Letting the children play in their own green is the dream of many parents. But unfortunately there are more than just dangers from poisonous plants lurking here. In this article you will find out how to make your property child-friendly and safe.
What precautions are important for children in the garden?
To make the garden child-safe, you should set up secure fencing, secured water areas, free areas for running around and safe play equipment. Also pay attention to garden tools and poisonous plants to minimize potential dangers.
The fence
Children are curious and want to discover the world. If the garden is not fenced in, sooner or later they will set off to explore the surrounding area. That's why you should surround your property with a child-proof fence:
- This should ideally be 1.40 meters high.
- With a wooden fence, the slats must have a maximum distance of 11 centimeters. The little head is guaranteed not to fit through and can get stuck unintentionally.
- Pointed fence slats can be dangerous for children who like to climb. Wrought iron fences or the popular hunter's fence are therefore not considered suitable for children.
Check the fencing occasionally for damaged areas. Kids can suffer painful injuries from protruding nails or sharp edges.
Garden pond and pool
If small children get their faces under water, they fall into a kind of paralysis and are unable to breathe. They drown quietly, which means they do not attempt to rescue themselves or scream for help. That's why even low water can be a deadly danger for them. For this reason, never let children play unsupervised near unsafe water!
However, you don't have to do without a garden pond or pool, because water areas can be made child-safe. Steep slopes and stone slabs that are slippery when wet can be avoided during the system. Even if it obscures the uninterrupted view of the pond: a pond fence, ideally paired with a pond protection gate, successfully keeps little researchers away from the tempting but dangerous water.
You can also fence and/or cover the pool. A pool alarm (€349.00 at Amazon) offers additional security. This device detects larger wave movements that occur when a person falls into the water.
Free areas to run around
Children love to run and romp around. This means that garden tools such as rakes and shovels can become unintentional sources of danger. Therefore, put away all equipment immediately after gardening.
Safe play equipment
Having your own swing with a climbing frame or a play tower is the absolute highlight of the garden for many children. However, be sure to ensure safe installation and check the ground anchors regularly. When purchasing, the blue GS mark guarantees the quality.
Tip
Vessels filled with water such as tubs and rain barrels represent a source of danger that is often underestimated. Secure all containers that the child could fall into with sturdy covers.
