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Your backyard can be the backdrop for fun activities all year long. That means safety should be top of mind during all times. Just as you take steps to protect your children inside your house, you must be cautious of the dangers outside as well.

The first step to keeping your backyard safe is to assess your fence. Fences help protect children from danger, keeping toddlers out of swimming pools or hot tubs or keeping them in the yard, away from busy traffic or strangers. Fences also can help keep your own pets in your yard, and other animals out. They can reduce your liability by preventing injuries to uninvited guests on your property, or injury caused by escaped pets.

“In our research, we found that when homeowners consider their fencing needs, rusty metal gate hardware that no longer functions properly or becomes a threat to children was their top concern. Rust-free and adjustable gate hardware is the simple solution,” said Jim Paterson, senior vice president of D&D Technologies, which manufactures gate latches and hinges made of ultra-strong engineering polymers.

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Ground settling and other factors can cause a gate to become misaligned over time and not function properly. It’s important to have gate hardware that can easily be adjusted to overcome this. TruClose self-closing, tension adjustable hinges are an ideal solution. Combined with D&D adjustable, locking gate latches will ensure your gate will always function properly.

In addition to checking your fence and gate hardware, consider these backyard safety steps for your home:

• Tighten and cover any protruding bolts on swing sets and do not attach ropes or cords, which could become strangulation hazards.

• Remove old tree stumps and rocks. Level concrete footings to avoid tripping.

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• Seal wooded features such as decks, swing sets and picnic tables.

• Fence in pool and spa areas and ensure your gate is self-closing and self-latching with TruClose hinges and Magnalatch Safety Gate Latch to ensure latches are out of the reach of children.

• Eliminate access to lawn equipment and chemicals. Put these items completely out of the reach of children.

• Keep a first aid kit and a rescue kit on hand for any accident or injury.

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Your backyard can be one of the most exciting places for your children through the entire year. A little prevention along the way will keep it safe and provide wonderful memories for your family.

This article is courtesy of Brandpoint.