A Safe Garden for Children

For young children, the garden is a favorite place for exploration and carefree play. Splashing around, running wild, snacking on fruit—these are the things all children love to do in the summer. But whether in your own garden or at the park around the corner: There can be some hidden dangers when playing outdoors that are often underestimated: poisonous plants, unsecured water sources, or a hot grill. These 12 tips will help you identify potential hazards so you can protect your child from injuries and poisoning.

Some popular garden plants are poisonous to children. These include, among others, laburnum, lily of the valley, autumn crocus, foxglove, belladonna, yew, spindle tree, angel’s trumpet, and monkshood. The flowers and colorful berries, in particular, tempt young children to touch or taste them. It’s important to know that the risk of poisoning depends on the amount ingested relative to body weight, which is why young children are especially at risk.

Therefore, check the plants in your garden and remove any poisonous species while your children are still young. Also, teach your children—in an age-appropriate way—which fruits and plants can be dangerous. When out and about, it’s best to let your child come into contact only with plants that you know are safe. 

In the event of poisoning, the following applies:

• Stay calm
• Remove any plant parts from the mouth and save them for identification
• Call an emergency doctor or the poison control center
• Do not induce vomiting

Water has a magical appeal for children. That’s what makes it so dangerous, because even a few centimeters of water can be life-threatening for toddlers. That’s why you should surround garden ponds with a fence or cover them with a slip-resistant grate. Rain barrels should have a lid that children cannot lift. Paddling pools and swimming pools require special supervision: Never leave children unattended near them!

In public parks, keep an eye out for fountains or unsecured water sources nearby. For very young children, even shallow water—such as in puddles—can pose a danger.

Many tools are typically used in the garden. Large tools in particular—such as loppers, saws, lawn mowers, electric hedge trimmers, and wood chippers—pose a serious danger to children. Do not leave these tools lying around. They must be securely locked away after use. Also, do not leave tools such as hand shears or rakes unattended; after use, store them out of children’s reach in the shed, basement, or garage.

Just as you would indoors, outdoor outlets should also be equipped with child safety covers. You should also protect the outlets with a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). Remove extension cords and power cords immediately after use.

Especially when children are still young, it makes sense to fence in the yard. A fence prevents children from running out into the street unnoticed and also protects against uninvited guests. You should avoid sharp edges and pointed ends when installing the fence. The garden gate should close automatically and be lockable.

Most children love climbing trees. It helps develop motor skills, courage, self-confidence, and a connection to nature. But it’s not without risk:

• Are the branches sturdy enough?  
• How high is it safe to climb?  
• Does the child know their limits?  
• Is the child wearing sturdy shoes?

Agree on important rules with your child: Sturdy footwear is required. When climbing, scarves or clothing with cords, ribbons, or similar items must not be worn. You should check the climbing trees in advance for rotten branches. Above all, do not let younger children climb without supervision.

Fertilizers, pesticides, and other garden chemicals are very dangerous for children. Store all packaging and containers in a locked cabinet or shed, out of children’s reach. Natural alternatives are much better than chemical pesticides, but be careful: this does not automatically mean that they are completely safe. Always follow the safety and dosage instructions, even for plant-based products.

Barbecue evenings with friends or a small campfire at the fire pit are popular leisure activities during the warm summer months. Make sure children don’t get burned. A portable safety guard around the grill creates a clear safety zone. Children should also keep their distance after barbecuing until everything has cooled down completely. Store lighters and fire starters out of children’s reach. Candles, lanterns, and torches should be placed so that children cannot injure themselves or knock them over.

Swings, climbing frames, slides, and trampolines are among the most popular pieces of playground equipment for the yard. When purchasing, it’s worth looking for recognized safety certifications, such as the GS mark or TÜV certifications, which confirm quality and safety. When setting up play equipment, anchor it securely into the ground. Check regularly to make sure nothing is wobbling or loose. Screws must be tight, wooden play equipment must not have any splinters, and moving parts should function properly.  

Also important: Regularly adjust the equipment to suit your child’s age and developmental stage.

To prevent your child from accidentally falling into a basement light well, you should cover the wells with sturdy safety grates that can support your child's weight. Also be mindful of similar depressions in the yard, such as open rainwater drains or unsecured pits.

Young children have particularly sensitive skin. Every sunburn has long-term consequences for skin health. If possible, provide shade for the area where children like to spend the most time—for example, the sandbox.  

Remember to apply sunscreen with a high SPF before playing outdoors. A lightweight long-sleeved T-shirt and a sun hat also help protect against sunburn. For more tips on how to protect yourself and your family from sunburn, heatstroke, and sunstroke during the summer, see our article Exercising in the Heat.

The garden is a wonderful habitat for many animals and insects. However, stings from wasps, bees, and ticks can be dangerous. Check regularly to see if wasps or bees are building a nest in your garden or on your house, and if so, cordon off a wide area around the site.

Sweet foods and drinks are particularly attractive to wasps in midsummer. Therefore, when spending time outdoors, always cover glasses and cups, do not leave water bottles or sippy cups without lids, and do not drink from straws. 

If you are stung by a wasp or bee, carefully remove the stinger if possible and cool the area immediately. If you are stung near your eye, you should seek medical attention. If you suspect a sting in the mouth or throat, it’s best to call 112 immediately. As a first-aid measure, sucking on ice can help cool the area—but do not give milk-based ice cream, as the lactose it contains promotes mucus production, which can make breathing even more difficult. 

Symptoms such as shortness of breath, dizziness, circulatory problems, or a swelling throat can be signs of anaphylactic shock: In this case, call 112 immediately.

Check your child for ticks after every time they’ve been outside. Long pants and closed-toe shoes provide additional protection. You can find more information on tick protection here on our Familienportal.NRW website.