Backyard Safety for Kids

Featured Pro: Eric Stromer
Category: Home Improvement
Time: 1:26


ERIC STROMER: Hey, I’m Eric Stromer. Here’s your GMC Trade Secret.

If you have kids and they’re playing out in the backyard, there’s a couple of very important safety things I want to talk to you about.

First of all, if you have a pool or you’re thinking of putting one in, check with the Department of Building and Safety in regard to a pool fence. It’s very important to keep those kids supervised and safe.

Now, while we’re talking about fences and pools, I want to point something out to you over here. We have a lovely play area, and over here we have a beautiful pool. What’s missing? A dividing fence. You absolutely want to have a fence delineating these two areas so that kids can safely play here without gaining access to the pool.

And speaking of play structures, whenever you have a play structure for your children, make sure it is not pressure-treated wood. It’s very hazardous to their health and it’s very dangerous for the splinters and the problems that could potentially happen when they’re playing on it.

Now, I want to show you something else over here. Now, take a look at this area here. This is an electrical outlet. It is outdoor. And for little kids who are incredibly curious, I recommend putting a plastic cover around here. It’s lockable. It keeps the kids’ fingers out of any electrical outlets.

And while you’re down in this situation, this would be a good idea to put yourself in your child’s eyes and see the world from this perspective. Walk around your yard. Find any sharp garden tools, rakes, shovels, anything that might be an issue. Even sprinkler heads can sometimes pop up and be a bit of a problem.

So keep an eye out on your kids. Make sure they’re safe.

I’m Eric Stromer. That’s your GMC Trade Secret.