4 Smart Ways to Make Your Yard Safer for Young Children
by Joe Goldstein on Oct 2, 2018
You don't need to raise your child in a bubble to keep them safe. Kids need the freedom to play outside to stay healthy and develop a sense of autonomy, but it's also important to make sure your yard is safe for younger children. Follow these tips to help keep your kids safe, active, and healthy in your backyard.
1. Get Rid of Any Poisonous Plants
This is an important first step to protect your kids and pets. Many native plants and flowers throughout the US can contain harmful chemicals that, when ingested, can cause some pretty nasty side effects. Consult online plant identification guides, a local landscaper, or a local nursery to determine if any of the plants in your yard are not safe for children. In particular, pay attention to the most brightly colored flowers, since there are a few species that can be lethal.
Be sure to also remove any poisonous mushrooms that grow in your yard, and educate your children as early as possible about the dangers of eating strange plants in your yard.
2. Child Proof your Swimming Pool
A swimming pool is a great way to enjoy the summer while staying active and healthy, but they can also be incredibly dangerous for small children. In the US, about ten people die every day from drowning, many of them in swimming pools.
Building a gate around your swimming pool, investing in a pool cover, and teaching your children pool safety from a young age are all great decisions, but it's also worth considering removing your swimming pool altogether. Swimming pools can be expensive to maintain, but you can remove them at a fraction of the cost and reclaim your yard for other uses. Just be sure to call a legitimate demolition contractor or swimming pool removal specialist, because DIYing your swimming pool removal is a very bad idea.
3. Fireproof your Landscaping
If you live in an area that is prone to wildfires, such as California, it's worth considering fireproofing your landscape. Start by moving all flammable objects, such as woodpiles, at least 30 feet from your home. Use stone patios, retaining walls, and other hardscape installations to create fire-safe zones. Be sure to keep your tree trimmed and neat, so a burning branch is less likely to detach and spread the blaze. Visit this guide on designing fire-resistant to learn more.
4. Do a Safety Check on your Grill
Grilling as a family can be a lot of fun, but the grill itself can easily set off a blaze or burn small children.
Start by storing any extra lighters, charcoal, or propane in a locked container, preferably at least 30 feet from your home. You should also disconnect and shut off the propane after each use if your child is likely to play with the fuel knobs. Be sure to move your grill away from your home while in use, in case a spark decides to jump out.
How you educate your children about grilling safety depends on their age and personality. For some, drawing a chalk line that they're not allowed to cross can be sufficient. For others, it may be worth showing your children how to grill safely by involving them in the process. Visit this guide to grilling safely with your children to learn more.
Popular Articles
When to Use a Brush, Roller or Sponge Brush
Brushes are a good choice for painting trim and woodwork. They are also useful for cutting in the edges around the top and bottom edges and corners...
65323 Views
Three Places to Spend Money on the Exterior of Your Home
When you have the exterior of your home remodeled, you are investing, time, energy and convenience into the project and you want to make sure that...
63442 Views
Homemade Headboards-Make an Upholstered or Wooden Headboard
Homemade headboards can add a lot of personality to any bedroom. They can be coordinated with existing furniture and room decor or they can be the...
58951 Views
Creating a Cottage Kitchen with Bead Board
Kitchen decor can range from modern and bold to elegant and elaborate by using strategic kitchen pieces. One of the most popular decorating trends...
40242 Views
Gas Fireplace Diagnostics and Troubleshooting
Follow these steps for diagnosing and troubleshooting Gas Fireplaces repairs. For the average DIYer, this may seem intimidating, depending on the...
25236 Views
Latest Articles
6 Reasons Why Your House Is Not Selling
As soon as you decide that you need to sell your house, time starts to fly. As of June 2021, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported...
on May 17, 2022
What is the Average Cost to Repair a Foundation?
The most important part of any structure is the foundation, considering that it gives support to everything above it and ensures that the structure...
on Apr 26, 2022
6 Favored Methods for Foundation Waterproofing You Should Know
If you have ever walked down to your basement and noticed a small trickle of water or a small puddle on the floor, you may dismiss it as no big...
on Apr 24, 2022
7 Great Hacks For People Who Hate Doing Chores at Home
Count yourself lucky if you find cleaning and doing chores therapeutic. For the rest of the population, doing chores can be one of the most...
on Apr 12, 2022
Driveway Drain - Why is it Important for Safety
A driveway is often our first impression of a home. It tells people how we want them to feel when they're welcomed in. That's why it's important to...
on Apr 1, 2022
Featured Articles
What Type of Licensed Contractor Should You Hire?
on Feb 28, 2017
Hire Contractors / Estimates

Looking for a specialty project? There are many types of contractors available for your home improvement needs. Finding the right type of...
Sponsored Articles
6 Reasons Why Your House Is Not Selling
on May 17, 2022
Real Estate / Finance
As soon as you decide that you need to sell your house, time starts to fly. As of June 2021, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported...
Juan Plumbing - Learn about SCAMs
on Sep 17, 2021
Hire Contractors / Estimates

I can firmly say, I'm only trying to be an advocate for a neighbor that is a DISABLED SENIOR who was taken advantage of in this SCAM. I feel the...
Actions
Top Categories
- Garden / Landscaping / Patio — 258
- Kitchen / Bathrooms — 233
- Real Estate / Finance — 188
- Appliance / Repair — 185
- Interior Design / Decor — 181
- HVAC / Air Conditioning — 145
- Cleaning / Maintenance — 138
- Improvements / Remodeling — 131
- Floors / Tile / Hardwood — 114
- Plumbing / Basements — 114
- Doors / Garages — 112
- Safety / Security — 112
Articles Archive
More DIY Articles
Simple Cleaning Tips for Maintenance of a Varnished Hardwood Flooring
Efficient upkeep of a wood floor starts with frequent and regular cleaning utilizing a broom and/or a vacuum cleaner to remove as much dirt or grit...
The Top 4 Benefits of Artificial Plants
Whether you've got a green thumb or not, there's no denying that plants can make any person's place look a little bit cheerier. And if you have...
Should I Add-On to My Existing Home or Buy a New One?
As families grow, space becomes more important in a lot of situations. The most common response by a homeowner would be to consider putting in...
Glossary of Real Estate Terms V - Z
Anyone planning to buy or sell real estate can benefit by using this free real estate glossary of common terms. While this information provided is...
Rhode Island Local Builders Associations
Find a local builder or council, please contact the home builders' association (HBA) in your area.