Backyard safety

Here at American Fork Pediatrics, we want to help you have a safe and fun summer right in your own backyard.  Here are a few suggestions for eliminating potential hazards and keeping your backyard safe. 

• If you don’t have a fenced yard, teach your children the boundaries they can play within.  Always have a responsible person supervise outdoor play.
• Check your yard for dangerous plants. A leading cause of poisoning with preschoolers is plant poisoning.  If you are unsure about any of the plants in your yard, call your local Poison Help Line (1–800–222–1222) and request a list of poisonous plants common to our area. If you have any poisonous plants, either replace them or securely fence them off away from your children.
• Teach your child never to pick and eat anything from a plant, no matter how good it looks, without your permission. This is especially important if you let them help out in a vegetable garden where there’s produce that could be eaten.
• If you use pesticides or herbicides on your lawn or garden, read the instructions carefully. Don’t allow children to play on a treated lawn for at least forty-eight hours.
• Don’t use a power mower to cut the lawn with young children around. The mower can throw sticks or stones with enough force to cause an injury. Never have your child on a riding mower even when you are driving.
• When you cook food outdoors, make sure to watch the grill so young children don't touch it, and explain that it is hot like the stove in the kitchen.  Store propane grills so your children can' reach the knobs and be sure charcoal is cold before you dump it.
• Always be aware if children are playing anywhere near traffic flow.  Do not allow small children to cross the street by them self, even if it is just to go get a ball.  

Information taken from HealthyChildren.org

We love to answer any questions you might have, so call our office anytime!!