5 Steps to a safer backyard

With all the pool parties, pup-tent sleepovers and barbecues held in the summer months, the backyard gets a lot of use. Even so, only half of U.S. homeowners with backyards have actively taken steps to prevent injuries in their outdoor areas, according to the Home Safety Council.

Help protect your family and guests with these safety measures:

1. Scan play equipment for danger. Look for sharp objects, rusty nails and weakening joints and support pieces. Cover the surface below the equipment with wood chips, mulch or pea gravel, so children have a soft place to land. And examine the area for potential strangulation hazards. According to the Home Safety Council, a child’s head can be trapped in openings 3.5 to 9 inches wide.


2. Establish a grill zone. Keep the grill well away from the play area, and designate the space a “no-play zone” for both kids and pets. Place the grill at least 3 feet away from your home, deck and other flammable objects.


3. Childproof the pool. On average, 200 young children drown in pools and spas each year between Memorial Day and Labor Day, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Install a childproof fence and self-closing gate around the pool—it may even be a law in your area. Install gate locks and a pool alarm, and always keep a careful watch while kids are in the pool.


4. Verify that your deck is attached to your home using anchors and bolts, not nails, which can slip out over time. If you have an older deck, consider having a professional inspector examine it to make sure it is safe.


5. Keep gasoline, pesticides and harmful outdoor chemicals stored out of the reach of children. Leave them in the original containers so they’re easily identified, and promptly put them away in a locked cabinet or bin after use.