Tips for Childproofing Your Yard for Summer

Whether it’s soaking up some rays by the pool or playing in the yard with your kids, summer is a time for relaxing and enjoying hot weather. However, nothing can put a damper on all this fun like an injury. In today’s blog post, we offer tips to help keep your children safe this summer.

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Here are some tips to keep your children safe this summer.

Practice Water Safety

Water-related activities are the perfect way to celebrate summer and ensure a fun time. However, it is important to never let your guard down when your little ones are near water. Drownings are the leading cause of death for young children ages one to four. If you have a pool or will be spending a lot of time around the pool this summer, stay vigilent and be sure to use secure and trusted child safety gates and locks to prevent your child from having free roam.

Lock Up Lawn Equipment

Lawn mowers, electrical equipment, rakes, and even small trowels can all be potentially dangerous if children get their hands on them. After you use your garden or lawn equipment, be sure to lock it up and prevent your child from being able to access it. 

Fence In Your Yard

Although this might not be a feasible improvement for all parents, it’s certainly something to put on the list. Keeping your child contained can prevent them from being able to wander out of your yard. If a full fence is not a realistic option, you may want to at least consider a child safety gate, especially if you enjoy keeping the door open or using a screen door. These outdoor bottom of stairs gates may be just the place to start.

Control Yard Pests

With the emergence of warm weather, unfortunately, comes the arrival of pests like mosquitoes and ticks. These pests are not only annoying, but they can also carry a number dangerous disease, like Zika, West Nile virus, and Lyme disease. To keep you and your child safe this summer, be sure to apply an effective insect repellent before going outdoors. Another way to keep pests from bugging you this summer is to create a tick-safe zone in your yard. Although this is something that can be done on your own with pesticides and sprays, if you are unsure about what type and when to apply pesticides, it may be best to contact your local pest control service.

Secure Play Structures

According to the CDC, more than 200,000 children across the US experience playground-related injuries. To prevent this from happening in your home and yard, give all of your playground equipment a thorough inspection, making sure that all the equipment is safe and well-maintained.

Beat The Heat And Sun

Heat-related illnesses are a common summer problem, not just for adults but children as well. In fact, children under four years of age are actually at the greatest risk for a heat-related illness. To prevent your child from overheating, dress them in loose, lightweight clothing, schedule outdoor activities for morning and evenings, and always use sunscreen.  

Watch Out For Stairs

Child safety gates can help prevent your active child from taking a dangerous tumble down the stairs. Whether it’s outdoor stairs or indoor stairs, children are easily tripped up by them. While you should always enforce the rule of no playing on the stairs, this in and of itself is not enough. Restrict access to the stairs with a safe, durable, and structurally reinforced child safety gate.

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Keep these tips in mind and have a safe and fun summer!