Creating A Kid-Safe Garden: 4 Smart Tips
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Child safety is always an important issue for parents, and making sure your garden is a safe space in which your little ones can play is so important. The good news is you can get some super useful tips on how to do this below.
Do carefully consider your planting choices
When your purpose is to create a garden space that is safe for the whole family, including your kids then you will need to think carefully about the plants you chose. This is because some plants can be incredibly poisonous when eaten like foxgloves, and some can cause allergic reactions when they come into contact with skin poison ivy.
With that in mind, it’s a good idea to go around your garden and make sure that no dangerous plants are already growing there. You can use your smartphone to help you identify any plants that you are unsure of.
Don’t forget that gardens need decluttering too.
Clutter and mess aren’t just annoying in the garden, they can create a real safety issue too. After all, it only takes one old item being out of place to create a trip hazard! That is why if you want a safe garden it’s just as important to declutter your outside space as it is the rooms in your home. Indeed, you can get some advice on how to transform your garden from messy to marvellous here.
Do add safety features to existing items
There are a range of things in the garden that can pose a risk to the safety of your child. The good news is that adding additional safety features can reduce some of this risk. One example of this is adding a metal grate to any pond or water feature as this can help support the weight of a child when they step on it, and prevent them from falling into the water.
Similarly, adding a deck rail to any decking can help create a barrier against falls. This then ensures your child is safer when enjoying your garden, and that you don’t have to worry as much while they are playing outside.
Do make sure your space is safely enclosed
Last of all, when making your garden safe for the kids it’s vital that you ensure it’s an enclosed space. What this means is that it needs to be fenced off properly all the way around. The main benefit of this is that the kids can play in the garden safely without needing to worry that they could get out and access the road. However, it does also make sure that animals and intruders cannot access your garden space as well.
If you have a gate that allows access from the front of your home to your back garden, you need to ensure that it stays locked. You can even use a padlock for this. Also it’s important to check the integrity of your garden fencing every so often to make sure it’s still holding.