Hi AT,
My 10 month-old is couch surfing and falls a lot. We have Flor tiles in his room on top of hardwood floors, and we're finding that while they look great, they're not thick enough to cushion him when he falls. Can you put padding under Flor?
Thanks, RC
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Honestly? Kids this age do fall a *lot*, but are unlikely to get hurt from falling on a hardwood floor. I'd be much more wary of coffee tables, shelves, or any of the protruding corners on furniture or walls.
I second Mama Chilanga's comment. We had hardwood floors when I was growing up, and the only injury I recall is not floor related, but rather was a black eye earned when I fell while bouncing on the couch, and clonked myself on the (padded) edge of the couch. A hardwood floor might be a hazard if the child fell backwards onto the back of its head, but when toddlers fall (as far as I've noticed) they mostly just plop down on their seats, look surprised, and then haul themselves up again. Unless they notice someone looking concerned, in which case they think "I must be hurt" and start to cry. I'm wondering -- do Flor tiles slip at all? Are they anchored to the floor? I'd be more concerned about the possibility of the tiles slipping under the baby's feet, or of the change in surface between the tiles and the floor making the baby slip. Just my 2 cents worth. Or maybe 4.
Unfortunately since every fall doesn't end on a cushy tush, I place a couple large floor pillows behind my toddler to create a safe 'fall-zone' when he is standing. It is rather time consuming constantly moving the pillows around but to me it is worth the added peace of mind.
I also agree that you need to be more worried about the sharp corners than the floor. And from personal experience, when you try to pad the floors, the kiddies end up tripping more... much safer to run around on a hard surface. And honestly, they really do learn how to fall -- especially in their own home. It's other people's houses that you really have to worry about.
We use foam floor mats. As in the ones on this site: http://www.gifts-toys-baby.com/product/wonder-mats-standard.html They don't look as chic as the Flor tiles, but they don't hurt when Lila falls on them & they don't hurt my knees (and I'm getting older!)