The American backyard is growing. Almost a quarter of homeowners spend between $1,001 and $5,000 on any outdoor project. A similar proportion of households invest over $30,001 in upgrading their backyard. It is fair to mention that gardening design projects, such as landscaping tend to fall within the lower price range. On the other hand, the addition of a large water feature, for instance, is more likely to come with a higher price tag.
Yet the more we develop and build a backyard that can increase the value of our homes, the more we could put ourselves and those we love at risk. Indeed, as backyards are growing back in popularity, they have been associated with casualties and incidents in recent years. Does it mean your backyard isn’t worth the investment? Of course not. But if you are going to elevate your garden, you need to be aware of some of the most commonly overlooked safety concerns.
#1. Unsafe homegrown food
The trend for growing your own food was already big. But the pandemic has encouraged more households to explore homegrown food. A vegetable garden ensures you get full control over the origin of your food. Therefore food safety is one of the most commonly cited reasons why people start planting vegetables in their backyard. Yet, it isn’t a reality. Indeed, home-growers can also experience food-borne illnesses. While it’s hard to imagine contamination on a small scale, most households fail to understand the risks. Where could diseases come from? Most people focus on chemical contamination and assume that pesticides are the only danger that can affect plants. In reality, the soil in which you grow your plants, the compost you use, the quality of the water, and the presence of animal feces can spread diseases. Most amateur gardeners don’t know how to keep their gardening space and equipment clean either, introducing potential bacteria and germs. Therefore, it’s essential to introduce strict cleaning and gardening rules inside your home!
#2. A DIY pot at home
With the rise of interest in craft art, more and more homeowners are upgrading the decor with homemade additions. While not everyone has the same DIY skills and tools, more people feel confident with simple projects that upcycling existing containers or structures into something new and unexpected. You could turn the old garden bucket, for example, into a rustic and quirky herb pot. This could be the perfect addition to a cottage-style household or an industrial interior. However, if you’re going to introduce outdoor items into your interior, you need to make sure you check them thoroughly for potential bugs and other insects. You could find yourself accidentally bringing ants or silverfish inside your home. These are quick to make themselves at home. Within a few days, they’ll have moved into your kitchen cupboards! While you can follow online tutorials to find out how to kill silverfish or ants, you could avoid the issue altogether by cleaning and disinfecting your craft kit.
#3. Elegant low fencing
Fences are useful. They protect your home and prevent accidental trespassing. However, a high fence can also present significant disadvantages by blocking natural sunlight throughout the day. Therefore, a lot of homeowners are looking for low dancing options that can circle the property without obscuring the sun. There is no easy solution. A high fence protects your privacy. On the other hand, a low fence can make you more vulnerable to burglaries as criminals can observe both your assets and your routine. Experts recommend the addition of a visible security camera in your property. This can deter burglars while ensuring your home is bright and clear. When it comes to privacy, a reflective finish on your windows will guarantee that nobody can see inside your home. Paired with electric blinds, you can regain control of what you show your neighbors.
#4. A small body of water
Ponds and other water features are always a neat and stylish addition to the garden. If you live in a warmer climate, you can also add an outdoor pool to make the most of your backyard. Every year, US parents mourn the death of over 350 children under the age of five who drown in pools during the summer months. Most incidents occur in the backyard. As such, if you decide to install a water feature into your garden, you want to ensure that the area is constantly monitored if you have young children or pets. Pools and artificial ponds can also use solid cover for safety. Some cover sheets can sustain the weight of a small child or pet, which can make all the difference.
#5. Toxic plants for your pet
Can there be anything more appealing than a beautiful backyard garden? If you’ve spent a lot of time selecting plants that are suitable for your soil and gardening skills, you might have forgotten one essential fact. Pet owners need to consider plants that are safe in case they were to be accidentally ingested. Some of your favorite plants may be toxic to your pet. Foxgloves and iris are poisonous to dogs. If you are unsure about risks, you can ask your local garden center for advice. There are also many online guides for pet owners that provide plenty of tips and tricks to avoid toxic plants. A dog that’s chewed a toxic plant could develop a severe reaction, such as vomiting, or being lethargic. Diarrhea, nausea, foaming saliva are some of the more common signs. In case of doubt, you don’t want to waste a second and take your pet to the vet.
#6. Hard and compact soil
Depending on where you live, the soil in your backyard could be compact. This could be caused by the absence of nutrients in the soil, for instance. Hot climates also experience extreme dryness, which could compact the soil as the moisture escapes in the sun. Finally, if your backyard used to be underneath a structure, such as a former extension or a garage, the pressure would have compacted the ground. When this happens, you need to gradually turn the soil and introduce moisture until your backyard can behave naturally in the presence of water. It’s important to actively aerate the soil. Otherwise, it won’t be able to evacuate rainwater properly. The water stagnates on compact soil and can infiltrate through the foundations of the house.
#7. Learning to live with necessary pests
Nobody likes things that buzz hanging around in the garden. Bees and wasps play a crucial role in the environment. However, they are not fun to have around kids and pets. Unfortunately, even the most attentive homeowners are likely to miss the presence of nests in hidden spots. It’s not uncommon to discover a bee nest inside the garden shed at the end of winter, for example. Approximately 1 to 3% of the US population can experience a severe allergic reaction to bees and wasps and can go into anaphylaxis shock. Overall, around 7% of the population can experience an allergic reaction to bee stings. How do you know if you or your family have a risk of being allergic to backyard insects? Someone who already has existing allergies is more likely to react badly to a sting. But, in reality, allergies can appear unexpectedly.
However, despite the danger that bees represent, experts recommend reaching out to beekeepers if you spot a nest in your backyard. These will proceed to the safe removal without hurting the bees.
#8. The BBQ party
As the summer is getting warmer, you may be thinking of planning your next BBQ party in the backyard. A DIY fire pit and BBQ are some of the favorite garden improvements that homeowners make. However, your grill party could turn out to be more dangerous than you expect. Every year, authorities estimate that grill fires in residential properties cause approximately $37 million in damage and loss. Almost one-third of all grill fires are caused during a BBQ party as they occur on terraces, courtyards, and patios. One- and two-family dwelling properties are the most commonly affected by fire incidents.
#9. The contaminated pond water
We’ve already mentioned the risk of keeping an open body of water in your backyard. However, even if you are confident that your children and pets can swim safely outside of the pool or pond, stagnant water can still represent a health risk. Ponds especially and natural pools are more likely to contain large quantities of harmful bacteria and parasites that can be accidentally ingested. Ponds could be contaminated with E. coli bacteria or cryptosporidium (a parasite that lives in your intestinal tracts) and lead to severe health consequences.
#10. Lawnmower accidents
Are lawn mowers dangerous? Every year, over 9,000 children need to go to the emergency room as a result of a lawnmower injury. Injuries tend to focus on hands and fingers. However, large devices can also cause wounds on the legs and feet. It’s fair to say that homeowners should remain alert when they use a lawnmower.
Final Thoughts
The backyard should be a peaceful and relaxing place. But if you’re going to make it a safe and happy haven, you need to take preventive measures to protect your family. From lawnmowers to law fences, your backyard could expose you to a surprising amount of risks!
