Babyproof your yard
If you’re lucky enough to have a yard, it’ll offer your child a chance to enjoy being outdoors and explore a new environment. However, yards can pose a number of hazards to small children, so making sure that yours secure and safe is very important.
Security
The most important thing to ensure about letting your child play outside in the yard is that she can’t get out and onto a road. Make sure that all access gates can be securely locked and that fences are high enough to prevent her from climbing over.
Ponds and water safety
Babies and small children can drown in just a few inches of water, so be sure to either drain, cover or fence in any ponds, pools, water features or wells. Don’t forget to drain paddling pools after use too.
Yard chemicals and tools
The safest option is to have a shed in which you can safely lock away all garden tools and chemicals such as fertilizers and weedkillers. Avoid using any garden implements such as saws or lawnmowers when your child is playing in the garden, and be sure to store everything away in the shed before letting her out to play.
Play equipment
Be sure that any play equipment that you put up, such as swings and jungle gyms, are on an absorbent surface, such as a thick layer of mulch, and not on a paved area or patio. Swings and jungle gyms must be properly installed and fixed to the ground. If you’re planning on getting a trampoline, get one with a safety net that can be closed up around the trampoline. Sandboxes can be great fun for children but ensure that yours has a lid – this will prevent pets and other animals from fouling the sand, and will help prevent insects from getting inside too. Try to avoid leaving toys out in the garden for long periods, as they can become damaged and pose a hazard.
Poisonous and harmful plants
Try and clear your yard of any plants which have sharp thorns. Few common plants are dangerous if eaten, but some can cause tummy upsets and skin irritations, so you may decide not to have them in your garden. Daffodils, azaleas, hyacinths, rhubarb, laurel and rhododendron, among others, can all cause tummy upsets if eaten, and some other trees and plants can also cause allergic skin reactions. You may find it worth asking your local plant nursery for advice on child-friendly plants.
Teach your child to appreciate the yard without ripping leaves and berries off the plants – and make sure they understand that they should never try and eat any plants. Certain fungi can also cause irritation of the intestinal tract, so check your yard regularly for mushrooms and toadstools.
The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.