A deck can be extremely dangerous for a child and an accident can occur if safety is not a priority. Children can slip through railings, become stuck or even fall, all of which can easily be prevented with a few simple steps. If you want to enjoy your deck this summer, keep the following information in mind:
Check the railings to see how far apart they are and if you notice that they are wider than four inches, you will need to make some changes to prevent your child from being able to squeeze through. There are a number of things you can do regarding this matter, including covering your railings using plastic garden fencing, shade cloth or rigid sheets of tough material so that there’s zero risk of your child falling or squeezing through. Deck netting is another option you can consider and perfect for outdoor use and you can easily install shade cloth or garden fencing without any hassle. If you are worried that a mesh shade cloth will affect your backyard, do not worry because it will let in a surprising amount of light so your view will not be affected in any way. These materials can be secured to your railings with screws or plastic cord ties and must be installed correctly; otherwise, you may run into more problems. Using staples may seem like a good idea but in reality, they present a serious choking hazard, which is why you must avoid this idea.
If you’re not happy about having to cover your deck, then you can consider adding vertical slats or spindles, which is a great alternative. This will help fill in the gaps and is very appealing for railings made of wood because in addition to safety, you will also have a deck that is visually attractive.
Another important thing to do is to keep patio furniture away from the railings so that you eliminate the risk of your child climbing up over them and falling. Accidents can happen in a split second, so even if you think the chances of such a thing occurring are very low, it’s best to eliminate the possibility altogether. Making sure your deck is completely safe includes the stairs leading down, which need to be childproof so that they don’t present a danger. You can choose to build or buy a gate that matches your existing railings but you must ensure that the gates latching mechanism is childproof as well or that it’s placed high enough so that it’s out of reach.
The right steps will ensure your deck is safe so that you and your family can enjoy your outdoor space. TorOnCa services the Brampton, Milton, Vaughan and Mississauga areas and can help with all of your deck needs. We provide everything from installation to repairs, so if you want to elevate your backyard with a brand new deck, give us a call now!