Deck Safety Essentials for Homes with Kids

A deck is a fantastic place to spend time with family and friends when the weather is nice. If you have children, however, it is vital to make sure that your deck is safe for them. When it comes to your kids, nothing can be considered too safe. Whether you are building a new deck or fixing up an existing one, you will want to make sure to follow some of these safety tips to ensure that your children can enjoy worry-free time on your deck.

Stairway Age

Young children seem to find a way to wander over to a staircase in the blink of an eye, so it is important to make sure that your deck’s staircase is blocked off. You can buy a standard child safety gate from a department store, or you can make your own. Many people like to use the same kind of wood as their deck for a nice uniform look. This can also come in handy for keeping pets in the yard if you don’t want them on the deck.

Railings

Having railings around your entire deck can do a lot to keep your children safe, especially if it raised off of the ground. Make sure that the railings and balusters are properly restored and regularly maintained. Age and weather can cause parts of the railing to come loose, so you should always check them yourself or have professionals come to assess the safety of your railings. You should also make sure that the spindles are placed the right distance
apart. Not so big that your children can fall through, but not to small that they can get caught in them.

Deck Netting

If you are worried about your child falling through the balusters, you can purchase mesh netting that can be attached to them. This will help ensure that your child will not go through the spindles or get stuck in them. It is easy to use and doesn’t look too intrusive.

Regular Maintenance

Wood decks take on a lot of wear and tear, especially in regions where the weather can get cold and wet. When the warm seasons begins, you should thoroughly check your deck for raised nails or rotted wood, both of which can lead to injury. If you can hammer the raised nails back, make sure to do so. If it seems that the wood is beyond repair, you should call and expert and listen to what they have to say. If you are required to replace parts of your
deck, it will be worth it to keep your child safe.