Is Your Backyard Safe?

Warm weather means outdoor playtime for kids of all ages. And while parents usually remember to be extra cautious at the beach or local Park the backyard is often forgotten when it comes to safety checks. This can be a dangerous oversight.
Accidents can happen anywhere but the backyard doesn't have to a hidden danger zone for your family. Here are some tips on how to safety proof your back yard and head off trouble from the start.

PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT - According to a report from the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center the major cause of deaths on playground equipment is strangulation and the majority of these happen at home. Make sure your play equipment is safe.

	Check nuts, bolts or anything that sticks out from swing sets or other play equipment. They can get loose or rusty over the winter. Tighten them up, cover them to avoid scratches and cuts and do general maintenance come spring.
	Make sure the ground is soft underneath. Plush grass or woodchips is a good choice.
	Never allow loose clothing or drawstrings of any kind on your children when playing on swing sets, slides, etc. Cut off or remove drawstrings and tuck in loose clothing. Make sure shoes are tied. Strings and loose clothes can get caught and cause serious damage, such as strangulation.
	No ropes on swing sets, playhouses or climbing toys. Same reason as above. It's too easy for a child to strangle himself accidentally.
	Set ground rules and teach your children to obey them or else theywill not be allowed to play on the equipment.
	Trampolines are a big controversy. Deborah Niedbala RN, recommends not even having one. Head injuries and broken bones from trampolines are too common in the emergency room where she works she says. Others recommend if you are going to have them use the safety nets and never let children play unsupervised on them. Only allow one person at a time to jump.

Part 2 - Swimming Pool Safety Part 3 - Lawn Safety