Childproofing Your Backyard

Making sure that your yard is safe for your child is just as important as making the interior of the house safe. There are a myriad of dangers lurking in the great outdoors, but there are precautions that you can take to keep your child safe.

• If you have a pool, pond, or fountain, install a childproof barrier, such as a gate, around it. Make sure that the gate has a childproof latch.
• Stabilize swing-sets, jungle gyms, and any other furnishings and outdoor activity areas that are easily tipped over. Avoid using concrete as it creates an unsafe surface for children to play on.
• If your child plays on a concrete patio or driveway, consider purchasing a rubber safety mat. Padded areas can prevent numerous bumps, scrapes, and bruises, allowing your child to play without fear of injury.
• Check all fences for loose hardware, loose pickets, and splintering wood. Make all necessary repairs, and check to see that all pickets are close enough together (less than 5") to prevent your child from getting his head stuck.
• Make sure that all outdoor furniture is sturdy, but avoid heavy stone furnishings that could severely injure a child if they fall over. Check for sharp edges and pad corners with cushions and corner guards.
• Secure or remove any garden trellises that are easily climbable.
• Replace all exterior outlet boxes with models that are child proof.
• Replace all metal sprinkler heads with plastic ones.
• Bury or tie all cords around sprinkler and outdoor control systems.
• Install a motion security light in your backyard to illuminate the area in the event that your child wanders outside at night.
• Do not use fertilizer spikes or any other ground-level chemical dispersal systems. Watch kids carefully to prevent them from eating dirt.
• Keep all potted and hanging plants out of reach. Just like cords, if they are within reach, they will be tugged.
• Examine all drainage downspouts for sharp edges. Repaint or replace any damaged ones.
• Inspect your wooden decks and balconies for loose railings. If your uprights are more than five inches apart, cover them with inexpensive three-foot plastic mesh, which is available at hardware stores.