Did you realise that every year, more than 100,000 children are injured while playing in their own backyards? It’s no wonder, then, that parents and grandparents are always looking for new ways to make their outside spaces more secure. Having the freedom to let the kids run about and have fun without having to worry about anything terrible happening is a good thing, and the following are some ideas on how to make that happen.
Check The Gates And Fences
Children enjoy exploring, and if there is an unsecured (or easily opened) gate or a gap in or under a fence, they will be straight through it. You just need to go inside to grab a drink, and they’ll be gone by the time you return. It’s a terrifying, heart-pounding experience, and a potentially dangerous one too. As a consequence, it’s vital to check that your fences and gates are secure and that no escape routes exist around or through them. If there are any potential exits, fill them; you can use concrete screws to add more fence posts, for example, or add a bolt to a gate that a child can’t open. If your hedges don’t quite reach the ground, you should add some chicken wire to prevent possible escape routes.
Provide Them With A Safe Environment
If you have a large yard or one that will be difficult to child-proof all the way around, why not give them a piece of the yard to call their own to help make your work simpler when it comes to gardening and safeguarding your children? This is where kids can play with their toys while being completely safe. Install a little picket fence on their outdoor playroom and decorate it with the children to make it more attractive. Keep your dogs away from this area and give them their own space so that the children’s play area is a safe, secure, and sanitary place to be.
Reduce The Chance Of Trips And Falls
Although it is hard to avoid every disaster, you can do your best to cut down on the number of them. If you have play equipment in your yard, for example, make sure you rigorously follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions and that you don’t place it in a location where a fall could be dangerous (on a patio, or near a thorny bush, for example). Invest in specialised play surfaces if you can, or at the absolute least, put down rubber mats underneath.
If your paving is damaged, have it repaired or changed as soon as possible. If you have gravel, it’s best to replace it with a smoother surface; small children can choke on it or get it in their ears and nose, and an accident on gravel is often more serious than a trip on concrete, resulting in potentially painful grazes and cuts.
Check Plants And Shrubs
No matter how lovely the plants and bushes in your yard are, if any of them are eaten, they could cause serious disease. Because children are considerably smaller than adults and their bodies find the toxin more difficult to battle, this might potentially result in death. Some that you should certainly look out for include mistletoe, rhododendrons, and lilies.
Check all of the plants in your garden and, if required, remove anything that might be harmful. Ideally, your children will not attempt to eat the plants, but it is preferable not to take the chance.
