Child Proofing Your Garden

Gardens provide a space in which children are able to play and run around independently, while you sit back and enjoy the sunshine. However, the garden comes with its own set of potential hazards and it is important that you remove or control as many of these risk factors before allowing babies, toddlers and young children to play without maximum supervision.

Adequate Fencing

The first thing your garden needs is a high quality fencing solution. Without a sturdy fence or a garden wall, your child may be able to wander into someone else’s garden or on to the road outside. Your garden will only work as a safe, controlled space in which children can play if it is properly enclosed. If you have damaged fencing panels or gaps in your fence large enough for a curious toddler to squeeze through, these should be fixed immediately. Try an affordable retailer that offers a variety of fencing styles, like Buy Fencing Direct.

Cleaning Up After Pets

For families with pets, it can be especially important that the garden is properly prepared before children as allowed to play there. If you have a dog or a cat, it’s likely that that will have used your garden as a toilet. All mess should be cleaned up and safely disposed of, and the ground your pet used should be washed with hot soapy water. Pet toys can provide a real temptation to young children, but they often carry harmful germs. Pet toys should be cleaned and moved out of reach, perhaps into a designated basket. Cat flaps can also catch the eye of babies and toddlers, so it is advised that parents should clean the outside of the pet door and lock it to ensure that children don’t attempt to crawl through.

Restricting Access to Other Potential Hazards

If you’re particularly worried about children eating poisonous plants that might be growing in your garden, you can access a comprehensive list online. The doors to sheds and utility rooms should be locked when young children are playing in the garden to prevent them coming into contact with DIY equipment, garden tools or harmful chemicals. If your garden has a pond, this should be covered by netting and surrounded by some kind of fencing. Paddling pools can also pose risks so make sure you drain your pool as soon as your child has finished using it. There is a risk of drowning for young children in only a couple of centimetres of water, so make sure you take the necessary precautions to prevent this happening.