It’s always nice to find ways to make your yard look better with flower gardens or statuettes, but when children are added to the equation, beautifying your yard might need to be put on hold! Kids are clumsy, and they can’t always tell you if something in the yard could hurt them, so child-proofing your yard is a good way to stay ahead of hazards, while still keeping it well groomed.
- Remove Dangerous Plants and Insects
One of the easiest things for a child to wander into are things like briars and ant hills, because even if you’re watching them, you might still not spot it. Plants that have sharp thorns or anything that might be poisonous to humans should be removed, because depending on the age of the child, they may try to put it in their mouths. Small spiky plants can also grow in grassy areas and blend in well, so be sure to look carefully.
Another huge issue that people tend to face is insects. While the outdoors is their home too, and it’s good to let harmless bugs like butterflies go about their day, it’s also important to remember that there are some very dangerous bugs out there.
Specific species of ants can swarm and kill even an adult, so taking precautions and spraying your yard is a must! Also, with those products, make sure to read instructions, and keep children away from freshly sprayed areas in case the insecticide is toxic to humans right after it’s sprayed.
- Install a Fence
Fencing is a helpful way to keep kids within view, while also giving them room to spread their wings and explore. It makes the area that you have to child-proof much smaller too, which can be helpful if you have a large yard.
Though it may seem easy to build a fence, doing it yourself can be dangerous. If it’s not properly secured, children can wander off, or worse, the fence could fall on someone! Finding a lifetime fence company serving Denton, Texas isn’t as difficult as it may seem, and paying for a good sturdy fence can help insure the safety of your child.
Fences also don’t have to be a big wall – there are plenty of different styles of fences that can make a child’s play area just as nice as a flowering garden. As much as taller walls may be ideal for keeping in the most troublesome of adventurous rascals, it doesn’t mean you have to give up on having a nice yard.
- Look out for Playhouse Hazards
Playhouses are great for children to play in and explore, but if the structure has been there for more than a couple months, it should be checked for rot and decay regularly. Even plastic slides and other climbing structures can become unsteady because of small cracks.
So, it’s important to be vigilant about checking every once and a while so that the children don’t end up finding the hazard before you do! If you’re planning to build your own structure, make sure to use treated wood, and ask a professional about materials, because anything left out in the rain for a couple months is weak to the elements and might break.
These concerns are especially important if you move to a new house and the backyard has an old playhouse or treehouse. Make sure to check them for any dangers before letting your kids explore their new play area.
- Supervise Children
As much as preparing and checking and fixing are all great ways to help a child remain safe, it’s important to remember that they are still children, and left unsupervised, they will likely get themselves into trouble.
Even in the most child proofed environment, kids can still trip and hurt themselves, so keeping an eye on children is usually the best way to make sure they won’t get hurt in their play area.
Final Tip
It’s important to remember that every child is different, and while some may be more independent, and some constantly needing help, they all are still just kids. Having a parent around to keep them safe will often help more than it hinders, especially in the great outdoors!
