Child Safety Guide in the Garden
The garden must be as secure as possible because children love to explore. Mend gaps or holes in the fence and check that the gate can be securely fastened.
Never leave any electrical equipment such as a lawnmower or a hedge trimmer running or unattended with children around. If you’re mowing the lawn, check the grass for stones because they could be hurled in the air by the mower. Don’t leave weedkillers or pesticides lying around as some of these chemicals are very poisonous. Garden tools can be dangerous in young hands, so take care not to have more out than you need and don’t let your child play with them. If a child is playing near you as you dig or use a fork, remember she may move quickly, so don’t turn rapidly or swing the tool backwards or sideways without looking. Never leave a rake with its prongs upwards, or someone could step on it and be seriously hurt by the prongs or by the handle hitting them in the face.
A septic tank must be safely covered, as must a well or water butt. A pond or swimming pool should be fenced or wired over with strong netting. However shallow the water, it’s a real danger because a young child can drown in just a few inches. Always supervise young children in the paddling pool and always empty it if your child is playing in the garden without you.
Garden ornaments such as stone birdbaths can all too easily be pulled over, so cement them in place. Make sure stone or paved steps and paths are level and safe.
Garden sheds contain many sharp, heavy and poisonous things, so they should be kept locked. Hang garden tools safely on the wall where they can’t be reached or pulled down. Keep chemicals locked away and never put them into unlabelled bottles. Keep children away when you’re doing any DIY projects. In one third of DIY accidents, it’s the watching child who is hurt.
The same principles apply to the garage. Keep gas, oil and other chemicals, such as those you use to clean the car, out of reach and don’t let children play with car maintenance tools. Never let a child come near a jacked-up car and don’t prop a car up on bricks. Always remember to check that your child is well clear when you drive away. It’s very easy not to notice a small child when you’re in a hurry. Take special care that your child is nowhere near the car door as you shut it. Children move quickly and car doors can readily crush fingers or deliver a nasty blow. Be particularly cautious if you’re feeling unwell or are anxious or angry. That’s just the time when accidents are most likely to happen.
