Outdoor Safety Tips: A Shareable Guide for Parents

Reposted from International Nanny Association (https://nanny.org/outdoor-safety-tips-a-shareable-guide-for-parents/)

By Derek Goodman

Outdoor safety is likely on every parent’s mind as the weather grows warmer and kids spend more time outside. However, it’s not always easy to know where to start when it comes to making the exterior of a home a safe place. There are lots of details depending on how old your child is and which part of the country you live in. For instance, those who live in the western part of the U.S. may need to be on the lookout for snakes and sun exposure, while the other side of the country will be more concerned with disease-carrying mosquitoes.

It’s also imperative that you ensure your backyard playground equipment, pool, and patio area remain safe and functional throughout warm weather months. Check to make sure the area around the pool isn’t slippery and that all pool equipment is in good shape, and make any small repairs before your children start spending a lot of time outside.

Keep reading for more great tips from Nanny.org on how to make your backyard safe and functional for your children this summer.

The Pool

Having a pool — no matter what size — can be a huge benefit in the summer, especially if you have a busy schedule and can’t get the kids to a public pool. However, it’s imperative that you maintain the pool’s cleanliness to avoid attracting mosquitoes; using the right amount of chemicals will keep the bugs away. Make sure the area around the pool is slip-free and that all pool toys and inflatables are in good shape. Go over the rules of safety with your children to make sure they understand the proper pool behavior and that inflatable toys are not life-saving devices.

The Swingset

If you already have a swingset, it’s important to look it over carefully to make sure it’s in good shape. Being exposed to the elements all winter may have caused rust or other types of breakdown. If the set is made of wood, look for signs of wood-boring insects and make sure it’s still fully intact. If it’s not, the time is right to look for a new set that will keep your kids entertained throughout the summer.

Look for Essential Fix-Ups

There may be dozens of small things you can fix or clean up around the yard that will help keep everyone safe, including picking up large pine cones and sharp sticks, removing poisonous plants, and making a soft area around the swingset or pool that will prevent injury if someone takes a spill. Check out some great tips on how to make little fixes around the yard. You might also consider larger projects, such as having a fence installed. A fence can help keep pests and neighborhood animals out of your yard while providing a protected, bordered space where your kids and pets can run free. Before deciding on a fencing company, be sure to review ratings of the best options in your area.

Secure All Tools

To truly make sure the backyard area is a safe space, it’s important to make sure all power tools, pool chemicals, and lawn treatments are locked up and secure in a shed or on a high shelf in the garage. If you’ve recently used fertilizer or sprayed pesticides in the grass, keep the kids away from the yard for a few days, and then make sure they have shoes on when they go outside.

Consider Natural Pesticides

If you have a garden or use pesticides to keep spiders and other bugs away from your home, consider finding a natural alternative. This will help keep everyone safe — including kids and pets — during the summer months when so much time is spent outdoors.

Keeping everyone safe and happy during summer can be tricky when there’s so much free time, but with a good plan and some simple DIY fixups, you can make sure your backyard is in great shape for warm weather. Create a safety plan for the family, and make sure your children have it memorized before they begin spending all their time outside.

Derek Goodman is an entrepreneur. He’d always wanted to make his own future, and he knew growing his own business was the only way to do that. He created his site Inbizability, to offer you tips, tricks, and resources so that you realize your business ability and potential now, not later.