MMC Blog

Last Updated: October 6, 2017 

When you have a baby or toddler, it can feel like the entire world is conspiring to hurt your child. Everywhere you go, you can spot potential dangers: electrical sockets without safety covers, unwashed hands covered in bacteria, heavy boxes stacked precariously . . . Although some of the “dangers” you spot are the result of an overactive imagination, others are very real and extremely dangerous.

For example, have you ever spotted a perilous railing? Railings are found on porches, decks, patios, steps, and on and on the list goes . . . When properly constructed, they protect adults and larger children from falling – but do they protect babies? Sometimes, but not always. Babies are so tiny, they can slip through the openings of a railing or crawl underneath if the railing is poorly constructed or the child isn’t properly supervised. All parents of infant children should be concerned with railing safety for babies. To keep your baby safe and sound, check out our tips for choosing and improving railings below.

Railing Safety for Babies

Purchase a quality, up-to-code product.

First, unless you’re a trained, knowledgeable, and experienced contractor, do not construct your own railing from scratch. Not only is it a difficult project to tackle, but also if you don’t complete the job properly, you will threaten the safety of everyone who uses it.

Instead, purchase a top-quality, reliable railing system that adheres to the railing safety code. Created by certified professionals, the railing safety code helps your family stay safe. The code specifies how high the railings should be, how much space is allowed between the vertical posts, how far the bottom rail should be from the surface beneath, and so on and so forth. Some of these specifications are crucial in protecting babies and toddlers. For example, the International Building Code (IBC) stipulates that the balusters of a railing should be constructed in such a way that a sphere with a 4-inch diameter cannot pass through any opening. This helps ensure that a child can’t slip through the railing.

Install your railing properly.

Once you’ve purchased a dependable railing, you will need to install it properly. Follow the instructions carefully – don’t even think about taking any shortcuts! If you know someone who has a lot of experience in construction, consider asking him or her for help. And if you don’t feel comfortable installing the railing yourself, hire a professional to do the job for you. Check that the railing is level and sturdy to ensure railing safety for babies, children, and adults of all ages.

Watch out for potentially hazardous railings.

Wherever you go, keep an eye out for potentially hazardous railings. Although railings found on commercial and residential property must adhere to building codes, that doesn’t mean you won’t ever confront an unsafe railing. Some railings haven’t been updated in decades, and they may adhere to the standards of an outdated (and unsafe) building code. For example, a two-year-old girl fell to her death by slipping through a railing with 6-inch gaps between its balusters in Virginia Beach in 2011. The railing, constructed in the 1960s, was built under an older code that allowed for the wide spacing. In addition, some railings have horizontal crossbeams (which your child could climb up).

When you’re out and about, exploring the world with your child, keep the following tips in mind as well:

• When traveling, be cautious of railings you encounter, especially those located outdoors and in remote places.
• Watch out for railings that have a lot of space between the balusters. Some railings are outdated and don’t comply with the four-inch-sphere rule.
• Don’t let your toddler climb on railings that have horizontal crossbeams. If your home’s railings have horizontal crossbeams, you will need to take further precautions (see below).
• Don’t place furniture near your railings, as this can tempt children to play near the edge. If you go somewhere where furniture resides beside a railing, don’t let your child climb on it.

Always supervise your child.

This should go without saying, but when your baby is on a porch, deck, balcony, staircase, or catwalk, you should always be monitoring him or her. Some parents assume that the railing will keep their baby safe, but small children often find a way of squeezing through spaces thought to be impassable. Never leave your baby alone, relying on a railing for safety, and don’t let your toddler play on railings – this is a recipe for disaster. Railing safety for babies starts with you, so don’t neglect your parenting duties even if you’re relatively sure that a railing is secure.

Consider purchasing a safety product.

If a railing is located in a space that your baby frequents at home (a deck, a second-floor landing, a balcony), consider taking further precautions. To ensure that your child can’t slip through wide openings or climb up horizontal bars, consider adding a railing or banister guard to your railing. Available at stores like Target, Walmart, Amazon, and Babies “R” Us, these protective products are inexpensive and easily installed. For indoor railings, you could also install clear polycarbonate panels; they’re very strong and can be applied to slightly curved railings. For outdoor railings, you could also use a heavy-duty mesh, deck netting, a shade cloth, or garden fencing.

 _____

Now that you’ve learned about the importance of railing safety for babies, you understand how crucial it is to choose a quality railing product and install it properly. If you’re interested in purchasing a new railing, do yourself a favor and check out MMC Fencing & Railing. In our online shop, we sell aluminum and vinyl railing in a variety of styles and colors. No matter what you’re looking for and no matter what your budget, you’re sure to find something beautiful. Give us a call at 1-866-931-5002.