Seven Ways to Make Your Yard a Safer Place for Children

It can be hard to see how a stretch of grass and a few flowers can pose much of a danger to children, but there are many dangers lurking in the yard that you may not have considered.

Whether you’re getting ready to remodel your garden or you’re looking for ways to make your existing yard safer for your kids, these tips will help.

Avoid Using Chemicals

Chemicals can help you take control of an unruly yard. They can help you get rid of weeds, they can banish bugs, and they can keep fungi at bay. Unfortunately, they can also create a health hazard for children who play in your yard.

Many chemicals are harmful to humans. For example, paraquat is an herbicide that is commonly used by farmers and some gardeners to get rid of weeds, but just breathing it in can make you very sick. If ingested by mistake, it can kill you.

Fortunately, most chemicals aren’t quite so deadly, but they can still be harmful. Especially to young children who are playing in the grass or who may want to pick dandelions and clover flowers. If you have kids who like to play in your yard, it’s best to look for more natural ways to control weeds and pests.

Choose Plants Carefully

There are countless plant varieties you can put in your yard. Just be careful. Although a plant may be beautiful, it can also be deadly.

Some common flowers and plants are poisonous to humans, and they can be especially dangerous to children. Just a few plants to keep out of your yard include:

• Lily-of-the-Valley
• Chinese Lanterns
• Foxglove
• Yew Shrubs
• Lantana
• Mountain Laurel
• Rhubarb

The good news is that even the most hazardous plants aren’t dangerous unless they are touched or ingested. If you do decide you want to plant something potentially dangerous in your yard, make sure it is off limits to children. For example, if you love Lily-of-the-Valley, plant them in a corner of the yard the children don’t have access to.

A few rules can go a long way too. Let the kids know that they should never put anything from the garden in their mouth without first asking an adult. Specifically telling them what to avoid can be helpful too. For example, let the kids pick rhubarb, but make sure they know the leaves will make them sick.

Eliminate Tripping Hazards

Kids love to run, and there’s no better place to run than the yard! Unfortunately, the yard can be full of tripping hazards.

Make sure you install patio spaces correctly so paver stones don’t buckle and cause a tripping hazard. Grind down or re-pour cement to get rid of buckled concrete, and fill holes in the yard as they develop. If your yard is lumpy, consider having it leveled so your kids aren’t twisting their ankles whenever they play outside.

Install and/or Secure Your Fence

A fence is one of the best ways to secure your yard! It can ensure your kids don’t wander out of your yard, and it can keep other animals and people out of your yard while the kids are playing.

Install a fence if you don’t have one, but also make sure your fence is secure. Make sure latches latch properly and fill the gaps underneath the fencing. That way your kids don’t make a fun game out of trying to crawl underneath the fence.

Maintain Play Structures

Play structures can make the backyard a lot more fun, but they can be dangerous too. Make sure that when you bring home a swing set, you install it correctly.

Once installed, you also have to make sure it is maintained properly. Wooden structures can become compromised in the rain and the sun, while pests can decide it’s the perfect place for a home. Metal structures can be damaged in storms when hit by falling branches and debris.

Inspect your play structure regularly and make any repairs, as needed. Power wash metal swing sets to keep rust at bay and re-stain wooden play structures to protect them from the elements.

Rethink the Pool

Play structures can make the backyard a lot more fun, but nothing beats a pool on hot summer days! However, they are one of the most dangerous things you can have in the backyard.

Consider not installing a pool in the backyard at all to avoid accidental drownings and injuries. If you have your heart set on a pool, make sure that you go above and beyond to keep everyone safe. That means making sure the pool is fenced in, the gate locks, and consider a pool cover. A pool alarm is a good idea too, so you know whenever anyone enters the water.

Kids playing in the backyard in a small plastic or inflatable pool? Make sure they always have supervision from an adult. Even just a few inches of water can cause a drowning. When you aren’t using the pool, drain it or cover it.

Treat the Grill Like You Do the Kitchen

Chances are, the kitchen is off limits as a place to play. That same mindset should accompany grilling in the yard.

Set up a station in the yard where grilling always takes place. Then, tell the kids that they are to treat it like they do the kitchen in the house. They are not to play around the grill when it’s off, and they must keep their distance when an adult is cooking food on the grill. If you’re worried about the grill causing problems, consider storing it in the garage when it’s not in use.

Kids love playing in the yard! It’s a great way to blow off steam, get a little exercise, and learn about nature, but it can be dangerous too. Whether you have a playground or a pool, you love gardening or you want to install a patio, make sure you keep safety at the top of your mind. When you do, you’ll create a place where the kids can play without worry.

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