Kids are curious and that’s a fact of life that we adults just have to accept. It is also our jobs as parents to ensure the safety of these children. That is why it is so important to have a plan for patio safety for kids. You want your outdoor refuge to stay an outdoor refuge, not an instrument that can harm a child. When it comes to safety, sure, there are some things that are just common sense. However, some of the tips below might give you insight on more ways to keep your kids protected while enjoying your patio.

Patio Safety Tip #1 – If your patio is an extension of your home, say right outside your back door, make sure that any glass doors and windows (like storm or sliding glass doors and windows) have the safety tempered glass installed. Be sure to keep the windows and doors to the outside patio area locked so kids do not wander off with you knowing about it.

Patio Safety Tip #2 – Small children love putting things in their mouths. So if you have plants on your patio, be sure that none of them are toxic if accidentally ingested. Along the same lines, if you treat the patio area for ants or insects, keep the kids away from the area for several hours until the poison dissipates or dries. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the insect treatments to be safe.

Patio Safety Tip #3 – Some people have fire or barbecue pits on their patios. In order to promote patio safety for kids, never leave kids unattended with a lit fire pit and barbecue going. Kids can be rambunctious and tend to knock things over in their exuberance. They could accidentally knock the fire out onto the patio which could then spread, endangering not only their lives but also the house. An adult should never leave a fire unattended; much less have a child in the vicinity when a fire is lit.

Patio Safety Tip #4 – Some people have storage shelves or cabinets on their patio that houses garden tools and chemicals. Either these chemicals and tools need to be relocated to another part of the home or they need to be kept under lock and key, away from the curiosity of kids. There are many household accidents every year from kids ingesting a chemical or yard pesticide and even cutting themselves on lawn tools. Avoid the trip to the emergency room and lock those things away.

Patio Safety Tip #5 – When childproofing your home, hire a consultant to give you guidance as to what to avoid. While most of this consulting is done primarily inside the home, it would be a smart move to extend that to the patio area as well, especially if it is used a lot. Chances are that the consultant would see and recognize more hazards than you would. After all, they research these hidden dangers to children as part of their job. It could be one of the best investments you ever made.

When in doubt, try to think like a child. Get on your hands and knees and look at the world at their level. You will have an entirely difference perspective when looking up instead of down. To make the patio a true outdoor haven, ensuring the safety of your kids is of utmost importance.