Spending time outside is an important part of proper child development. Unfortunately, there are certain outdoor areas that can be hazardous to children if the areas aren’t prepared in advance. Something as simple as a sidewalk or lawn could contain surprising hazards that are easy to overlook. That’s why it’s important to make repairs when you notice issues so that your children aren’t injured while they play outside.
Avoid Pesticides
Although pesticides and fertilizers can help give your lawn that perfect appearance, these chemicals can be quite harmful to small children. Since small children are naturally curious, they will likely be putting their hands in their mouths while they play, thus putting them at risk of ingesting these chemicals, which could land them in the hospital. Avoid dangerous pesticides and chemicals wherever possible.
Check for Level
An uneven sidewalk or lawn poses major hazards for small children. If children get their feet caught on a piece of concrete in an uneven sidewalk, for example, they could trip and fall, resulting in significant cuts or even broken bones. Therefore, if you have an uneven sidewalk, it’s important to utilize concrete lifting to level the sidewalk so that small children and others who use your sidewalk can do so without risk.
Remove Pests
While some bugs are beneficial to have around your yard, others can be a nuisance and may be dangerous to small children. That’s why it’s important to remove these pests before they have a chance to bite, sting, or otherwise harm small children who visit your sidewalk or lawn. Sprays, traps, and other measures are good for removing pests that are already in the area, while powders, sprays, and granules tend to work better to help prevent them from returning.
Check for Roots
Even if you don’t have any trees in your yard, you still may have roots that rise above the ground in your yard or even through your sidewalk. It’s a good idea, then, to walk around your property from time to time to inspect for any roots that could trip a small child or cause them to stub their toe. Typically, these roots can be quickly and easily removed with a garden hoe, while larger roots may require an ax to send them packing.
A Changing Landscape
The beauty of nature is that it’s always changing. However, this characteristic of the outdoors also means that potential dangers for small children can change throughout the year. Therefore, it’s important to stay on alert for any new dangers that appear so that you can address them before they have a chance to injure any small children.
