If you’re planning on starting a family, or you’ve just welcomed your little one into the world, their safety will be one of the most important considerations when designing your staircase.
Luckily, there are plenty of ways you can make your staircase safe for your child – without having to break the bank or sacrifice your aesthetic.
In this article, our staircase design specialists here at Pear Stairs run through the top 5 options if you’re considering a more family-friendly staircase design.
1. Install baby gates
When your tiny newborn-turned-mischievous toddler finally finds their feet, they’ll be itching to explore their surroundings.
So you need to be prepared and take precautions to keep them safe before their curiosity takes over.
Installing a baby gate at the top and bottom of your stairs is one of the best (and most reliable) ways to prevent your little tyke from taking a tumble down the stairs, and you can rest assured knowing they can play and explore in secure areas without your constant supervision.
2. Consider carpeting
If they’re not already, you should definitely consider carpeting your stairs.
Not only does carpet provide a softer landing than wood if you or your little one should suffer slips and trips, but it also offers more grip – making said slips and trips much less likely.
If you aren’t ready to part with your wooden stairs completely, you can add a stair runner instead for the same effect.
There are hundreds of different colours and patterns available, so you’re bound to find something that suits your style and fits seamlessly into your staircase design.
3. Invest in anti-slip paint
If you’re completely against the idea of adding a carpet or runner to your stairs, anti-slip paint is a great way to add grip to the wood and make the treads less slippery.
This type of paint is sold in most DIY shops and is available in a range of shades so you can select the one that best matches your décor.
4. Add glass panels
Believe it or not, glass staircase panels are much safer than traditional wooden or metal stair spindles.
These spindle railings are designed with gaps, which often are large enough for eager little limbs to slip through.
Glass panels, on the other hand, are designed with gaps too small for them to fall through, which massively boosts the safety of your staircase.
Being clear and allowing more light to flow through your hallways, glass staircase panels also facilitate improved visibility – further enhancing the safety of your staircase.
5. Keep on top of clutter
If you’re guilty of letting toys, shoes, clean laundry, and other bits and bobs accumulate on the bottom few steps of the stairs, you should make a point of clearing everything away and keeping the area tidy.
Slips and trips are bound to happen with so many different obstacles and clearing them away is the simplest (and the cheapest!) way to reduce hazards for your little ones - and yourself, too!
Need help designing a childproof staircase?
Whether you’re planning ahead before your little one arrives, or you’re only just getting around to childproofing your staircase, the team at Pear Stairs would be more than happy to help refine your staircase design.
We’ve been designing staircases for decades, and we’d be more than happy to offer our know-how to help make your home as safe as possible for you and your family.
Give our friendly team a call today on 01938 553 311 or email us at webenquiries@pearstairs.co.uk and we’ll be in touch with expert tips and advice!
