Overview:
This project will show you how to childproof your garage and yard. Keeping their child safe is every parent's priority. And, as any parent knows, it's amazing what kids can get into. Take a few minutes to childproof your garage and yard so you can enjoy the fresh air worry-free. Of course, there's no substitute for supervision and you should review your childproofing measures every six months to make sure your child hasn't outgrown or outsmarted them!
Materials:
safety latches for cupboards, door locks, safety gates, hook and eye latches
Tools You'll Need:
30-pc. toolkit
Barbara's Tips:
Make sure your child is always supervised when playing outside. To prevent unauthorized "breakouts" install hook and eye latches on all doors leading from the house to outside.
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Step 1: Determine the Hazards
Garages full of paints or chemicals, swimming pools, barbecue grills, uneven walkways and outdoor play structures are common, but potentially hazardous features of many homes. Evaluate your yard from a safety-point-of view using the checklist below.
Step 2: Make it Safe
- A child can drown in 2 inches of water. If you have a pool it should be surrounded by a fence with a locking gate. Keep your child away from other water sources such as wells, lakes, or streams. Always supervise your child around water, even if it's just a kiddy pool.
- Keep all toxins out of reach of children. Paints, thinners, chemicals and fuels should be safely stored out of reach.
- Use door locks or gates to keep children out of the garage.
- Make sure the garage door reverses automatically if there is an obstruction.
Step 3: Make it Safe, cont.
- Keep children away from adult exercise equipment.
- Inspect outdoor play structures (climbers, swing sets, playhouses) for loose screws, sharp edges, splintered wood and small removable parts that could be choking hazards. Make sure all structures are stable and secure.
- Keep children away from barbecue grills, especially when in use.
- Fix loose bricks or cracked cement pathways that could cause tripping.
- Put stickers on sliding glass doors so children won't walk into them.
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