When summertime is around the corner, families carry out more outdoor activities than usual, increasing the risks linked to dangers associated with items that can be found in our own yards.
Because of the many dangers that your children could be exposed to, Consumer Reports decided to publish a guide to offer parents important tips on how to safely child-proof your yard. Safety advocates have reported that lawn mowers, pesticides and poisonous plants are some of the most hazardous items in most U.S. household’s yards.
Lawn mowers re responsible for 68,000 injuries annually while poisonous plants are the leading causes of poisoning among children in the country.
To child-proof your yard, first you should remember to never use a lawn mower while a child is present. Injuries linked to lawn mowers include deep cuts and burns, amputations, loss of toes and fingers. You should remember that lawn mowers should always be stored properly in garages or sheds that are locked at all times. Children who are below the age of 14 must never operate a lawn mower. While mowing your lawn, make sure that children and pets are inside. Injuries linked to the use of lawn mower include bruises and cuts caused by flying objects, wood and metals. Most mowers are capable of ejecting objects at 100 miles per hour.
Whenever you or a child older than 14 is mowing the lawn, make sure to have eye protection on. If your child is mowing the lawn, don’t her him or her do it without adult supervision.
Pesticides or any other chemicals should always be stored in cabinets that are locked and out of the reach of the child.
Do not transfer potentially dangerous chemicals to bottles or other cups that could make the products look harmless or even appealing to children. Consider using non-chemicals to treat weeds or different types of pests. If you absolutely must use chemical pesticides, make sure that pets and children are away from the area. Do not let them play around the spot where you’re applying the pesticide for at least 48 hours to avoid a potential poisoning hazard.
Poisoning plants are everywhere. When it comes to keeping your children safe, parents should make sure that poisoning plants are taken care of before summer comes beaming. You can contact your local poison control center for a current and accurate listing of all poisonous plants in your area. As soon as you can, fence the poisonous plants or remove them, to prevent a potential poisoning that could be linked to the ingestion of the dangerous plants.
Keeping the number for the Poison Control Center at hand is also important. Caregivers should also keep that in mind, in case a child is exposed to any poisons under their watch.
Stay alert and follow the tips the Consumer Reports gathered in this article to keep your children safe this summer.