My daughter’s favorite hangout in our home: our fireplace hearth. The base ledge, which is just the right height to serve as a standing desk of sorts for our tot, is covered with her toys and an edge guard.
However, we worry that our daughter will eventually climb up the ledge into the dirty fireplace and possibly open, or bump her head on, the flue. That’s why we’re going to buy a beanbag and stick it in the fireplace.
If you’re trying to childproof an odd space like the inside of a fireplace, a dangerous corner or a small ledge that you can’t, or don’t want to, block off with traditional gate products, today’s hint is to consider using a beanbag instead.
I can’t take credit for this clever idea – a childproofer who recently came to our home suggested the trick to us when I mentioned that we were worried about the flue but didn’t want to block off our daughter’s hangout with a gate.
Others like this trick as well. For instance, a blogger on the site Offbeat Families recently shared how she used two beanbags to block off her entertainment equipment after she couldn’t find a good babygate solution.
Not only do the bags serve as “built-in crash pads” that her tot climbs, and plays, on, but the writer also says they’re a comfortable story time spot and can be used as extra living room seating. And Cinplify.com points out that you also can buy outdoor-friendly beanbags to help childproof your outside space.
Another bonus of the bags over gates is that they won’t become unnecessary once childproofing is no longer needed. Instead of ending up tucked away in the garage or storage, the beanbags eventually can just be used as comfortable chairs.
Finally, there is one important caveat to this trick. Make sure to use a beanbag that comes with a childproof closure to help prevent a tot from getting inside the bag (according to Babble.com, beanbags that tots can get into can be deadly and dangerous).
What are your tricks for childproofing fireplaces and other odd spots? What would you consider childproofing with a beanbag and why?
Never thought to childproof a fireplace we have the electric fireplace and the kids love sitting in front of it and I make sure when its on I am sitting by them.
That’s a great idea! We don’t have fireplace, but I’ll remember this for the future!
My little boy loves putting stuff in our fireplace. Luckily we hardly use it. But childproofing is definitely a good idea!