Childproofing Outdoor Furniture and the Backyard
Todd Arend is a freelance writing professional whose expertise covers a variety of areas, including patio and backyard furniture, landscaping and design. He regularly writes for such sites as http://www.outdoorfurnitureplus.com/
Being outdoors in the summertime is a relaxing and fun way to spend time with your family. And after all the time and money you’ve invested on your deck, outdoor furniture and backyard, you deserve to reap the benefits. But when it comes to kids, you’ve got to look at your outdoor world through a different set of eyes to ensure their safety. What might be perfectly fine to an adult can easily cause injury to a small child. Know how to childproof your backyard so that everyone has a safe and fun time.
Outdoor Furniture
The first consideration when assessing patio furniture is how all moving parts and mechanisms work. Avoid anything that can pinch, that folds or snaps shut quickly or furniture that can tip over easily.
For instance, rocking chairs come with the possibility of pinching children and pets underneath one of the rockers. Opt instead for a glider. You get the same benefit of a moving chair, but with a base that stays put. Also, go with a ceiling mounted porch swing over a freestanding model that can pinch fingers against its stand.
Second, look at what the furniture is made from and how it’s shaped. Avoid furniture with toxic paints that can poison a child, especially if it starts to peel or chip. Also, remember that certain materials, like metal in particular, will grow extremely hot to the touch when it’s out in the sun for a long time. As far as shapes, avoid sharp edges, pointy corners and the like. Go with a round table with rounded chairs over a square-shaped one.
Finally, check the condition of your outdoor furniture. Pieces that have fallen into disrepair are dangerous for children and adults alike. There is the chance of splinters from cracked wood and a risk of falling if furniture is falling apart.
Also look out for the placement of your furniture. Chairs and tables can be used as steps by children, and if you’re not careful they may take a tumble over your deck railing.
Things like grills are inherently dangerous because of their open flame. When you have a small child, you may just want to avoid using a barbecue all together, or else put a barrier around it so that your child cannot get to it. Things like lighter fluid and propane should be stored safely away from children in locked or high areas.
One way to ensure the safety of your child is to give them enough outdoor furniture and toys of their own to play with so they are preoccupied and don’t feel the need to play with what they shouldn’t. Tumbling mats, tree houses and swing sets are great escapes for kids. Just be sure to stabilize all equipment so that it doesn’t tip over.
When it comes to childproofing the rest of your yard, just use you head. Place gates or barriers around pools, ponds and fountains. Check for broken or loose fencing. Replace metal sprinklers with plastic ones. These are just a few of the many tips that will protect your kids by still allowing them to have fun outside.
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