Deck and Balcony Safety

Decks and balconies pose several hazards — the most serious being that your child could slip through the railings and fall, or become wedged in the railings and suffocate. Fortunately, with supervision and a few simple steps, you should be able to prevent these accidents.

Example of safe spacing on deck railing

If the railings on your deck or balcony create any gaps that are wider than 4 inches, you'll need to make some modifications to stop your child from squeezing through and to “child proof” the area. There are a number of options on the market to do this --cover the railings with plastic garden fencing, shade cloth, a sheet of clear plastic, or rigid sheets of Plexiglas.

Get in the habit of keeping patio furniture away from the railings -- this should include potted plants or other climbable objects.

Be aware of furniture light enough for a child to drag to the balcony's edge. You don't want to give your child a chance to climb up and go over the edge. 

Consider adding latches to any doors or windows that lead out to your balcony or deck. These latches should be installed well out of your child's reach.

Ensure children are always SUPERVISED.

Check Your Deck

Summer is here and your deck is the perfect place to entertain! Your deck is exposed to the elements 365 days a year and over time wood may begin to crack, splinter and rot increasing the risk of injury or structural failure. To ensure the safety of your guests and family, please keep these tips in mind:

• Avoid grilling on the deck.
• Know the Code. Codes are established to ensure your safety. 
• Light it up! Prevent trips and falls by incorporating lighting on your deck.
• Take time each year to check your deck. 
• Check not only the stairs/steps of your deck, but also all railings. Repair any area that is unstable. Also look for any trip hazards, such as loose wood. Lean from side to side on each stair to see if the stair wobbles. Look carefully at the points of connection between the stairs and the deck and replace anything that looks old or compromised.

Proper deck maintenance will help keep your deck strong. However, it can’t protect against a fire caused by grilling on your deck. Take a few minutes and ensure your deck is ready for summer gatherings. For more information:

Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services provided deck safety info for a segment on WRC TV 4.

Deck and Balcony Safety

Decks and balconies pose several hazards — the most serious being that your child could slip through the railings and fall, or become wedged in the railings and suffocate. Fortunately, with supervision and a few simple steps, you should be able to prevent these accidents.

Example of safe spacing on deck railing

If the railings on your deck or balcony create any gaps that are wider than 4 inches, you'll need to make some modifications to stop your child from squeezing through and to “child proof” the area. There are a number of options on the market to do this --cover the railings with plastic garden fencing, shade cloth, a sheet of clear plastic, or rigid sheets of Plexiglas.

Get in the habit of keeping patio furniture away from the railings -- this should include potted plants or other climbable objects.

Be aware of furniture light enough for a child to drag to the balcony's edge. You don't want to give your child a chance to climb up and go over the edge. 

Consider adding latches to any doors or windows that lead out to your balcony or deck. These latches should be installed well out of your child's reach.

Ensure children are always SUPERVISED.