When kids spend more time in the backyard, parents grow increasingly concerned about their safety. Learn ways to prevent injuries to children during outdoor play.
During the spring and summer months, children will spend extended periods of time outside, and parents will become increasingly concerned about backyard safety for kids. There are a number of things that parents can do to prevent outdoor injuries to children.
Prevent Accidental Drownings in Back Yard Swimming Pools
- There should be a self-closing and self-latching gate that opens outward surrounding the entire perimeter of your swimming pool.
- There should be an adult closely supervising children when they are engaged in activities in or around a swimming pool.
- It only takes a small amount of water to drown a child, so wading pools should be emptied and turned over after each use to prevent them from filling with rainwater.
- Parents need to enforce rules such as, no running or horseplay around the pool area.
Prevent Accidental Poisonings in Your Backyard
- Bug spray, antifreeze, lawn products, gasoline or anything that contains chemicals should be locked in a place that's inaccessible to children.
- Children love to pick flowers, explore and taste things, so check existing backyard plants to make sure that they don't contain poisonous parts. If you are planning to add new plants to your yard, make certain that they are not hazardous to children.
Prevent Falls in Your Backyard
- Keep steps, sidewalks, and patios in good repair.
- Don’t leave unraveled hose pipes in the yard - always wind them up so that children will not accidentally trip over them.
- Always provide secure hand rails so that children can maneuver safely up and down the steps.
- Never leave ladders propped against the side of the house, always store them out of the reach of children.
- Make sure the backyard is free of sharp objects, debris, fallen tree branches, and exposed tree roots.
Prevent Bug Bites in Your Backyard
- Standing water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes. You want to make certain that all standing water is removed - especially after it rains.
- Use child friendly bug repellent to repel mosquitoes as well as other biting insects.
- Make sure children are inside before dusk when insects are the worst.
- If you live in heavily wooded areas where ticks are a problem, before letting kids go outside, dress them in long pants, shirts with long sleeves, and socks.
- Keep the grass in your backyard properly mowed.
- Check the backyard thoroughly for ant hills and bee hives.
Prevent Injuries from Backyard Play Equipment
- Check play equipment for hidden dangers such as jagged edges, rust, and loose or broken parts.
- Use soft material such as rubber, sand, or mulch under equipment to soften the blow of a possible fall.
- Teach children proper ways to use play equipment.
- Make sure that play equipment is properly anchored in the ground.
- When children prepare to play on swing sets or climbing structures, don’t let them wear clothes that are too loose. It increases the risk of them getting caught on play structures and causing injury.
Other Backyard Safety Tips
- Lawn and gardening equipment can cause serious injuries and should be stored out of the reach of children.
- Serious burns can occur from barbeque grills when they are in use. Keep children away from them until they are completely cooled.
- A fence that is in good repair should surround the perimeter of your backyard to prevent small children from wandering off.
- Check your yard for hazards such as, animal feces, broken glass, garbage and metal.
Remember that the best way to prevent backyard injuries to children is to provide them with constant adult supervision.
References:
Home Safety Council. Backyard Safety Tips. Accessed 2/9/08
Keepkidshealthy.com. Backyard Pool Safety. Accessed 2/9/08
Web MD. Make Your Backyard Safe. Accessed 2/10/08
The copyright of the article Backyard Safety for Kids in Early Childhood is owned by Charlina Stewart. Permission to republish Backyard Safety for Kids in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
