Safe Proofing Balconies For Children

[Thailand1977]

I may have to move to central BKK shortly and i'm wondering if there are any professional reliable products on the market to safe proof a balcony for a toddler who loves climbing.

Or alternatively has anyone done it themselves?

[stoneyboy]

I think this just about sums it up.

Balcony safety

Ensure balcony railings are at least 1m high (preferably 1.3m high);

Keep objects that a child can use to stand or climb on away from balconies (including pot plants, outdoor furniture, boxes etc);

Dont put lightweight furniture on the balcony as children can drag it to the edge;

Eliminate gaps that can be used as a foothold to climb;

Eliminate gaps that a child can fit through; and

Ensure windows and doors that open to the balcony are locked when the balcony is not in use.

[Thailand1977]

I think this just about sums it up.

Balcony safety

Ensure balcony railings are at least 1m high (preferably 1.3m high);

Keep objects that a child can use to stand or climb on away from balconies (including pot plants, outdoor furniture, boxes etc);

Dont put lightweight furniture on the balcony as children can drag it to the edge;

Eliminate gaps that can be used as a foothold to climb;

Eliminate gaps that a child can fit through; and

Ensure windows and doors that open to the balcony are locked when the balcony is not in use.

Thats just stating the obvious and doesnt take into account that you cannot keep an eye on your kids every single second.

This is Bangkok we are talking about with bugger all building regulations and kids could climb a 1.3m balcony without a prop.

Are there any products on the market in Thailand to make a balcony safe? No doubt many a parent has this worry.

[wayned]

Hire a welding shop to manufacture and install a chain link enclosure from floor to ceiing. I know, it sounds like a jail. When I was teaching I rented a place during the week and had a lot of problems wwith pidgeons. Hired somebody to make the enclosure, kept the pidgeons out but could easily keep your child safe. Funny, after I did it the owner had similar enclosures installed on all of the units. The pidgeons were really a PITA!

[Thailand1977]

Hire a welding shop to manufacture and install a chain link enclosure from floor to ceiing. I know, it sounds like a jail. When I was teaching I rented a place during the week and had a lot of problems wwith pidgeons. Hired somebody to make the enclosure, kept the pidgeons out but could easily keep your child safe. Funny, after I did it the owner had similar enclosures installed on all of the units. The pidgeons were really a PITA!

I thought that, but there are landlords to consider.

Could you upload a picture so i can see exactly what you mean?

[wayned]

Hire a welding shop to manufacture and install a chain link enclosure from floor to ceiing. I know, it sounds like a jail. When I was teaching I rented a place during the week and had a lot of problems wwith pidgeons. Hired somebody to make the enclosure, kept the pidgeons out but could easily keep your child safe. Funny, after I did it the owner had similar enclosures installed on all of the units. The pidgeons were really a PITA!

I thought that, but there are landlords to consider.

Could you upload a picture so i can see exactly what you mean?

Sorry, don't have a picture. It was chainlink fence welded to 1" metal "D" section, painted silver, and then attached to the building using screws into anchor nuts that were installed into the concrete. you would most likely need landloord approval which I had.

[Thailand1977]

Just found this option on youtube using plastic glass.

Any more ideas are most welcome, must be plenty on here with the same worry.

[wayned]

My installation was permanent. But you could always use a wood frame and wire netting and "tie" it to the balconey railing so that there would not be any reason to drill into the concrete. Plexiglass will also stop airflow which I don't think that you want to do.

[canman]

You either securly enclose the whole balcony or you have a kid proof lock on the door to the balcony. I know it is stating the obvious but the other option is to rent a unit without a balcony. This is what I decided on as I didn't see the point in having a caged in balcony and a chid proof lock is only good if the door is closed and locked.