Keeping Guests, Family Safe in Your Backyard This Summer
Summertime is right around the corner and that means many Americans will be entertaining family and friends in their backyards.
Fire pits are helping homeowners extend the backyard season, and many of today’s playsets are more elaborate than a simple set of swings and a slide.
Whether you are spending time by the swimming pool or gathered around the grill, you will want to ensure that your guests and family are not at risk of getting hurt.
Finally, if you have older children who are mowing your lawn, make sure they operate the lawnmower safely as they are the cause of many summer injuries. Here’s a look at the biggest potential dangers to both guests and family during the summer.
Trampolines
Trampolines can be fun for kids, but according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, they are the cause of nearly 100,000 injuries each year. To play it safe:
- Allow one jumper at a time.
- Supervise children at all times.
- Remove trampoline ladders after use to prevent unsupervised access by young children.
- Consider a trampoline enclosure to prevent injuries from falls.
- Secure the trampoline and enclosure to the ground with an anchor kit.
Fire pits
Warm nights are the perfect time to roast marshmallows, but inadequate supervision or improper use of fire pits can cause injury. You should:
- Place the fire pit in an area away from your home, backyard deck or low-hanging tree branches.
- Always have an adult watching the fire pit while it is in use and until it has cooled off.
- Never leave the fire unattended.
- Use sand to fully extinguish the fire.
- Let the coals cool completely and dispose of them in a metal container.
Playsets
Damaged or weather-worn playsets can cause accidents. Stay safe by:
- Supervising children.
- Inspecting the set regularly, checking for sturdiness, rusty bolts and wood rot, and making necessary repairs.
- Inspecting playsets for openings between pieces that could trap a child’s head or neck.
- Placing playsets securely on level ground and on wood chips or other soft materials to cushion falls and help prevent injuries.
Garden water features
Fish ponds, waterfalls and other water features, while beautiful, can pose a drowning danger. Make sure:
- That an adult watches children at all times when in or near water.
- To install a lockable fence around the water feature.
- To tightly cover water treatment or chemical mixtures after use.
Lawnmowers
Lawn mowers can easily cause injury. Follow these tips for safety:
- Read the mower’s manual, heed safety and operating instructions and learn the controls.
- Do not allow children to ride as passengers on a riding lawn mower, and keep them a safe distance away or out of the yard completely while mowing.
- Clean up toys and other objects, such as rocks, from the yard to help prevent injuries to you, your loved ones and pets due to flying objects.
- Don’t leave a running mower unattended.
- Never unclog or work on a lawn mower while the engine is on or when the spark plug is connected.
- Don’t wear open-toed shoes when operating the mower.
- Do wear eye protection, and preferably long pants, while mowing your lawn.
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