing: It is possible to keep an eye on elderly relatives who may have increasing mobility needs, and there are often willing babysitters around!
However creating the type of house that you can happily share is tricky. For example, the bathroom; how do you make it safe for both elderly relatives and young children who have very different needs? Here are some tips.
If you have a young child who is just starting to crawl, and you live in a two-storey house, you’ll need to take action to make your staircase child friendly. It’s not just the baby gate you need to think about, there’s a whole host of factors which can make your staircase dangerous to a young one.
Here’s everything you need to know about family friendly stairs.
Closed treads
The treads of the stairs are the steps themselves. Open treads can be dangerous, particular for small children and those with limited mobility. In most homes, they are closed anyway but in the event that yours aren’t, now is the time to act and close them over to ensure your little one or elderly relatives (or you) can’t fall through them. Staircases Edinburgh offer staircase renovation projects to make your stairs safe.
Lower rails
Most stair components are designed for adults, so fit an additional rail which sits lowers than the normal rail at the right height for children. This will mean that they have something to hold onto comfortably, without reaching for the higher rail which is a fall risk within itself. Ideally there should be a railing at both sides of the stairs.
Stair lift
Consider a stair lift to make going up and down the stairs easier for anyone with limited mobility. You can buy stairlifts in the UK from many different suppliers who will come to your home, free of charge, and provide a quote for you. A stair lift is a good shout if you’re thinking of staying in your house for the long term; think of it as futureproofing.
Carpet
If you have carpet which is damaged, loose or fraying, it is important to replace it. The carpet needs to be secure and tight, as even the smallest wrinkle can catch on someone’s toes and cause a fall which can be much more dangerous for elderly people. If you have wooden stairs, fit a runner or slip-resistant pads to stop children or adults from slipping when they’re wearing socks.
Stair gates
You should have a stair gate at the top and bottom of the stairs to stop children from going on the stairs unaccompanied. For safety the top one should always screw into the banister – if you’re living in a rental home and can’t do this, there are devices you can fit to your banister which you can then drill into, with no damage to the actual banister.
Bannister protection
Your banister railings need attention, because there’s a chance your child could fall through them or get stuck. If you are unable to change the width between the railings, get a get a sturdy sheet of plastic and place it against the bannister. This will stop curious children having a serious accident, and they’re easy to fit yourself. This works well if your home is rented and you can’t change the staircase itself.
