Safety Tips for Kids on Your Deck

Kids are known for their carefree attitudes, which is a quality most of us adults are envious of! However, carelessness and clumsiness can result in accidents quite easily, so it’s important for you to accident-proof your home as much as possible for your own children as well as visiting children or young neighbors. Let’s take a look at some of the best ways to keep your deck safe for kids!

Shade

Make sure your deck has an umbrella, awning, or other means of producing shade. The harsh summer sun can be brutal, but if the kids have a shaded, cool place to play, you won’t need to restrict their time outdoors as much on hotter days.

Railings

Having railings around your deck, especially on stairways, helps children to maintain their balance when moving about. Gaps between railing posts should be narrow if you know little ones will be frequently using your deck, since it is easy for them to slip through or become stuck. Installing railing guards is another helpful idea if you have toddlers in the home.

Grilling

Position your grilling station in an area opposite where kids will be playing. You don’t want them getting into sharp cooking utensils or running around near the grill when it is hot and in use. If possible, gate off the cooking area to ensure children stay far away from the heat.

Nails

Get down on your hands and knees to inspect the deck from a child’s point of view. You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to miss raised nails, splinters, and other hazards from a higher eye level. Repair and replace loose or broken nails and sand areas with visible splinters.

Non-Slip

If you have a pool, your deck is bound to get wet from family and guests tracking water from place to place in your backyard. Install non-slip grips to stairs and other areas of the deck where you expect water to accumulate most frequently.

Locks

Ensure that doors and gates leading to and from your deck are equipped with locks to prevent kids from venturing onto the deck unsupervised. Add security gates that swing inwards to decks with stairs to keep children from toppling down them if they lean on the gate when it is not shut properly.

Looking for a professional decking company in Baltimore? Contact the professionals at North American Deck & Patio today!

“Jim at North American patio and deck's came up with the most ingenious way of utilizing our small very slanted very water drained environment and turned it into a virtual oasis. Making this deck the envy of all our ambitions and gem for the community.”

– C. Cross