What Safety Features Can be Integrated into Custom Kids’ Closet Designs?

Importance of Safety in Kids’ Closet Designs

Safety Concerns 

When choosing a closet system for your child, safety should be one of your top priorities. Kids are naturally curious and may climb shelves, pull out drawers, and explore every nook and cranny. This curiosity can lead to falls, choking hazards, and accessibility issues if the closet is not designed with safety in mind. Ensuring that every element is secure and child-friendly is essential.

Closet designs for kids should focus on these common safety issues:

• Falls: Secure shelves and furniture to prevent tipping. If your child climbs on their shelves or drawers, you want to know that the whole system won’t tip over onto them.
• Choking Hazards: Keep small, loose items out of your child’s bedroom if they’re at the age where they’re putting things in their mouths. Also, make sure all hardware is securely attached, so they can’t pull it off.
• Accessibility: Store items at the right height for your child to reach without feeling tempted to climb up on the shelves or drawers.

Long-Term Benefits 

Making sure your child’s closet is safe will help you have the peace of mind you need when your little one is alone in his or her bedroom. Keeping the closet safe also means keeping it in good condition, which adds to the closet's durability. 

Some of the long-term benefits of a custom kids’ closet are:

• Grow with your child: Adjustable rods and shelves can keep up with your child’s changing needs and preferences over time. Switch shelves around, add another hanging rod, or simply move items up to correlate to your child’s height.
• More usability: Easy-to-reach storage encourages independence, which will inspire your child to learn how to use their components on their own.
• Increased longevity: Durable materials and secure installations will last longer. It’s very possible that the closet you design for your toddler will still be in good condition when he or she reaches the teen years.

Essential Safety Features for Custom Kids’ Closets

Rounded Edges and Corners 

Sharp edges can cause injuries, especially for younger children who are still mastering their motor skills. Using rounded edges can reduce the risk of bumps and bruises.

For example, choose furniture with rounded edges or add edge guards to existing furniture. These small adjustments help keep your child from bumping their head on a hard corner.

Secured Shelving and Furniture

It’s vital to secure mounted shelves and furniture to the wall, so they can’t tip. Use wall anchors and brackets to ensure everything stays in place, even if your child decides to climb or pull on them. 

Use sturdy materials, like wood or melamine, as these will stand up to heavy use. If you were to choose wire shelving, for example, the weight of your child could buckle it or even send it crashing to the floor. 

Childproof Locks and Latches 

Drawers and cabinets within the closet should be equipped with childproof locks and latches. This feature keeps hazardous items, such as small objects that could be choking hazards, out of reach. 

Since it’s mainly young children who will be putting items in their mouths, these latches and locks are most sensible to install on lower drawers and cabinets. You also don’t want to frustrate yourself, so choose locks that are hard for a preschooler or toddler to open but still easy for you to access quickly.

Non-Toxic Materials 

Make sure the materials and finishes used in the closet are non-toxic. Look for certifications, like Greenguard or other eco-friendly labels, that indicate the materials are safe for children.

Some ways you can be sure you’re choosing materials that are safe for your child are to check labels and avoid harsh chemicals. Some things you want to avoid are formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). If you can choose natural finishes, like water-based paints, these are great, as they’re less likely to emit fumes. Cocoon has some additional ideas for remodeling with children’s safety in mind.

Proper Ventilation 

Proper ventilation is essential for preventing mold and mildew, which can cause respiratory issues. The closet is often closed off and can get musty and humid, particularly in upstairs bedrooms during the summer. 

Some ideas to improve ventilation are to install vented doors, add a dehumidifier, and keep the closet door open a bit. You can also add a fan or open the window in your child’s bedroom to add more airflow to the room and closet.

Additional Safety Enhancements

Anti-Tip Straps

 Anti-tip straps can help secure tall furniture pieces to the wall. They ensure that the shelves will remain stable, even if your child attempts to climb them – preventing dangerous tip-overs.

To use these, you’ll want to secure the straps to the wall studs to make sure they’re stable. Since jostling the furniture around can loosen the straps over time, it’s important to check them periodically and tighten them if needed.

Soft-Close Drawers and Doors 

No-slam mechanisms on drawers and doors can prevent squished fingers. These features ensure that even if little hands are in the way, they won’t get hurt.

The benefits of soft-close mechanisms include:

• Finger protection: Prevent injuries caused by slamming drawers and doors.
• Noise reduction: Minimize noise – creating a quieter, more peaceful environment not only for your child but also for others within earshot.
• Durability: Reduce wear and tear on furniture – thanks to less slamming – extending its lifespan.

Adjustable Closet Rods and Shelving 

Adjustable closet rods and shelving provide a lot of versatility as your child grows. You can move the components up or down to accommodate changing needs. This means that when you switch out clothes seasonally, you can create more shelf space if needed. Also, as your child gets taller, simply move the closet elements up.

Some of the advantages of adjustable rods and shelving include customizable storage that can change as needed, more independence for your child since they can reach everything no matter what their age, and a future-proof design that won’t need replacements simply because your child grew older.

Lighting and Visibility 

Good lighting helps your child see better, which can be a safety benefit. Rummaging around in a dark closet can lead to stubbed toes, pinched fingers, and bumped heads. It also makes it easier for kids to find their belongings – reducing hassle for everyone.

A few ideas for lighting include:

• Motion-sensor lights: This will make sure the lights turn on when your child opens the door, so they won’t be looking for items in the dark simply because they forgot to turn on the light.
• LED strips: LED strips are safe, don’t get hot, and are convenient to put along the edges of shelves and other potentially dark areas.
• Consider timed lighting: If you can set a timer for your child’s closet light to turn on a little before it’s time for them to wake up, you’ll be able to use it as a signal that it’s almost time to start the day.

Tips for Ensuring Safety During Installation

Professional Installation 

Hiring my team for the installation can help you make sure that the closet is as safe as possible. We have the expertise to install everything securely, and we’re highly experienced at working with children and their families.

You’ll want to make sure that you work with someone with the expertise and equipment to properly mount the components in your kids’ closet. Also, we work quickly – saving you time and stress.

Regular Safety Checks 

Once the closet is installed, it’s important to check for safety regularly. You’ll want to make sure that everything remains tightly secured or to quickly detect when something isn’t as safe as it should be.

Some tips for keeping your kids’ closets safe include:

• Inspect regularly: Check all safety features, including anchors, locks, and straps, for signs of wear or damage.
• Test functionality: Make sure the soft-close drawers and childproof locks are working correctly.
• Update as needed: Replace or repair any worn or damaged components to maintain safety.

Conclusion

Designing a safe and functional closet for your child doesn’t have to be overwhelming. The Memphis Garage & Closets team will be right by your side – creating a professional design, ordering the appropriate components for your little one’s closet, and then installing them tightly and securely, so nothing will tip over or break. Contact us anytime to schedule a free consultation, and we’ll get you and your child started on a journey toward better (and safer!) organization.

Source

• https://thecocoon.com/blog/kid-friendly-design/