You can enjoy tranquility, fresh air, and nature in the backyard. Your kids can play there, your pets can roam free, and you can have time in the sun. It is a peaceful place for most people to escape their busy lives. However, it is only sometimes safe for children to play in the yard.
1. Keep the Yard Clean
Keeping your yard clean is one of the best ways to make it a safe place for your family. If a child falls and scrapes their knee, they are less likely to play or jump on the lawn if they know it will leave a scratch or cut.
2. Secure Children’s Toys
Children tend to get creative in their playtime, leading them to create toys that could become dangerous projectiles in an accident (or even be chewed on and swallowed). Ensure to secure toys and keep them in sight when not in use.
3. Keep the Pool Locked Up
A swimming pool can be one of a family’s best joys and relaxation, but it also puts your kids at risk of drowning if they should get into one without supervision. Please ensure the gate to the pool is permanently shut and locked so that kids cannot get in without an adult knowing about it.
4. Keep the Gates Locked on Decks and Stairs
Deck steps or even a deck railing can lead to serious injury for kids or pets if they fall off without a soft landing area underneath them. Make sure to lock the gates so that nothing can be accidentally pushed off.
5. Install Mesh or Slats on Fences
Overhanging branches from trees or bushes could be a hazard for children who could grab hold of them when climbing on a fence, resulting in them falling into your yard if the branches didn’t break their fall enough.
6. Install Fencing
Keep your yard from becoming a place for dogs to run and play in. Get fencing installed around your property that keeps your pets from roaming everywhere. If minor children play in the backyard, they could be bitten by a child’s pet or even be chased by it.
7. Ensure All Trees are Well-Mannered
Children can climb over small trees without realizing how dangerous it is. Make sure to restrain the branches of all trees in your yard with rope or ties so children will not get caught under them when climbing. Also, ensure the trees on your property are at least eight feet off the ground if you have small kids and pets playing around them.
8. Keep Your Pool Out of the Sun
The yard is supposed to be a place of relaxation and tranquility while you sit in the sun. If you have a pool, keep it in the shade so that nobody will get burned if they sit too close to it. Children like sitting on the edge of a pool, but if they aren’t protected from the heat, they could get burned and have painful scars. You can install a retractable awning so your children can take a break from the sun.
As long as the yard is kept safe and free of hazards, it can be a fun place for your entire family to enjoy. By following these eight tips, you can ensure your backyard remains a place where everyone can relax in the sun without any worries about getting hurt.