4 Methods for Baby Proofing Your Apartment Balcony

An apartment balcony is a great amenity to have if you can find one. You’ll enjoy if for gardening, cooking and entertaining purposes. It can also be transformed into a small outdoor play area for your baby, if you know how to baby proof it. Ensuring that the balcony is safe for your baby does require some investment, but not a lot and the benefits make them well worth it.

1 – Balcony Shields

One of the first products you’ll want to buy is a balcony shield. These are large rolls of thick plastic shields that cover the spaces in between your balcony posts. They’re also called banister shields, because you can use them indoors. Your baby won’t be able to fit her head or body through the balcony posts when you install the shield. It’s recommended that you install these when the width between the posts are wider than three inches.

2 – Close the Doors

Even with balcony shields, it’s a good idea to keep the doors to your apartment balcony closed at all times. When it gets hot in the summertime, it can be difficult to commit to that. Your apartment can get stuffy, and you might enjoy the cool air if you’re trying to conserve energy and use the air conditioner less. However, you should find other ways to air out the apartment. Open windows instead, and block out the heat by putting window film on them. When the door is closed, your baby won’t be able to go on the balcony when you’re not looking.

3 – Baby Gate

One alternative to keeping the door closed at all times is to buy a baby safety gate. You’ll want to buy a pressure-mounted gate so that you can easily remove the gate from the doorway when you’re done using it for the day. You don’t need to worry about drilling holes or permanent installations for the gate, and you can use it in other areas of the apartment. A baby safety gate is not only cost effective, but also it’s well worth the money you spend to ensure that your baby is safe.

4 – Play Pen

It’s not a good idea to have your baby roam freely about on the balcony, especially if you use it for many purposes. For example, if you’re growing container plants on the balcony, your baby will at some point make her way into them and like other children, try to eat the dirt. Then, there’s the equipment you store on the balcony which may attract your baby’s attention, such as barbecue grills. A play pen is the perfect solution for keeping your baby safe on the balcony.  You still have to make sure that plants and equipment are not within her reach, or hanging over her. There will come a time when she can stand in the play pen and pull things down on her.

Your first priority should be to proof the inside of your apartment. Once that’s done, baby proof your apartment balcony too.