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Summer will be here before you know it. With more people sticking close to home because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, many families are looking to upgrade their backyard to give their children a safe and fun place to play. A well designed backyard will give your family years of enjoyment. Here are five ways that you can create a safe backyard for your children this summer.
Establish the Rules and Provide Supervision
The number one thing that you can do to promote safety in your backyard is to establish the ground rules from the very beginning. If your kids are able to read, it is a good idea to write the rules down on a piece of poster board and post them where they will always be visible as a reminder.
You should also make sure that all of your guests understand the rules. Good guidelines to include are rules about staying away from tools and the garage, no roughhousing, and instructions about how to use play structures and toys safely. Younger children should always be supervised. Do not think that a fenced backyard is enough security when your kids are young.
Think Bug Control
Nothing will ruin an afternoon playing in the yard than a bug bite or painful sting. While you can never prevent all bugs from hanging out in your yard, there are steps that you can take to make sure that it remains under control.
One of the most modern mosquito control systems is the tankless misting unit. You can also choose a classic drum-top mosquito mister to keep these pesky bugs away. Your family will not regret investing in this type of professional mosquito control system. The wireless technology makes it easy to manage this system from your smartphone.
Eliminate Hazards
In addition to making sure that the structures and equipment that your child uses is safe and appropriate, you also need to eliminate the potential backyard hazards. Items such as garden tools, chemicals, and hoses should be stored in a secure place that cannot be accessed by children.
You should also be aware of the potential natural hazards that may lurk in your yard. This includes holes that may trip up small children, low-hanging tree limbs, and thorns. It is also recommended to inspect crevices of the play equipment and sandboxes for insect nests, fire ant mounds, and other types of issues that critters may call home in your yard.
Regularly Inspect Play Structures
Every backyard needs a solid playset. While this will provide hours of fun for your children, it is important that you inspect them regularly for signs of wear and tear. Swing set dangers to be on the lookout for include protruding bolts and nails, rotting wood, and loose railings and steps. It is recommended to do a visual maintenance check at least once per month.
If you are in the market for a new play structure, look for the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) certification. Be wary of purchasing a used playset just to save a little bit of money. You never know what type of structural changes have been made to the playset over the years. You also need to make sure that the ground under the playset is soft.
Use Age-Appropriate Structures and Toys
It may be tempting to try to get more bang for your buck by purchasing play equipment and toys that your child can grow into. However, you may be tempting fate by this type of purchasing decision. During the toddler and preschool years, children will enjoy items such as sandboxes, plastic play structures, and small slides. Tricycles and other age-appropriate play items will enhance the child’s experience while improving both fine and gross motor skills. You can upgrade to the large wooden playsets when children enter the elementary school years. This is also when you want to think about adding in sports-themed essentials, such as a basketball hoop or a volleyball net.
Conclusion
The right backyard setup can bring endless fun and entertainment for the entire family. By making the area as safe as possible, you will have peace of mind every time your kids head outside to play in their own personal oasis.
