Make your garden safe for your toddler

By the time your child is mobile and shows interest in playing outside, you should have conducted a garden safety audit. It doesn’t need to be complicated – write a list of all the possible things that could pose a threat to your child as they start to toddle, and even as they find their feet and become curious gardeners, afternoon campers and trampoline champions.

Your list might look something like this:

• Fencing – splinters, rusty nails
• Pond – several inches of water
• Garden tools – stored outside, not locked away
• Lawn – long, untidy, rough
• Plants – no idea what some of these are
• Pets – rabbit hutch not locked, dog mess

Then decide how you are going to remedy each problem.

Repair or replace fencing

Having a fence defines the space that your child is allowed to play in and protects them from wandering off your property. Consider height: is the fence tall enough to keep children from climbing over it – or a deterrent to keep unwelcome animals and people out? Are there any rough edges or sharp spikes on the fence that need attention? Try and replace old fence panels rather than repair them, as weathered wood that has not been looked after will continue to deteriorate.

What to do with ponds

Ponds make a scenic garden feature, but even a few inches of water pose a drowning danger to toddlers. You could make or commission a robust wire frame that can be secured over the pond if it’s not too large, or install a fence around it. Some parents may decide to get rid of the pond completely: you can drain it or fill it in and make a flowerbed as a last resort.

Lock up your garden tools

Secateurs, shears and digging tools that you use to keep your garden neat are hazards if left accessible. Children are curious by nature and you need to keep them away from anything potentially dangerous, so lock away the tools in a shed. This also goes for plant food and fertiliser, strimmer wire and – most obviously – weed killer or patio cleaner.

Cut your grass

All sorts of things can be hiding in long grass, especially if you have pets or a DIY expert in the house: bugs, dog poo, dead birds, forgotten tools, screws and other discarded objects, all of which are hazards to be tripped over, touched, wielded or eaten. The best way to deal with this is to keep your lawn short and neat at all times, so you can spot any potential issues and deal with them quickly.

Educate young children about plants

Poisonous plants, tree berries and flowers commonly grow in gardens – you may not know how to differentiate a ‘safe’ one from a poisonous variety. Use Google or a plant book to identify them through their characteristics and gauge whether you want to get rid of them. To be on the safe side, teach young children not to eat anything from the garden without asking you first.

Keep pets child-friendly

If you have any cats, dogs or rabbits that play in the garden, it’s important to remove droppings or faeces as soon as you spot them, and use water and a safe disinfectant if necessary. Some pet faeces can contain parasites that could cause infection or illness to your child. Remember to treat your pets with tapeworm and ringworm preventions, and of course fleas. Another good tip is to keep any sand pits covered when children are not playing in them because animals may use them as their loo spot!

Create a safe play area

Designated play areas within gardens are a good idea because you know they are designed with the child in mind – therefore safe and secure. You can make one with a sand pit, trampoline, swing and climbing equipment, all set within a fenced off area.

Supervising children is also the best form of childproofing your garden – with a few simple safety precautions you and your toddler can enjoy the refreshing life of the outdoors together.