FEATURE: SAFETY & SECURITY T things


he great outdoors is a wonderful place to explore with the summer season officially starting on June 21 - but be


aware of hidden dangers for young children as they play in the garden. A


spokesperson for


GardenBuildingsDirect.co.uk says: “As the warmer weather beckons, children will spend more time in the garden. “But are there objects which


could result in an easily preventable accident? Take time to think ahead and make sure they are either safely out of the way, or children know to be careful with them. “Taking a few minutes of planning


before children begin to enjoy exploring the garden could save potential accidents and heartache later on.” Here are some of the critical to


consider from


GardenBuildingsDirect.co.uk Play equipment


Regularly check your play equipment, such as climbing frames and slides, for jagged edges or loose screws, which can cause a sudden nasty injury. With wear and tear, the standard of equipment may also


“Taking a few minutes of planning before children begin to enjoy exploring the garden could save potential accidents and heartache later on.”


SAFETY FIRST: BEWARE OF THE HAZARDS LURKING IN THE GARDEN


As we head towards the summer months, the experts at GardenBuildingsDirect. co.uk say it’s worthwhile taking a critical eye to assess your outdoor space regularly to identify hazards to keep children safe.


deteriorate with time, so it is essential to see if it is safe to play with regularly. Always follow the instructions on erecting new equipment and any safety advice given.


Greenhouses Greenhouses are not playhouses, so children should be discouraged from exploring these in the first place. It is worth investing in a greenhouse with strong glass


to


reduce the risk of injury in the event of a smashed window from a stray football, where the glass will not shatter into tiny hazardous shards.


Trampolines These should be secured safely in position to ensure they cannot capsize or move around, and it is safer for just one person to use the trampoline at a time to give them the space to play and prevent awkward knocks and injury.


Poisonous berries and plants Just as children are told not to eat plants or berries without checking with a parent first when out on a


walk in the countryside, the same applies to home, there are online lists available to talk through which plants are poisonous, and there may also be advice given when the plant is bought.


Ponds and pools There are stories of children who drown in the garden every year, and babies and toddlers can drown in


BURG-WÄCHTER RENEWS ITS SECURE COMMUNITIES SCHEME


Security specialist Burg-Wächter UK has re-launched its ‘Secure Communities Scheme’, which gives regional community leaders and volunteers the chance to win a security kit worth up to £200 for their organisation. Any regional initiative that is run by or supports the local community can apply. Burg-Wächter launched the scheme in recognition of the fact that people around the country who are doing their bit for their community should not have to worry about the security of their premises, equipment or storage areas. The company’s Secure Communities Scheme is its way of saying thank you to community leaders for supporting people in their area. The type of project or organisation that the scheme is open to is very wide-ranging. It could be a scouts group; a local sports group like a cycling or football club; a school after-hours club; a hospital or healthcare community programme; a provider of events for


18 DIY WEEK JUNE 2022


children or OAPs; a facilitator of village activity; or a town/village charity. As long as the initiative is run by or supports the local community, and it has a specific security need Burg-Wächter would like to hear about it. Successful applicants will each receive a tailored security kit to help secure property, premises, equipment or storage areas to the value of £150 - £200 at retail price. The Secure Communities Scheme is an ongoing initiative, which has already helped nearly 100 regional causes through the provision of over 2,000 pieces of security equipment.


• For further details of the scheme and rules of entry head to www.burg.biz/uk/community


as little as five centimetres of water. Children need to be supervised around water at all times, and where possible, it is sensible to drain water from a paddling pool once used.


Barbecues Barbecues remain hot long after use, so it is essential to keep children away from them during cooking and after eating as the coals and grills cool down. Flames and red hot coals entice children, but charcoal can also retain its heat long after extinguishing a fire.


Gardening tools Young children may see sharp tools such as shears and spades as exciting playthings, but they are dangerous in the wrong hands. Children should be supervised outdoors when gardening occurs, and stray tools should be locked away in the shed or outhouse.


Chemicals


Essential outdoor products such as antifreeze for the car and plant fertiliser for the lawn are often stored in the garage of the shed. These must be kept out of the reach of young hands at all times, which might otherwise see these items as enticing and want to explore them. Always keep these products clearly labelled as well.


www.diyweek.net


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52