Here are some tips for making sure your garden is just as safe as your home.
- Avoid buying plants with poisonous leaves or berries - or those which tend to irritate skin.
- Cover and fence off garden ponds/swimming pools if you've got young children.
- If you're using garden tools or equipment such as lawn mowers follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully and wear protective clothing if necessary. i.e. don't mow the lawn in thongs for instance!
- Make sure that all outdoor walkways are well-lit.
Some extra tips for parents
Safety in the garden is just as important as safety in the home. Here we've provided a few basic tips for making sure your garden is safe. Depending on your garden you may find that there are extra steps you need to make your garden a haven for children to play safely.
- Keep an eye on the kids when they're playing in the garden.
- If you have a pool, make sure that your fence meets Australian standards and your children are never left unattended.
- If you have outdoor toys, such as swing-sets, make sure you check these regularly to make sure that there is no rust, splinters or sharp edges. For swing-sets you should also check that the ground underneath the swing-set is soft enough to absorb any falls.
- Make sure that your garbage cans are securely covered.
- Make sure that any outside play areas are fenced off from the street and the driveway.
- Make sure you have a fully stocked first aid kit ready for any minor day to day accidents.