Summertime is a great opportunity for kids to get outside and enjoy some fresh air. However, it's important to make sure that your backyard is safe for them before they start playing. In this blog post, we will discuss some tips for creating a safe outdoor space for your children. With a little bit of preparation, you can rest easy knowing that your kids are safe while they play in the backyard!
Your backyard can be a fun place for your kids to enjoy fresh air, exercise, and explore nature. However, recent data suggests that approximately 2,000 children suffer home injuries every year in the US. Therefore, it is essential to always find ways to make your home safer, especially for young children. You can't always keep an eagle eye over your kids when they play outside. But there are a few ways to prevent accidents, including the following.
Set Some Ground Rules about Backyard Safety
Get your kids to assist you in setting some ground rules for safer outdoor play. Put this into writing and post them in visible areas inside your home. Posting your outdoor rules can make things even easier when your children's friends come over since they can appreciate your family's rules on playing outside. Add a few things such as no chasing, climbing, and roughhouse while playing on the slides. Teach them to keep their backpacks and personal things away from the play area to prevent falls. Additionally, teach them to avoid playing in areas where they can't be seen, including the garage, shed, and other secluded home areas.
Gates And Fences Can Protect From Hazardous Areas
Prioritize water safety since the beach and pool are favorite places for kids. There is no better way to guarantee kids' safety around your pool than adult supervision. This involves watching them when they are playing in or near water. Install fences tall enough to prevent your kids from accessing the pool without your knowledge. Kids can be cheeky and easily wander, so you may consider glass fencing to maintain clear, unobstructed views over your pool area. While it is best to keep the gates self-latching or closing, you can also cover the pool when not in use. Lastly, keep rescue equipment nearby at all times.
Protecting kids from the swimming pool isn't the only area where fences and gates are important though. Other areas such as wood piles, garden areas, and if your yard has uneven terrain should also be fenced to help protect your children from danger.
Keep Outdoor Spaces Clean and Tidy
Check your outdoor surroundings for any items or substances that may cause harm to your kids. This may include garden tools, ladders, rocks, tree branches, and debris or broken glasses. Remove these items or keep them in safe areas inaccessible to your kids. Also, keep an eye out for any nests for stinging insect nests in outdoor play structures such as playhouses and tree forts. Regularly inspect sandboxes for bugs and animal droppings. Keep an eye out for pest infestations in your home and yard, and use bug spray to remove any wasp nests or beehives.
Check Play Equipment Safety and Maintenance
Inspecting your kids' play equipment is an effective method for enhancing your outdoor safety. Several elements, including weather, can wear down playground items over time. So you want to ensure regular tune-up to guarantee they are in the best shape for kids' use. For play equipment like swings and slides, check for any loose or missing parts. Use a screwdriver or wrench to tighten any loose bolts. Don't forget to cover any exposed bolts and make sure playground equipment is correctly anchored to prevent them from tipping over.
Provide Plenty of Open Spaces For Play
One of the best ways to prevent injuries is to provide plenty of open spaces for your kids to play. This will help them avoid playing in areas where they can't be easily seen or supervised. Choose an area in your backyard that is free from obstacles and tripping hazards. You can also create a designated play area with mulch, grass, or sand. This will give your children a safe place to play without you worrying about them getting hurt.
As a parent, it is essential to find ways to make your home safer for your kids. By following these tips, you can create a safe outdoor space for your kids so that they can enjoy the summer without you worrying about them getting hurt in your backyard.
Consider Alternative Materials That May Be Safer
When I was a kid, playgrounds were metal sculptures that would burn our legs before dropping us off on hard gravel. Today's kids and parents have much safer options.
Look for playgrounds made with impact-absorbing materials like rubber or mulch. These surfaces are much softer and will help to cushion any falls. If you're looking for an alternative to swings, try a hammock chair instead. These hanging seats provide a fun way for kids to relax while being safely secured in place.
Technology Is Your Friend When It Comes To Monitoring Outdoor Safety
As a parent, it's natural to want to be in control of every aspect of your child's life. But there are only so many hours in the day, and you can't be everywhere at once. That's where technology comes in. By using a few simple devices, you can monitor your kids' outdoor activities without being right there with them.
One way to do this is by installing security cameras around your property. This will allow you to keep an eye on things even when you're not home. You can also use GPS tracking devices to monitor your children's whereabouts. These devices can be placed in their backpacks or on their shoes, and they will send you real-time updates on their location. Devices like this are a great option since you can avoid freaking out if you don't immediately see them on the security monitor.
Additionally, sensors that monitor when gates open and close will help alert you if your children have chosen to explore areas of the yard that you don't want them in.
Check To Make Sure There Are Plenty Of Shady Play Spaces
Your kids will want to stay in the sun for hours on end during summer, but this can quickly lead to heat exhaustion and dehydration. Look for shady spots around your yard where they can rest and drink water to stay hydrated. You may also consider investing in a pop-up canopy or portable shade structure that you can move around the yard as needed. Set up a kiddie pool in a shady spot and fill it with toys so your kids can enjoy splashing around without getting overheated.
Create A Health Station With Drinks, Sunscreen, and First Aid
Our goal in creating a safe space for your kids to play in your yard is to avoid injury and discomfort but sometimes things happen. Whether it is basic care like making sure there's plenty of cold water to drink without having to stop playing or easy access to sunscreen for the older kids to reapply as needed, creating a Health Station is an important feature that most people forget.
When creating this area though, make sure to also include basic first aid supplies so that if something does happen that it can be addressed immediately. This includes everything from being able to retrieve a splinter to being able to quickly ice down a sprained ankle.
Your Home Is Your Castle And Your Kids Are The Princesses and Princesses
Outdoor safety should be a top priority if you want to have some peace of mind when your kids are playing outside. It could be useful to consider these tips to make your yard safer for your kids. By taking some extra precautions, you can ensure that your kids have a fun and safe summer.
