Your backyard is meant to be a fun place where you have family barbecues, fun games, a chance to relax, or perhaps it’s where you can indulge in a hobby or two (which could be gardening itself). What it’s not meant to be is dangerous in any way, but the truth is that without some proper care and attention that’s exactly what your backyard could be.
That’s why you need to do what you can to create a space that’s secure and inviting, and the good news is that doing that doesn’t have to be difficult or complicated - it doesn’t even have to be expensive. So with that in mind, keep reading more to find out about some backyard safety tips for families and pets.
Secure Your Boundaries
The first thing you need to do if you want to make your space completely safe is to ensure it’s completely enclosed, and a good fence is the right option to make that happen. A sturdy fence not only keeps pets and kids inside your boundary, but it actually keeps unwanted visitors outside (and that means both the human and the wild animal versions), so it’s got a doubly good reason for being there.
If your current fence is looking a bit (or a lot) worse for wear it’s just not going to be safe enough to protect your family and pets, and that’s exactly when you should consider hiring professional fence installation services to make it better for your peace of mind and overall property protection. You’ll want a design that’s tall enough to keep pets from climbing or jumping over, and it also needs to be strong to withstand the elements, but other than that, the design and even the colour are yours to choose.
Choose Pet-Friendly Plants
If your backyard has plants or flowers in it, as most of them will, it’s definitely worth checking what they are and seeing if they’re safe for pets - it might surprise you to discover that some plants that are common in a lot of gardens (and homes, come to that) and that you might have growing in your backyard are actually poisonous to pets. The main ones to avoid are lilies, azaleas, and even daffodils, which can all be toxic if your pet eats them (they’re not the only ones, so you’ll need to do research to be entirely sure).
You’ll need to switch your toxic plants for pet-safe varieties like marigolds, sunflowers, or herbs like basil and parsley, and then, even if your pet does decide to take a bite, they’ll be safe.
Keep Play Areas Safe
If you’ve got play equipment in your garden like swings or a slide, you should be checking them regularly to see if they’re still nice and stable and to watch out for any signs of wear and tear, and that’s important whether your kids use them all the time or they only occasionally get any use - the same problems can still occur.
One thing to look for is any loose screws or connections, but you’ll also need to look for rust, corrosion, splinters, sharp edges, and you’ll need to make sure the entire thing is properly anchored otherwise it could fall over and cause injury.
For the ground underneath, what about getting some soft material to put there like rubber mulch or sand? That will cushion any falls, and it’s a simple upgrade that can make a big difference when your kids are running around and having fun.
Provide Shade And Water
Your pets won’t be able to tell you if they’re too hot when they’re outside, so it’s a good idea to make sure you give them plenty of shady places to enjoy, as well as bowls of water to drink from (and keep topping it up if you see it’s empty or running low).
When it comes to shade, there are a few things you can do, like putting up some sun umbrellas, planting trees, or even creating a little shaded nook. Another option would be to install a shed or garden building that you can go into for a break from the sun if you need it (and the same goes for your pets and kids, of course!).
Your pets won’t be the only ones who might be affected by the sun, and if you and your family are outside, then another way to stay safe in the garden is to wear plenty of sunscreen - it can save a lot of pain and damage, and it keeps your skin protected from the sun’s harmful UV rays which can lead to all kinds of health problems in the future.
