Glass balconies

I think it's the visual image of a child standing next to a huge drop that freaks tanith and that's understandable. Our brains need to be trained to accept that image as safe, when we've spent our whole lives keeping away from huge drops and cliff edges!

I think it’s right that it’s the perception of there being no barrier that’s frightening. We lived in an 8th floor apartment with a glass balcony when we lived in Nigeria.

I could barely go over the threshold myself when we first moved in, it was so scary. There was nothing in front of it apart from a vast lagoon so the first thing that your eye fell on was the city and tiny little cars and trucks crawling along a bridge in the distance.

My daughter wasn’t allowed out there on her own though in the mornings we used to stand there together for a bit, watching birds flying past at the same height as us.

One of my friends has a glass landing at the top of their staircase, it made me feel quiet ill standing on it.
Anyone for a swim?

My head tells me its safe but my body isn't listening 😂

i live in a small block of flats that has balconies or as we call them a veranda, they used to be brick, they renovated the houses about 10 years ago and now we have glass and wood, the whole front is glass, the bottom half is the type you see in bathroom windows and the top half is sliding glass panels, the walls and below the living room windows are wood, the stupidest thing is, if there is a fire we are told to go onto the balcony and wait for help.

I do think the height of the glass and the ages of the children are relevant. After all, children need to learn that heights and drops are dangerous. A baby has no understanding of drops, it's something they learn. So should toddlers be allowed to stand by the glass with a huge drop in front of them? Will that mess with their brains?

tanith

My head tells me its safe but my body isn't listening 😂

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Exactly, it is probably quite safe but my feet are tingling just reading about it.

I would put a bamboo or tarpaulin screen on them post haste!

I understand your fear, tanith - it’s a very strange feeling being on and against glass balconies and floors, our brain is registering the drop. It’s not a sensation I like, and remember once in France we visited a castle where they had built a glass floor between one level and the next. It was very disconcerting and I had to walk around the edge where the glass was opaque rather than the rest of the floor which was clear as my brain was telling me it was a long drop and I’d fall, even though I knew this wasn’t possible. The glass they use is extremely strong and toughened, so is quite safe, but nevertheless, I disliked the sensation.

Not keen on a glass floor perhaps, I do have vertigo so might be nervous if 20 floors etc but a glass surround means a perfect view even when seated, with a shield from any wind. I am always happy to have this sort of balcony when on holiday. You will need to try it and see how you feel. I am sure your son and family would not have one if they felt it wasnt safe.

Thanks everyone, i shall try it when next i visit hopefully all will be well. I'm sure they will be very careful when it comes to the children and never put them in danger.