Most parents buy floor lamps for the nursery because of their dim and soft light. However, floor lamps can put the safety of your baby at risk. Therefore, if you decide to use floor lamps as the lighting option for the nursery, you must put in measures to baby proof floor lamp for the safety of your baby, especially when they start moving around. 

Out of curiosity, the baby can grab and pull the power cord, bump on the lamp, trip over the cord, or play with the power cord or socket. These scenarios are dangerous and put the baby at risk of electrocution. The risk is higher with a mobile child, but it’s safe to baby proof the floor lamp immediately you bring it home.

What’s more, you should not only baby proof floor lamps in the nursery but in any other room where the baby can access them. If you have not yet bought the floor lamp, come with us to the next section as we look into the advantages, disadvantages, how to baby proof, and alternatives to floor lamps.

Floor lamps are perfect for lighting the nursery as long as you take the necessary safety precautions. Below are some things you can do to baby proof floor lamps for the baby room.

Place the Lamp behind the Furniture

If the size and the nursery’s design allow it, place the floor lamp behind furniture to prevent the baby from accessing it. For instance, you can place it behind the nursing chair or the chest of drawers. As long as the baby cannot touch the cord or the lamp, a floor lamp is safe for the nursery.

Tie it on a Wall Hook

You might not like hooks on your walls, but you might have to compromise for the baby’s safety. Attach a hook on the wall, loop a string of the lamp, and tie on the hook. If you pull this correctly, the baby will not be able to pull the lamp, and they will be safe from stumbling.

Hide the cord

The power cord is a major risk for babies. Therefore, you need to find ways to baby proof it as soon as you bring it home. Common ways to hide the cord include using rubber cord covers or a box outlet cover. These options might not look pretty for the room, but they will protect your toddler from electric shock and possible electrocution.

Secure the base of the lamp on the floor using glue

Most parents use super-strength glues to hold the floor lamp in position. But it does not work on carpeted floors. Also, this might be a permanent solution. Therefore, before gluing the lamp on the floor, be sure that you are okay leaving it behind if you move houses.

Go for floor lamps with a broad and heavy base

Floor lamps with heavy and wide bases are safe for kids and pets because they are not easy to pull over. However, if the baby manages to pull over such a heavy lamp, the injuries will be more. To ensure that the lamp is heavy enough, try pulling it over yourself. If it comes down quickly, do not buy it or ensure to position it behind some furniture.

Buy a battery-powered floor lamp

If you did not know, cordless floor lamps exist, taking away all risks associated with the power cord. You can position them anywhere you deem safe in the room because you are not limited to spots with sockets. The downside of cordless floor lamps is that the battery can die and leave you in darkness; therefore, you must ensure that the batteries are charged.

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Are Floor Lamps Safe for Babies?

Floor lamps pause a tipping and electrocution risk; therefore, you place them out of the baby’s reach. Position them behind furniture, hide the cord or glue them on the floor for safety. 

Pros of floor lamps

Although floor lamps pause a safety risk, they are better than overhead lighting in many ways. Here are some benefits of buying a floor lamp for the nursery:

Dim lighting

Most parents prefer floor lamps to overhead lighting because of their dim and soft lighting. Newborns are used to being in the dark for nine months, so you need to gradually transition them to full lighting.

Floor lamps do not shine on your baby’s face, therefore keeping them comfortable. The lighting is cozy and keeps the nursery warm without overstimulating the baby. Even if you leave the lamp on overnight, its light cannot wake the baby up.

Affordable

Compared to different options of overhead lighting, floor lamps are very cheap. They are readily available on Amazon, at the local store, and even at thrift stores. They come in various designs, allowing you to choose what works best for your nursery.

Simple installation

You do not need an electrician to install a floor lamp because it does not involve any electrical wiring. All you need to have the floor lamp working is to plug it into a power source. Also, they do not require assembling. The ease of installation saves you time and money.

Variety to choose from

Floor lamps come in different sizes, colors, shapes, and designs. Therefore, you can easily find a lamp that matches your nursery. What’s more, floor lamps are lovely and baby-like, and they can single handily transform the look of the nursery for the better.

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Cons of Floor Lamps

Floor lamps are beautiful additions to the nursery with many advantages, but they are risky at the same time. Here are the major risks of floor lamps and why they need baby proofing.

Bumping and tipping hazard

Floor lamps have a tipping hazard because the baby can easily pull them down. Therefore, you should never leave the baby in the nursery unsupervised. Even with supervision, it takes a minute for the lamp to tip and injure the baby. To prevent such accidents, do away with the floor lamp or baby proof it.

Power cords present the risk of electrocution

Floor lamps are powered by electricity and therefore should be plugged into a power socket. Most babies are attracted to the power cord, the power outlets, and the switches. I can already feel goose bumps because the baby is at risk of electric shocks or electrocution.

Do not fit in small-sized nurseries

Power lamps require a lot of space, and therefore they do not fit in small rooms. If the nursery is the smallest room in your house, you cannot enjoy the benefits of the floor lamps. However, this can be a blessing in disguise because your baby will not be exposed to the dangers they come with.

Alternatives to Floor Lamps

If the baby room does not have overhead lighting, it is too small for a floor lamp, or you are not willing to take on the baby proofing suggestions above, you need to find safe methods to light the room. Here are some alternatives to floor lamps:

Tabletop lamp

If you have a chest of drawers or shelves in the nursery, tabletop lamps will work perfectly. They are safe alternatives because they are placed high enough that the baby cannot reach the lamp. What’s more, you can easily hide the cord behind the furniture. 

Wall sconces

Wall sconces are perfect alternatives to floor lamps because they are high for the baby to reach, and they are easy to install. However, some brands require wiring, but you can always go for the plugin options.

Another advantage of wall sconces is that you can hang them anywhere and some come with dimmers allowing you to control their brightness.

A sensory bubble tube

Sensory bubble tubes are popular in daycares because they are safe lighting options for babies. Depending on the brand, they are filled with glitters, plastic fish, or bubbly water. For safety, they can be attached to the walls or come with a heavy base to prevent toppling over.

Nightlights

Nightlights are perfect for the baby’s room because you can adjust their brightness and come in different shades. The dim lighting benefits not only the kids but also parents if they decide to check on the baby at night or if they want to tiptoe out without switching off the lights completely.

Fairy lights

Fairy lights are a source of calm and safe lighting as long as the baby does not reach them. Therefore, string them on the ceiling or on the walls where the baby cannot reach. Do not hang them near or over the crib to prevent the baby from touching them.

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FAQs on baby proof floor lamp

How do I keep my floor lamp from tipping over?

To prevent your floor lamps from tipping, use glue or wax to hold the bases on the floor. Ensure to use clear glue or wax that does not damage the floors, and that can be removed if you decide to move or change the lamps.

How do I protect my babies from power cords?

To keep power cables away from babies, hide them behind furniture, use rubber cable covers or box outlet covers. Such measures reduce the risk of fire, electric shock, or electrocution.