Hosts Dan Pawlus and Mayita Dinos identify several potential garden hazards that should be clearly recognized and closely monitored to ensure children's safety. Dan and Mayita also stress the importance of supervising children at all times when they're outdoors. Key hazards and recommended precautions are outlined below:
Hazard: Water gardens--Like swimming pools, water gardens carry the risk of a child being drowned if he or she falls into the water-filled cavity.
Precautions: Educate children on the danger of these areas, and never have a water garden without a fence that will keep young children a safe distance away. (Fences also protect neighborhood children who have access to the yard.) Also contact the state to learn the regulation depth of water gardens.
Hazard: Sharp tools
Precautions: Never leave children unattended around tools. When tools are not in use, keep them locked up and stored in an area that children cannot access.
Hazard: Fertilizers--The bright pigments used in many fertilizers may attract children and tempt them to taste the products.
Precaution: Lock fertilizers away in an area that children cannot access.
Hazard: Harmful plants (cactus, rotunda holly and any other thorny or prickly plants)
Precaution: Make sure children's play areas--those near swing sets, pools, doghouses, etc.--are kept clear of any hazardous plant varieties.
Hazard: Roses--Hazards are similar to those posed by thorny plants, since the stems of many rose varieties are covered with sharp thorns.
Precautions: Keep thorny roses out of play areas, or consider planting thornless varieties instead. Show children the roses and explain why they are "untouchable."
Hazard: Non-edible (yet tempting) vegetation
Precaution: Instruct children not to eat anything found in the yard or garden unless it is picked under parental supervision.
Hazard: Plants that attract dangerous insects (bees, wasps, yellow jackets, etc.)
Precaution: Plant these varieties--sunflowers, blue-colored flowers, rosemary, etc.--in moderation and away from play areas.
Hazard: Wasp nests and ant hills
Precautions: Show children how to recognize these insect havens and explain why it's important to avoid them. Also tell them to notify a parent (who will call the local pest control agency) if they discover either of these hazards.
Hazard: Chemicals--Some brands look like Kool-Aid.
Precaution: Lock all chemicals away in an area that children cannot access.
Hazard: Tainting children's lunches, thermometers, etc. with traces of chemicals or fertilizers.
Precaution: Be sure to wash hands thoroughly after working in the garden, and wear gloves when handling chemicals.
