Chapter Contents
Sheds, Garages and other Outbuildings
Children must not have unrestricted access to these buildings, as they often contain equipment, tools and chemicals that pose a risk to young children.
Children’s access and the level of supervision you put in place will vary depending on the child’s individual risk factors. Discuss this with your supervising social worker. As a general rule, keep these buildings locked when not in use, and store the key out of reach of children. Supervise children when in these buildings, and store equipment, appliances, tools, and chemicals in lockable cupboards wherever possible.
Choose greenhouses and cold frames that are made with safety glass. If you have plate glass, apply a safety film over the top.
Appliances and Tools
Some appliances, equipment and tools can pose a risk to the user – or to unsupervised children. This includes things which are:
- serrated, sharp or pointed
- hot, cold or freezing
- heavy or awkward to use
- folding or unsteady
- self-locking
- mechanical, electrical or battery-powered
- gas, petrol or oil-powered or
- involve water and/or high pressure.
This includes appliances and tools commonly found in the garage and garden shed; leisure equipment such as trampolines, bicycles and fishing tackle.
Some items are hazardous for anyone to use without proper care and sometimes training is required for safe use of equipment. Children and young people would not usually have access to these items. They might, however, use common household tools and appliances under supervision as they grow and develop life skills. If a child or young person is helping you, or pursuing their own activity using tools or other equipment, make sure they know how to use them safely. Have a routine with them for tidying up and putting things away.
Supervise young children at all times in the garden. If they are helping you with gardening tasks, give them age/ability-appropriate tools and don’t let them use chemicals or help to mow the lawn.
Equipment and Furniture
Garden safety tips:
- Check that garden furniture is stable and in good condition.
- Ensure that railings and fences are not spiky and that wood is not splintering.
- Check that there are no items that could fall down onto a child e.g. loose tiles.
- Be aware that items such as stones could be used as a missile and use appropriate controls such as removal, supervision, etc.
- Keep the washing line away from play equipment and above the child’s head height.
- Cover rotary washing lines when they are not in use, or ideally put them away in a shed or garage.
- Position outdoor heating devices and barbecues on stable, level ground, away from children’s play areas. Children must be supervised in the garden when these devices are in use or still hot.
Ponds and Rivers
Garden ponds
If you have a garden pond, we will ask you to cover this with a rigid metal grille or fence it off to avoid unsupervised access by children. Please read this pond advice provided by RoSPA:
Children should always be supervised when by the pond, e.g. watching the fish.
Rivers, lakes and streams
If your garden has access to a river, stream or lake, we will discuss this with you during your home health and safety assessment. It is important that children cannot access the water without appropriate adult supervision. Depending on the location of the water, you may need fencing or a gate to ensure that children cannot access the water unsupervised. Children should not be at the water’s edge without an adult, and should not go into water (e.g. for pond or stream dipping without an adult).
Rivers and lakes can be dangerous places to swim. The depth of the water can be difficult to assess, it is cold and there may be hidden hazards under the water, including discarded refuse and reeds/plants. There may also be undercurrents that pose a risk, even to children who can swim. Children should only enter rivers and lakes as part of organised water sports, with appropriately trained adult supervisors. They should be wearing the appropriate clothing and safety equipment for the activity.
