Your backyard offers the ideal place to spend time outside. However, if you're planning on getting plenty of use out of your backyard, you should make sure it doesn't have hazards that could be harmful to you and your household, including your pets. Here are a few ways you can make your backyard a safer place:
Switch to a Fenced-In Yard
If your yard doesn't have a fence, consider installing one. A fenced-in yard provides a safer environment for kids and pets, since it can stop them from running into the street or wandering away and getting lost. Putting a fence around your backyard can also stop wildlife and other people's pets from getting onto your property. Make sure you install a sturdy fence with a self-latching gate for added safety.
Get Rid of Toxic Plants
A backyard that's only filled with grass shouldn't be much of a safety problem, but watch out for plants that could be toxic to people or pets. Search your yard for any vegetation, including weeds, that are considered hazardous or toxic when ingested. Eliminate other plant hazards from your yard too, such as poison ivy or poison oak.
Check for Dangerous Pests
Wasps, fire ants and other pests can make your backyard a dangerous place. Check for fire ant mounds, wasp and hornet nests and other potential pest problems in your yard. If you're not sure how to handle these safely, you should hire pest control professionals. Eliminating these dangers from your yard helps make it a safe place for everyone in your home.
Set Up a Safe Grilling Area
Grills can be a hazard for kids and pets, but that doesn't mean you can't have one in your backyard. Set up a grilling area that's far enough away from any play areas, so kids won't wander close to the grill. Store matches, lighter fluid and other flammable items in a secure place that kids and pets can't reach.
Keep Trees in Good Shape
Tree limbs can seriously injure people and pets when they fall. Check the trees in your yard for dead or decaying limbs that need to be removed. Getting rid of these hazards helps reduce the risk of severe injuries from falling tree limbs.
About the Author
Robin Anderson Real Estate
“My Passion is people and relationships and I promise to provide my clients with exceptional service tailored to their individual needs.” -Robin Anderson
Georgia native, Robin Anderson brings her passion for people and her love of homes to work for her clients. She and her husband, Andy, have been married for over 30 years and have two adult children, Ellen and Drew. They currently live in Fulton County, but Robin has lived and invested in properties throughout metro Atlanta as well as helped clients buy and sell. She has been integral to many real estate endeavors including designing and building several custom homes, remodeling homes, subdividing land, managing rental properties, and buying and selling properties. She spent her first 3 years in real estate working with a new home builder, and she has spent the last 6 years working with buyers and sellers in her own community. Robin is highly motivated but sensitive to the fact that buying and selling homes can be an emotional experience, so she makes it a priority to keep clients closely informed throughout the process and strives to produce quick results. She appreciates the opportunity to help her clients navigate the real estate process, and she aspires to deliver quality customer service that is both informative and positive. She is driven to provide outstanding service for her clients and she is focused on building successful and lasting relationships with her clients. This personalized service earns her enthusiastic referrals from clients she is pleased to call friends.Edit
