When you choose to extend your home, you are given additional space for you and your family to enjoy. Having that extra space can make such a difference, especially when you have younger children, but it’s so important to make sure that all safety precautions are considered and any extensions are designed to be child-friendly, if you plan to do some add a chimney, try getting the help from experts like Affordable Chimney Repairs Dublin. They offer budget friendly Chimney Inspection and Chimney Installation Services. When converting your loft, it’s even more important to ensure those child-friendly steps are taken to ensure they can enjoy the new areas of your home as much as you do.
Stairs and Hatches
One of the most important things to think about, before it even comes to the design and layout of the loft itself, is the access. There are a variety of different loft entrance designs that can be used, such as loft ladders, loft stairs and so on. If you’re planning your loft conversion to have a staircase, then it’s important to make sure there are safety gates at the top and bottom of these stairs, just as you would do with your main staircase. If, however, you intend to keep the loft hatch and use some safe loft ladders to enter the newly converted room, then you need to make sure that you’re investing in a loft ladder with sides, and grip to help your child when using it. You should also, always stand behind your child as they enter the loft to ensure that they are supported, should they need it.
Secure Windows
The majority of loft conversions will have beautiful Velux windows that allow a generous amount of natural light to flow throughout the room. These windows however, open very wide and can therefore be a safety issue when you have young children around. As you will know, little ones like to climb and explore places that are out of bounds, so by making sure your windows are child-friendly you can let them roam free and enjoy the new space you have. There are many different child-safety locks for Velux windows on the market that help to lock the windows in place and prevent them from being opened wider or slamming shut, which is ideal for when little fingers are involved.
Electrical Safety
When it comes to the interior of your home, you can never be over the top with safety features. It’s difficult to know what’s necessary and what may be a little too much, but one thing that needs to be covered is the electrical safety. If your loft conversion has lots of new plugs to make the room easily usable, then you need to look at covering the plugs to ensure they’re hidden from little ones. As mentioned before, children love to put their fingers in places they shouldn’t, and a plug socket can strangely seem appealing to a child. It will also make the room look neater and tidier, as when the plugs aren’t in use they will be hidden and blend into the wall. Similarly, if you have lots of loose wires in the room, especially around a TV, it’s always a good idea to tie them together to keep them safe. This will prevent your child from tripping over them, as well as keeping things nice and neat in your newly designed room.
Child-Friendly Furniture
If you intend to have your child in your loft conversion frequently, then you need to make sure that the furniture it suitable for them. Sofa with a stain-proof material are one of the best investments you will make, along with cupboards with child locks on the doors and drawers, and tables with curved edges rather than sharp, pointy ones. These little features may seem small, but they can cause issues when young children are around, so it’s important to think about them in advance.
