You have taken every precaution to make sure your child is safe in your garden, including securing entrances and blocking potential escape routes. Here are five tips from twinsclub on how to make your garden child-friendly.
Choose Grass or Wood
Decide what the main surface of your garden will be. Lawns can vary from beautifully mown stripes to little tufts that resemble scrub. It’s natural though, soft to fall on and providing it’s dry and not in an area that doesn’t get any sun, not too slippery. Wood chippings or bark can also make a great surface, particularly under climbing frames, swings and other apparatus. It is good at cushioning falls but remember, little children can put the small pieces of wood in their mouths.
Think About Artificial Grass
As artificial grass has become more popular and the technology has improved, the price has come down. Your garden will look good all year round. The latest artificial grass is hard-wearing, you can even install cushion underfelt to further protect your children against falls; it’s great for crawling on too. If you are worried about how to install artificial turf, talk to experts such as Evermore, an excellent company with years of experience and an great reputation among customers for supplying and laying artificial turf.
Include Safe Water Features
It is possible for a child to drown in a few inches of water. Don’t install a garden pond and if you already have one make sure that it is covered and child-proof. Avoid any features that have an exposed reservoir that catches and holds water, even if it is just a bucket. This doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy the tranquillity water can bring to your garden or install a feature that will hold a child’s attention. Bubble fountains are popular and safe as are small cascades, or bird tables where the water is well above a child’s height.
Avoid Toxic Plants
It is surprising how many of our popular garden favourites are toxic. Children must be told as soon as they can understand, that the shouldn’t put anything in their mouths, including attractive, colourful plants and flowers they find outdoors. You might have to curb your longing for rhubarb fool for a while, rhubarb leaves are poisonous. Mushrooms are always tempting to a child and they know we do eat them sometimes. Get rid of any mushrooms or toadstools growing in your grounds, don’t try to distinguish between the ones that harmful, even lethal and those that aren’t. Do an inventory of the plants in your garden and check them against a list of poisonous ones.
Encourage Kids to Explore
Children have a natural curiosity and once you are certain your garden in safe you can relax and encourage them to explore. Teach them about the different animals, birds and insects that come into your garden. Perhaps have a creepy-crawly safari or buy them a book that helps them recognise different birds; the Observers Book of Birds is a good one. If they just want to make a den behind the shed or in a shaded area or do nothing other than dig mud pies, well that’s alright too.