Fatal accidents are the third most common cause of death in the United States. You may be surprised to realize that many serious dangers are present in your backyard. Accidental drownings, trampoline injuries, and slippery steps can all lead to serious injuries. With some careful planning, you can create a safe outdoor environment for your family to enjoy and significantly reduce the risks of accidental injury and death.
Pool Fence
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has reported that the leading cause of unintentional death for children one to four years of age is accidental drowning. Accidental drowning is the second most common cause of unintentional death for children five to nine years of age and ranks as the fifth most common cause of death for children ages 10 to 14. Unintentional drowning ranks as one of the top nine causes of accidental death for every age group from infant to 54 years of age.
One way to protect your children from accidental drowning is to install pool fencing. Pool Guard USA supplies vendors around the globe and also sells directly to consumers. They offer quality, affordable fencing that will compliment your backyard decor while ensuring the safety of your family and guests. Pool fences are legally required by many communities and can prevent a family tragedy. They also offer the added bonus of keeping animals out of your pool. Many pool fences also come with a lifetime warranty.
Yard Security
Make sure your yard is fully fenced in to increase your yard’s safety. This will keep young children from wandering off. It will also make it harder for people to access their backyard without permission. A complete fence also keeps animals out of your yard, which can prevent you or your child from being bitten by a strange dog.
A security system is another effective tool for increasing your safety. Security systems can be set up to trigger alerts when motion sensors are activated. You can prevent break-ins, as well as reduce the chances of someone tampering with your equipment or stealing your belongings. Motion sensors can also be used to alert you if someone is entering your pool area unexpectedly.
Controlled Access
You can prevent accidents by ensuring that you have an outdoor storage facility, such as a shed, where dangerous items are secured. Children can hurt themselves with rakes, hedge trimmers, and other sharp gardening tools. Pesticides should also be secured in a locked storage unit to prevent children from accidentally ingesting toxins.
You can also use structures to control access to yard features. It is important to install a sturdy handrail that runs alongside steps to and from your door. This can help prevent falls. You can also use fencing to secure fire pits and outdoor heaters. It is important to ensure that people do not sit too close to an open fire pit to prevent accidental injuries.
Emergency Supplies
Careful planning can reduce the risks of accidents and unexpected injuries, but it is not foolproof. It is important to ensure that you have appropriate emergency supplies on hand based on the features in your outdoor area. You should always have a first aid kit that is easily accessible. Make sure you have gloves, bandages, tweezers and scissors in your kit. Alcohol-free cleansing wipes can be used to disinfect wounds. You may want to have cream for treating bug bites or bee stings, and you should also ensure you have quick and easy access to allergy medication.
Provide sunscreen for your family and guests to prevent sunburns. A fire extinguisher is also a safety essential, especially if you have a barbecue or fire pit. Pool owners should ensure there are life preservers nearby in case a swimmer gets a cramp. Children and guests should also have access to safe drinking water. You can improve yard safety for all by creating a shade feature in your yard where people can go to prevent overheating.
