Did you know that about 110,000 children are hurt in their backyards and gardens each year, seriously enough to land them in the hospital? Most people think only about indoor space when preventing home accidents. But your outdoor space also hosts several potential safety hazards, from pools to dead trees. And finding ways to protect your kids is crucial to keeping them safe when they play outdoors around the home. So, here are some tips you can use to childproof your outdoor space.
Fence in your yard to keep children contained and safe
A fence can keep children contained and safe, preventing them from wandering off or into dangerous areas. Consider installing a fence with a self-closing and self-latching gate to ensure that it remains closed. That will give you peace of mind knowing that your kids are in a safe and secure environment while they play outside. A fence installed around your house as a boundary can also deter unwanted visitors and animals from entering your yard. This can essentially prevent intrusion and increase safety by ten folds.
That said, if you are planning to install a fence all by yourself, simply to save up on labor costs, then you might want to learn about the cons of the process. Doing this task alone means that you are looking at some serious hours of hard work. Next, you have to ensure that you are using the right materials and tools for the process. Looking into your local regulations and double-checking your property lines would be the third most arduous task.
On the contrary, the money you spend on a team of fence contractors Red Deer or elsewhere to install your fence can offer you great end results compared to what you would have done. The key takeaway: you are paying for their expertise and for an error-free installation.
Remove dead trees and potential hazards from your yard
Many things can be hazardous in your yard, including sharp objects, toxic plants, and standing water. These can all be dangerous for children to come into contact with, and you need to get rid of them. You should also pay attention to dead trees and hanging branches. Dead trees are more likely to fall or have branches break off during storms or high winds, which can be risky and highly hazardous. Due to this, it is important to hire a local Tree Removal service as soon as you notice the problem. If the tree is located in your children’s play area, it can be a falling hazard. Children climbing on dead trees may also cause branches to break and fall on them, which can cause serious injury or even death. They can also harbour insects, pests and diseases that can harm your kids. Consider hiring professional tree removal services if you need to remove dead trees in your yard.
Keep your pool area secure
If you have a pool, ensure it is surrounded by a fence. The fence should have a self-closing and self-latching gate locked when the pool is not in use. This will prevent children from accidentally falling into the pool or swimming unsupervised. Additionally, consider installing pool alarms or covers to provide an extra layer of protection. These devices will alert you if anyone enters the pool area, providing an early warning system that can save lives. It’s also important to teach children about pool safety, such as never swimming alone, always having adult supervision and not diving in shallow waters.
Create a designated play area for children
This can be a fenced-in area with age-appropriate playground equipment, such as swings, slides, and monkey bars. It will keep your kids safe while they play and give them a designated area to play in. But you still need to watch your kids while they play outside. Even if your outdoor space is childproofed, it is still important to supervise the little ones. That will ensure that they are safe and that any potential hazards are quickly addressed.
