4 Outdoor Areas You Need to Babyproof
You’ve put cleaning products up high, covers on your electrical outlets, gates at the top and foot of your stairs, and swept your entire house for tiny objects that could be choking hazards. The inside of your house is safe for your baby, but is your yard?
Your newly mobile toddler likely wasn’t on the move this time last spring, so it can be easy to overlook areas of your front and backyard that aren’t yet babyproofed.
Keeping in mind that there’s no substitute for the watchful eye of a parent, here are 4 outdoor areas to consider when childproofing your outdoor space.
Stairs, decks & balconies
Place gates at stairs to and from your house and deck, both to limit access and accidents that can result from tripping and falling. Avoid pressure mounted gates, especially at the top of stairs, as they can be tipped over easily. Instead, opt for a click-lock system. Next, ensure that balcony railings are spaced no more than 4” apart to prevent a child wedging themselves through. Plexiglas is an ideal finish for balconies when you have small children. Not only does it provide solid, uniform protection, but the material is very hard to get a grip on, helping to deter children from climbing up and over. Mount the Plexiglas on the inside of your balcony for maximum safety benefits.
Outdoor furniture
As you likely did indoors, cushion any sharp corners of your outdoor furniture. In fact, give all of the structures and items in your backyard a once over to identify pointy and jagged edges. Next, consider the placement of your furniture. Can your wee one easily climb up and over it? If so, relocate to a safer area that’s surrounded by grass or padding as an added precaution.
Pools and play equipment
Places to cool off and climb are staples in many backyards, but also high risk when it comes to safety. Check that any playground equipment, swings and climbing structures are anchored properly. Nothing should come loose, wobble or teeter. Repeat these checks often, especially after a hard rainfall where surrounding soil and grass can soften. If you have a pool, you should invest time into comprehensive research regarding safety measures to protect your family, but access is an obvious place to start. Add a high latch to any fences and doorways that lead to the pool, and if you entertain often, accept that playing host all but guarantees your attention will be divided. Hire a lifeguard to ensure pool safety and keep a steady set of eyes on your children and guests.
Hidden risks
The great outdoors are called that for good reason – there’s no limit to the fun and discovery our yards hold for children. While the aforementioned areas pose clear risk factors, here are a few less obvious places to be aware of when babyproofing your outdoor space.
Water hose: Keep your hose wound and stored in a shady area. When left in the sun, water that rests inside can reach boiling temperatures and scald skin upon contact.
Plants: Consult a professional if you’re unsure if the plants in your yard are safe. Plants like mushrooms and oleander can be poisonous, while others like cactus and roses are sharp to touch. Other plants bear small fruit that, toxic or not, pose choking hazards to children.
Water features: Pools are on the top of your safety checklist, but don’t forget about hot tubs, ponds and water fountains. Take the same considerations to ensure these water features are safe for your child to be around, and that barriers are in place to prevent access when parental supervision can’t be guaranteed.
Garage doors: We spend a lot of time in our backyards, but the front yard is often a destination for bikes, trikes and neighbourhood friends. If you have an automatic garage door opener, test its functionality throughout the year, especially when temperatures rise and drop drastically. Check to ensure it closes fully, reverses, and operates smoothly to ensure you always have full control over access to your garage and its contents.
Best wishes for safe and happy outdoor play this season from everyone at The Faris Team!