For parents who can witness their own child sleepwalking can be very distressing and frightening. However, parents should do something to protect their child from the dangers of sleepwalking. Parents should understand that sleepwalking does not only associate simple walking during sleep, but sleepwalking can also cause children to go out from their houses and walk far. Sleepwalking is quite common in children, making many people not alarmed with the sleep disorder. There are ways that can help in minimizing and preventing dangers associated with sleepwalking.

Children and Sleepwalking

Children are more affected with sleepwalking because children and longer duration and a deeper stage of sleep. Sleepwalking practically occurs during the deep stages of sleep. Sleepwalking can usually be overgrown by children, however, there are some adults who still suffer from sleepwalking. If one or both parents are suffering from sleepwalking, then their offspring are 10 times more likely to suffer from sleepwalking.

Protecting Your Child

There are many ways that can be done to help in keeping your child away from dangers of sleepwalking. Parents should be aware that sleepwalking can harm their child and it can even cause injuries and can also be life threatening. When a child is sleepwalking, it is nearly impossible for your child to be awakened, since sleepwalking happens during the deepest stage of sleep. Here are some tips on how to keep your child safe from the dangers of sleepwalking.

• Maintain safety of your child’s surroundings (your child’s bedroom). Keep your child’s bedroom free from furniture, which can possibly injure your child during sleepwalking episode. And if possible, let your child sleep on a bed that is low to prevent your child from falling out of bed.
• Keep your child’s bedroom clutter free.
• Keep all windows and doors locked of your child’s bedroom.
• If your child’s bedroom is located at the 2^nd floor of your house, it will be very dangerous for your child to have access to the staircase during sleepwalking episodes. There are safety gates that can be purchased and installed to staircases to keep your child from accessing the stairs. Aside from staircases, safety gates can also be installed in other unsafe areas in the house for your child, such as the kitchen.
• Place rubber devices or something soft to hard edges that can injure your child when he or she can accidentally bump those edges, such as cabinets, counters, and tables.