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Fitting a playpen floor pad and roof

Both covers are made for an octagon of eight panels, each 24 inches wide. Get the shape right and the rest takes five minutes.

1. Check the panels

Measure one panel across. If it is 24 inches wide and the pen has eight, the covers fit — whichever brand made the pen.

2. Stand the pen as an octagon

Open the panels into an even octagon on a flat surface. Squares and long fences won't take the covers.

3. Floor pad

Lay the pad inside with its corners at the panel joints. Pull the velcro straps round the bottom bar of each panel; push the last corner in after the others are fastened.

4. Roof

Drape the roof over the top with the mesh half where you will look in from. Hook the elastic bands to the top bars and close the velcro; the gaps are too small for a head to get through.

Care

Wash both by hand, do not wring them, and let them air dry. The coating on the pad lasts longer that way.