Before you let your kids run amok on your backyard playground, you need to make sure the backyard is a safe and appropriate place to play. So get out outside before your kids do, and go through this safety checklist:
Thorns and Thistles: Remove prickly bushes, thistles, exotic plants, poison ivy and anything that would make barefoot running through the yard a hazard.
Rocks and Holes: Look for and remove big rocks, fill holes and plant grass where needed. Level holes with topsoil, and add gravel for drainage under areas in the yard that become swampy when it rains.
Bricks and Splinters: Check patio areas for cracked boards, broken bricks, rotting planks and worn-out braces. Replace those that need replacing, and repair where needed.
Bugs and Bees: Look for wasp nests, ant hills and areas infested with bugs. Call an exterminator, or treat them yourself before letting kids out to play.
Fertilizers and Chemical Treatments: If you are going to let the kids run around barefoot, or even run and play in the yard, do not use pesticides and fertilizers, but opt instead for safe organic alternatives.
Grating and Fencing: If the yard is on a slant, install a fenced-in border to keep toys from rolling into the street. Be sure fences are in good repair and chain links are intact to prevent scratches or getting caught on loose wires.
Landscaping and Gardening: Trim bushes and tree branches neatly to prevent kids from getting caught or scratched by branches. Also, if you have a garden, put chicken wire around it to keep rodents out and plants in. Fertilizers should be organic only, and plant choices should be kid-friendly because a kid might grab and eat something off the vine.
Appropriate Equipment: Choose swings, playsets and toys that are age-appropriate and in excellent condition for safe play. Check playground equipment regularly for loose parts, holes or splinters. Tighten any piece of the equipment that is wobbly. Soft rubber mulch, pea gravel or wood mulch should be underneath any climbing equipment. Grass is not a safe landing surface.
Keep this checklist handy, as you'll need to inspect your backyard playground on a regular basis.
 | Those child safety measures that worked for your baby and toddler need to be adapted as your child grows. Older kids are motivated and willing to take risks to explore, so you need to keep hazardous items locked away and set down firm rules to prevent accidents. |
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