Gardening is a wonderful warm weather activity for kids and adults to enjoy together. Your child can learn valuable life-long lessons and gain a sense of accomplishment, all while having fun and playing in the dirt. However, some aspects of gardening can be very dangerous. These dangers can be minimized, and some can even be eliminated, by following a few safety tips.
- Eating vegetables right off the plant is one of the true joys of gardening. However, you must teach your child to ask first. Some parts of certain plants are poisonous, and other plants can make you sick if they are not fully ripened. There is also the need to rinse any chemicals and fertilizers off of the vegetables before eating them.
- Garden tools can cause injuries, so teach your children to use them with caution, and always store them properly. You can even buy children’s versions of many garden tools so they can get some practice before handling sharper tools.
- Garden chemical and kids do not mix. Period. Keep the chemicals stored safely and do not let your children participate or be in the area when you are applying them. For many chemicals, they will need to stay out of the garden for 24 hours after application.
- Make sure your kids wash their hands after working and playing in the garden, to remove any chemical residues and residues from natural fertilizers.
- Only use stakes that are taller than your child. When the plants grow and hide the stakes, they pose a serious hazard of eye injury and impalement.
- Don’t forget sun and heat protection. Sunscreen, UV protective sunglasses, and a hat can help protect your child from sunburn. If you spend long periods of time in the garden, remind your child to drink water regularly.
- Be prepared for bee stings. Bees and other stinging bugs love gardens, so have your supplies on-hand before your get started. If your child is not allergic, a simple baking soda paste will draw out the poison and relieve stinging and itching.
