Blackout curtains

[puroticorico]

Hi fellow night shift RNs! I purchased blackout curtains. Unfortunately, light came in through the sides so I used 3M Dura Lock Velcro on the sides, however, a lot of light is still creeping in through the top of the curtains. Any ideas on a quick fix, but that doesn't look too horrible? Maybe a roller curtain inside the window frame? Thanks!

[lovinlife11]

I did night shift for five years and have done most of the above....the responses make me giggle though.. The lengths we go through to get "normal" sleep!:)

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

I have tin foil on my windows and two black shower curtains draped over my curtain rods, blocking out a considerable amount of light.

Cheap and easy. I've tried a sleep mask, but sleeping with something on my face was annoying, so I never use it.

[EMEddie]

Tin Foil, Cheap, Easy and Blocks all light! Plus, it keeps the rooms cool as it doesn't absorb heat.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

This solution is easy and cheap!

Measure the window (not including the frame, just the window). Buy black upholstery fabric. I found mine in a fabric store with fleece on one side and vinyl on the other. Buy an extension rod that fits inside the window, the kind you twist to tighten. Tape the top of the fabric over the rod. It should fit tight enough so that light does not escape from any side. When you do not want it there, untwist the rod and roll up the fabric and hide it somewhere.

I know an MD who put a blow up bed inside his walk-in closet.

I did this...and it worked wonders. I used a hot glue gun to secure the fabric and had double sided sticky velcro tape to secure the sides. this worked with my sunlights as well.

That and a fan I was golden

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

I did night shift for five years and have done most of the above....the responses make me giggle though.. The lengths we go through to get "normal" sleep!:)

No kidding right????

I also had a separate phone for family and my kids school to use. I unplugged my land line.

I put a sign on my door....

Ring door bell only if the house is on fire.....owner works nights and owns a large dog.

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

Here's my set-up.

!) mini-blinds

2) black curtains

3) another set of black curtains

4) two black twin flat sheets- tumbled up and placed one atop the curtain rod and one on the floor where the curtains end

5)two spring-type tension rods placed VERTICALLY to tuck the curtains behind on the sides of the windows

6) no phone in the bedroom (I have a 'fix' if you need a way for your children's school to reach you in an emergency)

7) turn the alarm clock t the wall

8) fan on low in the corner

Honestly - if I wake up and the clock says 2:30, I have to really think to decide if it's 2:30AM or 2:30 PM.

30+ years on nights / nurse researcher* on all things night shift related.

*Really, I have a research study going right now, and a previous one is being published later this year.

[missladyrn]

Tin foil! Works like a charm!

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

I travel a lot for work and there seems to be a rule that hotel windows face big light displays and the curtains are all too small. I hate that. I got a nice eye mask that has a sort of small roll around the edges so it doesn't press on my eyeballs, I can't even feel it when I out it on, and I sleep like a baby. Well, I need the earplugs too, for the ventilation system and the outside traffic noises. But the eyeshade is a godsend, and if I get up to pee in the middle of the night the ambient light is enough to keep me from crunching my toes on the desk.

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

And I thought tin foil was just for making hats to keep the aliens from reading my mind.

[mustlovepoodles, RN]

I used tin foil, as well. You can mold it to the window so NO LIGHT gets out. And if you HOA nixes tin foil, get a piece of poster board, tape it over the window facing out, then cover the back with tin foil. I kept my room like a cave. I swear, there were bats in there! And I put a big sign by the door bell that said, "Do not ring this doorbell. The baby is sleeping and if you wake her up, there will be HELL to pay!' Worked like a charm.