When you’re living in your home, your garden should be a place of peace, relaxation and fun and not a source of hidden hazards or worries. Whether you’re out there hosting summer barbeques, watching your children play, or just tending to your plants, garden safety is essential for every household. Many homeowners focus on aesthetics, but creating a safe garden environment is just as important as anything else.
Pathways and Surfaces
The first consideration that anybody, gardener or homeowner should make is to consider evaluating the condition of your pathways and surfaces. Uneven, cracked or slippery paths can easily lead to accidents, so choosing durable non-slip materials such as natural stone paving can dramatically improve both the safety and the appearance of your garden. Natural stone will offer you an excellent grip even in wet conditions, and it’s got a timeless look which compliments almost any outdoor space. It’s the ideal choice for patios, walkways and areas around water features where traction really is crucial.
Make the Right Plant Choice
You then want to think about how your garden is used and who uses it. If you’ve got young kids or pets, there are additional safety factors to consider beyond the trip hazard of a bad paving. For example, some common plants can be toxic if ingested. For both pets and children, Foxglove, oleander, and even daffodil bulbs can pose risks. It’s always a good idea to review your planting list and ensure that your garden doesn’t include any species that is harmful. Opting for non-toxic alternatives like lavender, sunflowers and marigolds is a great idea and it brightens your garden in an instant.
Store Hazards
Other hazards in the garden include garden tools and chemicals. Always keep your tools stored in sheds, so shears, rakes and trimmers should be securely locked up. Pesticides, fertilizers andweed killers should always be kept out of reach of kids and pets are clearly labeled. Better yet, you should consider switching to organic or natural alternatives to reduce any chemical exposure altogether.
Check the Fence
To keep the garden itself secure, look at fencing and boundary options. Check regularly for broken panels, loose gates or gaps that may allow pets or children to escape. There might even be the risk of unwanted visitors trying to enter the home because your garden fencing is broken.You could also install motion sensitive lighting that can deter intruders and help to prevent trips and falls during the evening hours.
Water Features
If you plan to have water features and ponds, while these are beautiful, you do have to plan these properly. Any body of water that is deeper than an inch can be a risk to young children, so if you have a pond, consider adding a secure mesh cover or fencing to prevent accidents. Bird
baths and fountains should also be checked regularly for algae buildup, which can become slippery and hazardous.
Your garden should be a secure but enjoyable extension of your home. You need to make smart choices like the paving choices, the plant choices, and lighting choices out there so that you can
create an outdoor garden that’s not just beautiful but safe.
