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Property/DIY

Balcony safety for toddler

16 replies

MissBrighton · 25/04/2015 06:09

In two weeks time we are moving to an apartment on the 7th floor. It has a small balcony off the living room. I am worried about balcony safety as I have an adventurous 13 month DS who loves to climb. The balcony itself looks pretty safe, it's high enough with vertical bars. We won't leave any furniture or other items out, install stair gate and not let him on there unsupervised. But just in case the impossible happens and he sneaks past us, I want to put up a safety net so he can't fall down. Anyone have any experience with this? What netting did you use and how did you secure it? Anyone used this product www.kidpro.eu/index.html

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MissBrighton · 25/04/2015 06:26

Pressed send to early then got interrupted by DS wake up call! Any advice / experience would be greatly appreciated. Thanks ladies.

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Seriouslyffs · 25/04/2015 07:04

Clicky link
Here
The nets look great, but are only as good as their installation. See what they recommend.
It's not what you want to hear, but I'd not live 7 floors up with a balcony and toddler.
You'll need to have very strict rules about keeping it locked when he's around etc.

MissBrighton · 25/04/2015 08:58

I just stopped myself wanting to explain our reasons to move there - I felt compelled as you seem to imply this is an irresponsible choice. What I am looking for is tips and advice on child proofing a balcony. Many families live with balconies so I'm sure there is a wealth of experience out there. I agree of course that it needs to be perfectly installed. My partner is a carpenter / builder so I feel confident that will be done properly.

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wowfudge · 25/04/2015 09:16

It's easy enough to keep a door locked though isn't it Seriously? There must be hundreds of thousands of families living safely in homes with balconies. You could enclose the balcony as is common in Spain - obviously depends on the rules where you live, etc. and it doesn't always look great.

Have never seen the nets before - looks an interesting idea.

SolomanDaisy · 25/04/2015 09:27

You'll need to check the building regulations, when we had a balcony the building rules banned netting above the balcony. We didn't need it below as it was solid brick. We just had a bolt right at the top of the door.

Seriouslyffs · 25/04/2015 09:46

wowfudge think how often people lock themselves out/ lose keys/ have to call a locksmith out etc.
I'd lock the balcony and keep the key in sight but out of reach.
And obviously families in other countries combine balconies and toddlers but a) accidents do happen, I'm not going to be crass enough to link to figures and b) we don't have a culture of apartment living, so you will have friends saying isn't he allowed out there, oops, leaving the door open after nipping out for a cigarette workers leaving buckets he could climb on etc.

MissBrighton · 25/04/2015 09:55

Thanks ladies. We have the landlords permission and he advised us not to consult the concierge unless there is a complaint. The balcony is positioned in a way that the netting is not visible to anyone else but us. A high bolt is a great idea as well. I think I'll just do all of it!

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Hulababy · 25/04/2015 10:06

We lived in a 5th floor apartment when did was a toddler. Was our own and a choice so not sure if that's different.

We had a baby gate on the door of the balcony and only had the balcony door open if there was an adult in the room.

Was lovely though.

MissBrighton · 25/04/2015 10:10

Seriously that is exactly the reason I want the netting there. People are only human and have lapses in concentration. Accidents do happen - children fall down stairs and out of their first floor bedroom windows because of it. I just think your response was not very helpful to my original question as safety is actually the very thing I'm wanting to address.

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MissBrighton · 25/04/2015 10:17

hulababy yes the views are lovely and so is the apartment. Baby gate is also something we are going to install. We have a swing shut so it shuts by itself.

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Fleecyleesy · 25/04/2015 10:22

I would have a complete ban at all times for toddler on balcony. This is what we used to do when dc were younger and we went on holiday.

specialsubject · 25/04/2015 11:27

high bolt and keep the key on the top of the door frame if there is a suitable ledge.

AND netting. But rules are he does not go on the balcony.

Ruby1927 · 11/02/2017 02:21

Don't kids tend to climb up netting? I'd have thought it fairly easy with little feet and hands.

Applesauce29 · 12/02/2017 10:41

Just FYI - when my toddler was two he started moving things (tables, boxes etc) closer to thing so he could climb over the baby gates etc. They only slow them down, so not a substitute for watching them at all times. I'd just keep the door locked if possible (unless there's more than one person so always eyes on the baby)- a pain, I know!

madeleinecreek · 12/02/2017 18:43

I'd add a safety chain or bolt to the top of the door - its helpful to have a visual sign that the door is locked.

marjanecarvalho · 27/04/2017 23:14

@missbrighton how did you resolve the issue? I am curious as I am having the same, I am very scared.

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