Online Tools & Safety Tips

Make your backyard a safe place

Your backyard should be a place where you and your family can relax and have fun. A few simple precautions can keep backyard hazards to a minimum:

• Put garden tools and game equipment back in place after you use them. They can cause a fall if they are left lying around.
• Keep your walkways and driveway in good condition. Make repairs before an accident happens. Securely anchor children's outdoor play equipment, such as slides and swings. Make sure they are in good repair and check regularly for worn or broken parts.
• Keep children and pets a safe distance away when you operate a mower or other power equipment.
• Shut off your power mower when you're emptying the grass catcher. Disconnect the power, empty the gas tank and remove the spark plug before you clean or repair mowers.
• If you have a clothes line, make sure it is above head level.
• If you have a swimming pool, it should be surrounded by a high fence that can't be climbed. The fence should be secured by a self-closing, self-latching gate.
• Never let children swim unattended, no matter what the water's depth or how experienced your child may be. For a small child, even an inch of water can be dangerous.
• For swimmers five and under, the YMCA encourages the use of Coast Guard-approved flotation devices. Unapproved devices such as water wings, floats and rings should only be used with adult supervision and never where a child cannot comfortably stand with his or her head above water.

This contains generally accepted information about fire prevention and accident prevention. However, because every situation is different, we are not assuming liability for the accuracy or use of the information contained herein.