Keeping your home safe for a child with LGS
Fact-checked by Raising a child with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) can be frightening. The “where, when, and how often” of seizures are unpredictable, and a drop attack — also known as an atonic seizure, in which muscles suddenly become limp — can even lead to broken bones or head trauma.
Making LGS home safety a priority can lower the risk of injury during seizures. The goal is not to turn your home into a hospital room. This is about creating a soft, forgiving space your child can move around in freely.
Seizure-proofing your house includes minimizing the danger of hitting hard corners or surfaces, making your home easier to navigate, and establishing safe bedtime and bathing routines.
Padding sharp corners and hard surfaces effectively
When your child experiences a drop attack, they can fall forward or backward, hitting anything in their path. These steps may eliminate possible dangers:
- Choose the right padding: Use bumpers made of thick, high-density foam to pad corners.
- Swap out furniture: Replace low-profile items like coffee tables with upholstered ottomans, select furniture with rounded edges, and cover glass, metal, and marble with materials like soft, pliable silicone.
- Secure heavy furniture: Bolt dressers, bookcases, and other large pieces of furniture to the walls to help prevent tipping.
- Address other structural hazards: Add windowsill protectors and flame-retardant or flame-resistant bumpers on fireplace hearths.
Mounting kits, corner bumpers, and foam padding are available at most hardware stores and home improvement retailers.
Safe flooring options for frequent falls and drop attacks
After adding corner protectors and mounting heavy furniture, focus on the floors. Add shock-absorbing materials under carpets and over hardwood, laminate, and tile floors to guard against head and joint injuries during a sudden fall.
- Upgrade carpet padding: Wall-to-wall carpeting is far better than wood or tile flooring, but it can still be upgraded to reduce the impact of a fall. Use thicker, high-density rubber or memory foam instead of standard carpet underlayment.
- Use interlocking foam tiles: Cover hard floors with shock-absorbing foam tiles that are shaped like square puzzle pieces and easy to install.
- Secure or remove loose rugs: Area rugs can easily slide, causing trips and falls. Use double-sided, nonslip tape to firmly affix area rugs and mats to the floor.
Securing stairways and high-traffic common areas
Include hallways, foyers, staircases, and staircase landings in your safety modification plans. Keep these areas free of clutter and block off staircases:
- Restrict stair access: Fasten gates directly into the walls and banisters at the top and bottom of staircases. Avoid pressure-mounted gates, which are more likely to collapse under the impact of a sudden fall.
- Clear pathways: Move things such as toys, shoes, books, bags, and plant stands out of high-traffic areas. Also bundle and hide loose cords, which can create a tripping hazard and worsen potential falls.
- Anchor heavy items: Like all the other rooms in the house, hallway furniture should be anchored into the wall.
Modifications for showers and baths
According to a 2018 study, the drowning risk for people with epilepsy is about 10 times greater than the general population, with bathtubs being the No. 1 danger zone. Some changes in the family bathroom can lower that risk. Opt for showers instead of baths, ensure adult supervision is always present, and keep the door unlocked.
Other bathroom safety tips:
- Upgrade the shower/tub layout: Place long, nonslip rubber mats inside the tub or shower, and put in a sturdy, slip-resistant shower chair and handheld shower head to reduce the need to stand on slippery surfaces. Also consider installing a grab bar.
- Soften faucets: Cover metal faucets and handles with sturdy silicone spout covers.
- Use shatterproof mirrors: Choose mirrors made of lightweight materials, such as plexiglass or acrylic, that won’t break into shards, and securely attach them to the wall.
- Manage visibility: Replace sliding glass doors with a clear shower curtain so you can supervise your child and reach them instantly if needed.
Anti-suffocation pillows and specialized bedding
Falling out of bed and suffocation are real sleeping risks for children with LGS, but there are ways to protect them overnight.
- Set up a safer bed profile: Trade traditional bed frames for low platform beds or futons, or move the mattress onto the floor.
- Install bed rails: If your child has a history of falling out of bed, consider bed rails.
- Consider anti-suffocation pillows: Lattice pillows or safety pillows are designed for easier airflow. Usually made of a special, porous foam, these pillows may allow your child to breathe if they end up face down during or after a seizure.
- Keep bedding simple: Instead of heavy quilts or comforters, choose light, breathable blankets for better airflow. Remove plush or decorative pillows, keeping only one pillow in bed for sleeping.
Because the LGS community may sometimes disagree about how to handle sleeping areas, consult your child’s care team before making changes.
Essential next steps for LGS home modifications
Watching your child experience a seizure is scary, but proactive changes at home can significantly lower the risk of injury. Start today to create your plan for LGS home modifications.
- Do a room-by-room assessment: Walk through your home using your child’s height as a guide to list the sharpest corners and hardest surfaces that need to be padded immediately.
- Check your bath mats: Replace worn-out or slippery mats in the bathroom with fresh, high-traction rubber options.
- Create a bedroom plan: Reevaluate whether moving your child’s mattress closer to the floor and using an anti-suffocation pillow could improve their nighttime safety.
Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
