Babyproofing railings

[LAMom]

We are moving to a new house, which has a ton of stairs and an upstairs indoor balcony/loft with a long railing. We havea 2.5 year old and are expecting another one in April. We don't have any stairs where we live now.

We are getting lots of gates for the stairs, but were wondering whether we need some sort of barrier for the railings, so the kids don't stick heads in, or throw stuff down from the loft area. I only found this product so far

http://www.amazon.com/Safety-1st-117.../dp/B000056OUX

But the reviews are mixed at best, and we have a LOT of railings to cover, so it is going to add up. We wondered if we can get some industrial type mesh somewhere and weave it through the rail. Any ideas?

[indigo99]

We have an open area above our foyer with railing for about ten feet. I bought a railing cover when DS was really small, but we've never put it up. DH pointed out that he could just figure out to throw things over the top of the railing instead of between the rails. I also didn't like the way we'd have to attach it to the wall on the ends or else just have it curved in/out (which seemed dangerous if DS decided to try sticking his arms or hands around it).

It's right outside his bedroom, and DS does like to drop things off. The only thing that's really been a problem was the tub of calendula cream (what a mess). He mostly likes to drop small toys and balls. Our rails are close enough together that I don't have to worry about a head getting stuck, and he hasn't shown much interest in sticking arms or legs through.

[KrisM]

We've had the open railing area for 5.5 years now and didn't do anything. I found that the kids aren't interested in being upstairs alone until they're 4 or so, and at that point, they understand to keep away and not throw things over. My 2.5 year old rarely goes upstairs without us, so it's not been an issue.