Why don't builders ever install child-height hand rails going up stairs? Don't most 3+ bedroom homes contain children? I mean, whats the thinking there? I understand not doing say, child size toilets, because kids grow fast and won't use them long. But this is a safety feature. How many kids fall down the stairs a year? Probably a ton. (I'm sure lots of kids fall in the toilet every year too, but thats not dangerous. Just emotionally scarring.) And how helpful is it to hold on to a railing thats higher than your head? It isn't helpful at all, actually. I make my kids hold onto the rail, but when they slip, they're just dangling like they're on monkey bars. Its almost more dangerous. You're already installing a hand rail- for safety- why not install one for kids too?
Once when I was a kid, I tripped on the top step and fell down a whole flight of stairs. Mom said I stuck out my arms and legs in effort to stop myself, but ended up doing a perfect cartwheel down the stairs instead. I'm pretty sure I even landed on my feet.... Anyway this is not the piont....
So I've decided we definitely need to install a child-height handrail going up our stairs. It would get lots of use, for years to come.
this is such a novel slap-your- forehead kind of idea. I wish I could post pics I took of my little one YESTERDAY at the ballet studio. I enjoyed watching her work hard, doing something she could.not.do. a year ago. Im wondering how many little ones go up and down those steps each weekday? (and the toilet comment- only a month into being home with her she did fall.into.the.toilet. We both cried.)
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