The comfort and safety of young children between infancy and the age of seven are every parent’s priority, and many of today’s interior designers are careful to foster a safe yet engaging space where children can play, grow, and thrive without exposure to unnecessary risks in the home.

Interior designer Heba Hussein spoke to Al-Ahram Weekly about the importance of thoughtful measures to ensure safety in children’s bedrooms. She explained that one of the key strategies involves using concealed door handles (built-in handles) for the bedroom and other interior doors, eliminating the risk of children hanging on protruding handles which could lead to injuries. 

The positioning and design of the bed are also crucial. “I recommend placing the bed against a wall and ensuring it has minimal height,” Hussein said. “To enhance safety, a reinforced foam barrier can be added on the wall-facing side of the bed, along with a detachable and easy-to-install safety guard on the opposite side. This setup prevents accidental falls when the child is unattended, and the guard can be removed when a parent is present.”

Sherihan Adel, an interior designer and the owner of a children’s furniture company, echoed these sentiments. “Safety is the foremost priority when designing children’s rooms,” she said, pointing to the importance of choosing sturdy furniture and securing heavy items to prevent accidents. She advised against incorporating any glass elements in room decorations.

Interior designer Ahmed Rahhal underlined the need for a shock-absorbent floor, suggesting a foam covering as an effective solution to minimise the risk of injury in the event of a fall.

Adel said that it is important to create a space that fosters free play and skills development and advocated bright, cheerful colours to enhance the room’s atmosphere while steering clear of dark, sombre tones that may negatively affect a child’s mood.

In terms of health and safety, Hussein advises using environmentally friendly wall paints free from harmful chemicals. She also notes the practicality of washable paints that can be easily cleaned with soap and water, accommodating the inevitable creativity of children who often draw or colour on walls.

For storage, Adel recommends incorporating ample storage solutions, such as utilising the space beneath the child’s bed. She also advises positioning storage areas at higher levels to ensure they remain out of the child’s reach, reducing the risk of accidents.

Rahhal warns against using bunk beds, citing the hazards of falls from the upper bunk or accidents while climbing the ladder. He stressed the importance of prioritising accessibility and safety over space-saving designs.

A critical aspect of mattress selection, Hussein added, is steering away from ones made with the toxic chemicals commonly used for fireproofing. She advised parents to choose mattresses certified as safe and non-toxic to ensure their child’s health and well-being.

Adel stressed the critical role of lighting in safety and functionality within a child’s space. She recommended adjustable lighting levels tailored for different times of the day, including softer lighting for bedtime and adequate brightness for morning activities. To enhance convenience and safety, she suggested using lighting systems controlled by a remote control.

Adel also advised positioning windows at a relatively high level, equipping them with fine mesh screens to block mosquitoes and other insects and installing bars for added security should the child manage to reach them.

Expanding to the apartment as a whole, Hussein noted the importance of placing electrical outlets at high levels to keep them out of children’s reach. For existing low-level outlets, Adel suggested using protective covers, while Rahhal advocated child-safe designs that eliminate potential hazards.

Furniture: When selecting furniture for the home, it is important to opt for pieces with rounded edges to prevent injuries. In cases where sharp edges are unavoidable, silicone guards can be added to mitigate risks.

Adel warned against using compressed wood in furniture, particularly in homes with children. She explained that this material, made by binding wood scraps together with adhesives, can contain harmful chemicals that pose serious health risks.

The German Furniture Quality Association has offered valuable tips and guidelines for ensuring a safe home environment for children, highlighting the innovative yet potentially hazardous ways children interact with furniture. For instance, children often repurpose sleeping mattresses as trampolines and use shelves as climbing structures.

Jochen Winning, managing director of the association, cautioned against neglecting to secure drawer units or shelves with proper fixtures. Such negligence could result in furniture toppling over if a child attempts to climb on it. He advised parents to inspect their homes for handles, corners, or sharp edges that are at the height of a young child’s head. To prevent accidents, sharp edges should be covered with protective materials, such as plastic guards.

Hussein said that apartments on a single level are generally safer for children compared to multi-level homes. She also recommended opting for elevated storage units to keep items out of a child’s reach.

Mirrors should be minimised to reduce the risk of breakage and injury in homes with children, she said. However, Rahhal suggested that mirrors can still be incorporated safely if they are firmly affixed to walls. This precaution ensures that even if a mirror breaks its shards will remain intact and not scatter.

Hussein also stressed the importance of avoiding heavy objects on tables, as children might pull on them. High-risk items, such as television screens, should be securely mounted on walls to eliminate such hazards.

When it comes to the kitchen, Hussein and Adel recommended installing a door and avoiding open-plan American-style kitchens to ensure child safety. They stressed sealing cabinets, appliances, and other potentially hazardous areas with silicone strips, widely available in the market.

It was important to secure the refrigerator, oven, cupboards, and washing machine with locks to prevent children from accessing them, they said. Balconies should also be fitted with tight locks.

Given the inherent dangers of the kitchen area, it is vital to adopt comprehensive safety measures. Common precautions include storing detergents and household cleaning products in closed cabinets and keeping kitchen utensils and cooking tools away from the edge of countertops or stoves. 

Cooking should be done on back burners to minimise the risk of access by children, and knives, sharp objects, and plastic bags should all be stored out of reach. This precaution prevents the risk of children wrapping plastic bags around their necks or accessing hazardous items. Medicines should also be stored in a dedicated and securely locked cabinet.

Turning to bathrooms, Rahhal pointed to the importance of securing the toilet lid and avoiding bidets with hot and cold water to prevent any accidental burns or injuries. He also advised installing an automatic door-closing mechanism to keep young children from entering the bathroom unsupervised while crawling or exploring during their early steps.

For general household safety, the designers agreed on critical measures such as ensuring the main door to the apartment has a high-positioned handle to prevent children from opening it, keeping keys out of reach, and ensuring the home is equipped with essential safety devices such as a fire extinguisher and fire alarm. 

Proper ventilation systems are also crucial for maintaining air quality and minimising the spread of germs or viruses. Additionally, installing a safe and effective heating and cooling system, such as air conditioning in children’s rooms, ensures a comfortable and secure living environment.

* A version of this article appears in print in the 28 November, 2024 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly