Simply letting the children play in their own green is the dream of many parents. Unfortunately, there are not only dangers lurking here due to poisonous plants. In this article you will learn how to make your property child-friendly and safe.
Fencing the garden and pond is particularly important to protect children
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 area. Therefore you should enclose your property with a childproof fence:
- This should ideally be 1.40 meters high.
- With a wooden fence, the slats must have a maximum distance of 11 centimeters. So the small 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 fence occasionally for defects. Kids can get painful injuries from protruding nails or sharp edges.
Garden pond and pool
If small children get their face under water, they fall into a kind of rigidity with respiratory arrest. They drown quietly, which means they do not attempt to save themselves and do not cry out for help. Therefore, even low water can become a deadly danger for them. For this reason, never allow children to play unsupervised near unsecured water!
However, you do not have to do without a garden pond or pool, because water areas can be designed to be child-safe. Steep embankments and slippery stone slabs when wet can be avoided right from the start. Even if it clouds the uninterrupted view of the pond: With a pond fence, ideally paired with a pond protective grid, you can successfully keep little explorers away from the seductive but dangerous water.
You can also fence and/or cover the pool. A pool alarm provides additional security. This device perceives larger wave movements that arise when a person falls into the water.
Free areas to romp
Children love to run and romp. As a result, garden tools such as rakes and shovels can become an unintended source of danger. Therefore, clear away all equipment immediately after gardening.
Safe playground equipment
A swing with a climbing frame or a play tower are the absolute highlights of the garden for many children. However, make sure you set it up securely and check the ground anchors regularly. When purchasing, the blue GS mark guarantees quality.
tips
Containers filled with water, such as tubs and rain barrels (€53.99) represent a source of danger that is often underestimated. Secure all containers that the child could fall into with sturdy covers.