As a parent of young children, there’s not
much that will give you greater joy than seeing our children playing freely in
the garden with a great big smile on
their faces. Young children love being outside. They don’t care how green the
grass is or how pretty the flowers are. They don’t mind if the path is a little
muddy or if the fences need painting, they just love being outdoors. They enjoy
exploring their creativity and
learning more about what they can do with their own bodies. They like pushing
their boundaries, feeling new textures, smelling the great outdoors and getting
a little bit dirty. Whether they are splashing around in a paddling pool on a
summers day or jumping up and down in muddy puddles in the winter time, they
are happy.
But, you’ll also be worried about their
safety. If you want to let them explore and enjoy themselves, it’s essential
that you take the time to make sure your garden is safe for them to play in.
Keep it
Free From Pests
Your garden can be home to many annoying and
even dangerous pests. Ants, bees, beetles, slugs
and even mice and voles can take up residence in our gardens. Some of these
aren’t harmful to children, but others are. The odd bee won’t do any harm, but
if you find there’s a nest near your home or garden, it’s crucial that you look
into bee removal before letting your
children play in the area. If you notice any pests or bugs, do your research
and have them removed if necessary.
Lock
Away Chemicals
Even the smallest, most family-friendly gardens
can be dangerous. We use chemicals to tend the lawn and to clean things up. We
paint and varnish. We use power tools, ladders, hammers, and lawnmowers. All of
these things are perfectly safe for an adult to use. But, could cause a child
harm. If you’ve got a shed, make sure things are put away when you have
finished using them, and that the door remains locked at all times.
Keep it
Confined
Some gardens have a pathway to the front of
the house. Others have a small gate that children are able to open as soon as
they can reach. While it’s probably fair to assume that you will be supervising
your children in the garden when they are very young, you’ll know from
experience what they can manage if you look away for even a second. So, ensure
your garden is fully enclosed either with a high gate which can be locked or a
tall fence.
Be
Careful With Planting
If your garden is an open space and your kids
have access to all areas, you need to be careful with planting. Kids love
colorful and pretty things. If you’ve got flowers, they will want to touch
them. So, make sure nothing is an irritant or likely to cause itching or
infection.
Always
Supervise Around Water
Whether you have got a pond or pool, a small
paddling pool in the warmer months or even just a tiny fountain or feature, it
can pose a threat to children. Try to fence off deep water, and never let them
near even shallow waters without supervision.
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