Many parents typically focus their childproofing efforts inside their homes. They install several fixtures to prevent accidents and keep their kids as safe as possible. However, experts say that childproofing shouldn’t be confined to the interior area but must also extend to the outdoor areas. Most parents fail to realise that outdoor spaces also have hazards that may cause harm. Some of these hazards may not even be that obvious.
Completely childproofing the property may be difficult, but ensuring that the backyard is safe must be a priority. Backyards can be a good place for young tots to explore, but there are areas that will threaten their safety, such as swimming pools, firepits, and even the barbeque area. If you want to childproof your backyard, you might have to redesign it to maximise the space and keep your kids safe. If you can do it yourself, eliminate waste properly and find a reputable skip-hire company like aasvogel.co.uk to help you out with your project.
Here are some essential tips to childproof your backyard.
Provide soft ground cover
If your backyard has a lot of gravel, it’s high time to eliminate them. You must provide your child with soft ground covers such as grass, fake grass, padded foams or other soft material suitable for outdoor use to prevent them from getting injured. Soft cover is forgiving and can cushion their fall. Bricks, cement, and other hard surfaces are less forgiving and will surely cause scrapes and bruises.
Plant more vegetables
If you want to have a garden for your tot to explore, consider planting more vegetables, herbs, and fruits. These plants are non-toxic and are a better alternative to ornamental plants that may have thorns that can harm your kids. Also, you can have the kids harvest any produce, and they can enjoy being outdoors even more.
Ensure play equipment are sturdy
Most childhood accidents happen in the play area, so you must ensure that the area is as safe as possible. Look into the stability and safety of your play equipment. Ensure that the swing set is properly built and bolted to the ground. You must also ensure that the landing area for the slides is soft.
Provide barriers for water play areas
Toddlers typically wander, and you wouldn’t want to have them wander into the pool. You can prevent it by installing a barrier at least five feet tall from water features such as spas, pools, and fountains.
Cushion the sharp corners
Remember to cushion the sharp corners of any patio furniture you may have in the backyard. You must babyproof them as much as you did the ones inside the house. In addition, you must place attachments on the corners and edges to prevent them from harming your child.
Endnotes
Childproofing the backyard can be a huge challenge because you have to identify all the hazards in the area. Determine which things need to be taken care of to ensure your child is as safe as possible whenever they’re in the area.
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