Backyard safety

Grills and fire pits 

• Keep your child away from a charcoal or gas grill that is in use. Teach your child not to touch or grab the grill. Keep all grilling supplies (lighter fluid, charcoal, gas, matches or lighter) in a cabinet out of your child's reach. If your child is playing outside after the cook-out, make sure the grill has cooled in case they bump into it.
• Keep your child at a safe distance from any fire pit or outdoor fireplace (chimney or pit style). Teach them the dangers of fire.

Lawn mower, garden chemicals and equipment

• Do not let your child be outside while the lawn is being mowed.
• Never let a child "help" push a gas or electric mower or ride on a riding mower.
• Turn off the mower if children enter the mowing area. If you use an electric lawn mower, make sure the cord is not stretched too far across the lawn to prevent a tripping accident.
• Put away ladders, tools, hedge trimmers, chain saws or any other home or lawn equipment when done with them.
• Keep all fertilizer, weed killers, gasoline, oil and other hazardous materials/chemicals locked out of your child's reach.

Miscellaneous

• Cover a sandbox when your child is not playing in it to prevent cat feces from getting mixed in with the sand.
• If you have a deck with steps, consider installing a child gate at the top and bottom of the stairs.
• Keep your child away from fireworks. Teach them the dangers and do not let them get too close.
• Teach your child not to crawl inside latch type freezers, refrigerators, clothes dryers, washer/dryer units, picnic coolers and ice boxes in campers. They may be attractive places to hide during a game of "hide and seek." Teach your child not to go into any of these, whether they are at your home, a neighbor's home, of if they are abandoned.