Backyard Toy Safety: It’s All Fun and Games Until Somebody Gets Hurt!

Image:

Do you have a pool, a trampoline, a swing set or a treehouse in your backyard? If your backyard is every child's dream, every kid on the block may want to play there. To keep your kids (and everyone else's) safe, install a fence that's difficult to climb and take the following safety precautions.

Pools
You may have heard us say this before, but pools can pose a serious threat if proper precautions aren't taken. First of all, make sure you have a pool fence and a locking gate so people who don't live in your house cannot access the pool when you aren't there. When you are there, keep an eye on what's going on at the pool. Adult supervision is important in case of accident or injury.

Swing Sets
Today's swing sets run the gamut from basic to something you would find at a park. If you install one in your backyard, take these steps for safety:

• Make sure the swing set is appropriate for your children's ages and at a safe height and size for them.
• Place it in an area where the surface is level for better stability and set up a soft surface around the swing set for landing space.
• Space out swings carefully to prevent them from running into each other or other objects in the area, like tree branches or other backyard toys.

Trampolines
Trampolines are one of the most popular backyard toys, but also one of the most dangerous. There are so many ways for children to get hurt from getting fingers caught in the springs to landing wrong, falling off, bumping into each other, etc. If you decide to buy a trampoline, make sure there is always an adult supervising. Discourage children from doing stunts and encourage them to take turns jumping. Always check the trampoline's parts for any repairs that may need to be made and consider adding a safety net.

Tree Houses
Tree houses are just as dangerous as trampolines, but there are things that can be done to make them a little safer. First and foremost, make sure the tree for the tree house is strong enough to hold it. Check it regularly to make sure it’s secure enough to have children in it. There should also be a safe way to get up and down.

As you can imagine, height plays a part as well. Tree houses at greater heights will result in more severe injuries if a child accidentally falls out, and the higher it is, the more difficult it is to attach it to the tree securely. Follow proper guidelines for guardrails and remember that again, adult supervision is always recommended.

In general, having a protective surface for your child's play area is a very good safety measure to take. According to the National Safety Commission, nearly 80% of all playground injuries are from falls to the ground. The severity of injuries from any kind of fall while playing with backyard toys can be greatly reduced with protective surfaces that are properly maintained. Soft woodchips are more popular, but mulch, sand and engineered wood fiber are also better than having a surface of grass or dirt that hardens over time.

All of these things can be a fun addition to your yard, but they may also increase the risk of accidents. To protect yourself, tell your agent you have these things and consider increasing your liability coverage or adding an umbrella policy  If you don’t disclose features like a pool or trampoline, a future claim could be denied and your policy could even be cancelled. 

• Before You Make a Splash…

  

  Whether you’re new to pool ownership or you’ve had one for a while, it never hurts to review these pool safety rules at the start of pool season.

  Read This

• Before You Grab a Key…

  

  Boats, RVs, motorcycles, ATVs/UTVs, convertibles…if it needs a key, it probably needs insurance—and safety tips. 

  Read This

• Before You Fire Up the Grill…

  

  There’s more to grilling safety than making sure the food temperature is appropriate. See what else to watch out for. 

  Read This

The product information contained on this website is informational only and not a statement of contract. All coverage options are subject to the provisions of the policy purchased and details of the policyholder's situation.

Ask your Shelter agent which products are available in your state.