Submitted by Alison Rhodes

Now that warm weather is here, you’re sure to be spending a great deal of time outside playing with the kids.  But before heading out, make sure your children and your backyard are as safe as they can be. Designate a safe play zone: Make sure children understand the boundaries of where they are allowed to play.  Keep this area well away from the driveway and preferably out of view from the road.  Setting up bright orange cones or some other visual cue will help children recognize the safe area.

Warn drivers of children at play: Even if you have established safe play zone areas, it’s too easy for children to forget and run into the driveway after a ball or other toys.  They’ll also be playing in the driveway if you have a basketball hoop set up or when they’re on their riding toys.  Consider purchasing a retractable gate to fit across your driveway and signs warning drivers that children are at play.

Secure your doors: As children get older and become more curious or start asserting their independence, they’re more likely to go outside without asking.  Install safety locks on sliding patio doors and consider putting alarms on all doors leading outside to alert you if one has been opened.

Check your deck railing: Similar to your staircase banisters, the railings on your deck should be no more than 2 3/8” apart.  If they are, there is a chance your child could fall through or strangle himself.  Consider installing mesh netting to secure the railings.

Inspect your swing set: Every year, check that the S rings on the swing set have not rusted and are still secure.  Be sure all bolts are still securely fastened and not protruding and, if needed, add another layer of playground mulch around the entire area.  The mulch should extend at least 12” in ever direction.

Beware of trampolines: According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), hospital emergency room-treated trampoline injuries almost tripled in the last decade - from an estimated 37,500 in 1991 to almost 100,000 in 1999. Nearly two-thirds of trampoline injury victims were children 6 to 14 years of age and about 15% of trampoline injuries involved young children under 6 years old.  Falls off the trampoline often resulted in crippling injury and/or death including paralysis from spinal cord injury. Somersaults and coming into contact with other persons on the trampoline's surface likewise resulted in many serious and crippling injuries as well as death.

Play nicely in the sandbox: Make sure none of the sandbox toys have sharp edges and teach children never to throw sand.  Keep the sandbox covered when not in use to avoid stray animals getting into it.

Ensure a safe ride: Children should wear helmets when using any riding toy including Razor Scooters.  If the bicycle has training wheels make sure they are secured properly and in good working order.  For young riders, provide constant supervision.  

ABOUT the Author:

Alison Rhodes, The Safety Mom, is a national family safety and wellness expert and TV personality. She has appeared on hundreds of TV segments discussing a variety of issues effecting newborns to teens.  She is also the founder of Safety Mom Solutions, a child safety company in the New York, Connecticut and New Jersery areas.

Copyright: Alison Rhodes, The Safety Mom 2009 (please obtain permission before re-posting or re-printing)