Everybody loves hanging out in the back yard, especially during the summer. Fresh air, the smell of BBQ, kids running around and having fun.
What they don’t tell you though is that pretty much everything in your back yard is dangerous, so you should probably get on fixing that.
Dangerous Grill Location
The best way to catch things on fire other than directly torching things is to have your grill way too close to other objects. We’re talking low hanging trees, or a dry deck. These are the leading cause of BBQ related fires, believe it or not.
Solution: Make sure your grill isn’t anywhere near that stuff. In fact, put it in a 10 foot clearing from those things. It might not look as nice, but it’ll look nicer than a charred house.
Toxic Plants
“More than 68,000 people a year are poisoned by plants, reports the American Association of Poison Control Centers.”
Even though most of those people just get sick and have an upset stomach, that’s more than enough reason to take some precautions.
Solution: Do some research before you landscape. There isn’t much you can do about natural plants (except be able to identify and stay clear), so just put a little more effort into what you’re doing to make things look pretty so you don’t accidentally poison the family dog!
Water
More specifically, tiny little gross pool breeding grounds for mosquitos. Mosquitos are the worst, there is no denying that. The general rule is that no matter how small, if there is standing water, mosquitos are getting freaky in it.
Solution: Stay vigilant. Do a weekly check to make sure buckets are poured out and that tarps are drained after rain. Trust us, you don’t want West Nile — or to be scratching all night!
Not Fully Extinguished Charcoal
Did you know that charcoal can be cool to the touch but still be a raging harbinger of fire-y destruction on the inside? It’s true!
That shizz can start a fire.
Solution: Soak the coals in cold water after dinner, then dispose of them in a metal, non-flammable container.
Unfenced Pool
A lot of drownings happen near the home. Even if your kids are wise, neighbor kids and animals might not be.
Solution: Fence it. Lives are at risk.
Pesticide Residue
We hate pests as much as the next person. But we don’t hate them to the point where we’re going to skip steps and misuse pesticides that could make us and others sick!
Solution: Go Au Naturale — install birdhouses to attract birds that will eat the bugs, plant plants that are anti-bug and attract bugs that take out other pests.
Your Deck
Are you taking care of your deck?
If you aren’t weather proofing, the materials used could warp and shift creating tripping hazards.
Solution: Inspections every spring, and weather proof that shizz. Better that than a broken neck, guys.
Ladders
If your ladder is too short, don’t use it for tall things. Common sense.
Over-reaching is very dangerous. It can cause pulled muscles, and potentially lead to a fatal fall.
Solution: Get a different ladder. Don’t choose the smaller one because it’s easier to carry. That’s stupid.
We’re sure these aren’t the only dangerous things in your yard, but they seem to cover some of the major ones. What’s awesome about this list, though, is that each one has a very simple solution. We’d all be crazy if we didn’t fix these issues before they become horrible!
[Image via AP Images.]