Important Safety Features of Children’s Furniture
Children have such fantastic imaginations. Their furniture can become anything: a den, a pirate ship, a haunted castle. When your children are at a tender age, it’s important to limit the potential safety hazards in their bedrooms without impeding on their sense of fun. Not only does that make playtime more enjoyable, but as a worrying parent, it’s a load off your mind. Here are some key safety features you should consider when decking out your child’s bedroom:
Safety Features to Consider
Durable Material
Let’s be honest, this furniture is going to get some serious stick over the years – you won’t be able to buy cheap, low-quality material. You’ll only be replacing destroyed desks and gnawed bedposts in the future. Choose durable and strong materials which will stand the test of time.
Give it a shake. If it wobbles, don’t buy it; the furniture has to be sturdy. You know your kid – they’re going to stand on it at some point and you don’t want a piece of furniture collapsing under the weight.
Double check that the surfaces are rounded, without any jutting corners or sharp lines. The last thing you need is a rush to A&E. There will be knocked heads and carpet burns, but at least this way, the potential damage is limited.
Locks and Bolts
Nothing in your child’s room should involve some kind of locking mechanism. If a toy chest has a bolt, don’t purchase it. Just imagine what an older sibling could do with your youngest and a box with a padlock. Any large boxes should be fitted with ventilation holes, just in case your child tries to use it for hide-and-seek.
Beds
If your child’s bed requires railings, make sure that they’re close enough together so your child can’t get their head stuck. Bunk beds should have fixed ladders which are completely slip resistant. The top bunk should always have a high guard rail to avoid falling children. For small kids, you should purchase a bed which is close to the floor.
Bookcases
Sure, any good parent will encourage their kids to start reading at a young age; however, any bookcases need to be fixed to the wall to prevent them from accidentally toppling. The same goes for large chest-of-drawers which your child might decide to climb up.
Out With The Old
You might have a cherished piece of furniture that your grandmother passed down to you. This belongs in another part of the house though, as it won’t meet with modern safety regulations. Yes, they don’t make high chairs like they used to… and there’s a very good reason for that.
Washable Surfaces
Give a child a set of felt tips and they’ll want to turn all of their furniture into a piece of art. If you choose washable and safe surfaces, you’ll life will be a lot easier. With one sweep of a cloth, your child’s furniture can stay presentable. When you’ve got a mound of laundry to get through, the less cleaning you have to do, the better!
This blog post was written by blogger Jamie Knop on behalf of Innova Solutions.
