You expect to make minor changes when you purchase a new home. The past owners would have had it how they liked it, but their needs are not always the same as your own. For many, a pet and child-friendly yard is one of the most important upgrades. If the previous owner never had pets or young children, they likely didn’t make a secure yard their priority.
Creating a pet and child-friendly yard might seem challenging when you’re not working with a blank slate. However, you might be on the path to a yard you can be proud of when you take the following actions:
Build a Fence
A fence is undoubtedly the first step toward a safer and more secure property. As long as you practice good fence etiquette for the sake of your neighbors before you start building, you’re bound to be happy with the results.
Choose fencing materials that will be easy-care and still aesthetically pleasing, such as wood, iron, and vinyl. If money is not a factor, you might even explore more robust materials to suit your home’s style, like brick, concrete, and stone.
If you aren’t replacing a fence already in place, refer to your home’s survey report to learn your boundary lines. You can then be sure you’re building on your own property. If your budget doesn’t allow you to build a fence immediately, you might be able to provide at least a small amount of security for pets with an invisible dog fence.
Create a Secure Area
Not all homeowners can afford to fence their entire yard. They might even encounter issues with their neighbors that prevent them from doing so. Your pets and children deserve a safe and secure yard, so get creative.
Create a secure area within your yard where they can play safely to their heart’s content. This might involve creating a smaller fenced area accessible from one of your home’s entry points. Away from the road and in a private part of your yard can be preferable.
Remove Hazards
Everyday things can be hazards for pets and children. Examine your new yard with a fine-tooth comb to identify and take care of anything potentially hazardous. For example, you might start by removing any plants and weeds that are hazardous to pets and replacing them with safer varieties.
Other backyard hazards can include barbeque grills, tools, chemicals, and structures painted with lead paint. If you have a swimming pool, make a safe cover and a fence your primary focus. Until you can install these, drain the pool and ensure your pets and children aren’t left unattended.
Create Non-Slip Surfaces
Children love playing outside, and most play activities involve at least a small amount of running. While you can’t prevent all accidents, ensuring all surfaces are non-slip might reduce the risk. Waterblast pathways that don’t see much sun and replace traditional patio tiles with those featuring non-slip technology. If some pathways or walkways are prone to moss and mold, talk to your local garden store about the best and safest products to eradicate it.
Build a Lockable Tool Shed
Children and pets can be curious. This curiosity can be dangerous if you’ve got tools, equipment, chemicals, and gardening products in unsecured parts of your property. Ensure the safety of your pets and children by building a lockable tool shed. Here, you can store anything dangerous away from curious critters and children, like fertilizer, chainsaws, and lawnmowers.
Set Up Security Cameras
Security cameras are important for home security, but they can also be helpful if you have pets and children and want to keep an eye on them at all times. As most parents know, young children should never be left unattended, but security cameras with motion detection can be an additional layer of protection.
You might even find that security cameras are helpful when you want to check on your pets when you’re not home. You can ensure they’re happy, healthy, and not digging holes in your lawn!
Add Shady Spots
Depending on where you live, summer temperatures can skyrocket. While you might want your pets and children to play outside, you don’t want them exposed to harmful UV rays. In that case, creating a shady area for them to enjoy the warmer weather can be crucial.
Planting trees can be an excellent place to start. However, trees can take several years to become well-established. In the meantime, invest in gazebos, large patio umbrellas, awnings, or outdoor curtains that might provide relief from the elements. A shady area in your yard can also prove helpful whenever you feel like entertaining friends and family members in your outdoor oasis.
Creating a pet and child-friendly yard may not seem easy, but it can be if you prioritize tasks by their importance. Start with fencing, and you can be on your way to a much safer property in no time.
