Yard and Garden Review

A sandbox is a place to entertain children in an outdoor environment.  They can play trucks, make castles, pretend to have their own garden or just fill up empty buckets and bottles.

 A sandbox can seem relatively safe, but there are precautions that you can take to ensure a hazard free and safe environment for children to play in.  Keeping your children safe is always a top priority.   Review the following tips for an enjoyable sandbox playtime:

•  Use sterilized sand or a safe-play material specifically marked for use in a sandbox.
• Keep the sandbox covered when not is use to prevent contamination.  Make sure the cover fits tight enough that children and/or animals cannot get underneath of it.
• Make sure that the sandbox has a effective drainage system that will not create a safety hazard for children.
• Before each use, inspect the sandbox for contamination and safety hazards.  Examples of things to look for are sharp objects, animal feces and insects.  Use a rake to uncover unwanteds concealed in the sand.
• Do not sterilize sand with chemicals while in the sandbox.  The chemicals can leave a residue that may harm children. 
• Use a windbreak to protect children from blowing sand if you live in a windy area.  Effective windbreaks are fences, bushes or trees.
• If the sandbox is made of wood materials, inspect the frame for rough areas that may cause splinters.  If splinters is a concern, look for a sandbox constructed with composite timbers made of recycled materials.
• Replace the sand every two years or sooner as needed.

Using these tips, your sandbox will be a safe place for your children.  Let their imaginations be creative and their energy used!