Australian’s are known for their love of the outdoors and getting together for a “barbie”. However, care needs to ensure safe storage and use of the barbeque to keep your family safe.

• Flammable liquids should never be used to light any fire.
• Keep matches and lighters out of children’s reach.
• Always watch children near barbecues and open fires and dress them in low fire-risk clothing.
• If the barbeque uses gas, always turn off the gas and disconnect the bottle when not in use.
• Check that barbeques are stable. If moveable, put away when not in use.
• Ensure that the correct type of fire extinguisher is kept close by.

Dogs can make wonderful pets, however we need to take special care with our pets and young children. Any dog has the potential to attack, however most of the time it is not the dog’s fault; a child can upset a dog without intending to.

• Always supervise children around dogs.
• Teach children how to safely interact with animals.
• Never approach an unfamiliar dog.
• Never run from a dog and scream.
• Do not look a dog in the eye.
• Do not disturb a dog that is sleeping, eating or caring for puppies.
• Do not pat a dog without allowing it to see you and sniff you first.
• Never play with a dog unless supervised by an adult.
• Stay still when an unfamiliar dog comes up to you (‘Be still like a tree’).
• If knocked over by a dog, roll into a ball and lie still.
• Creating an area in the backyard that can separate children from dogs if needed.
• Remember that dog water bowls can be a drowning hazard for young children.

The backyard contains items such as chemicals, poisons, garden materials, tools and machinery which can be dangerous for young children. Many of these can be found in the garage, or backyard shed. These items must be locked away securely to prevent children from accessing them.

• Garages doors should be closed at all times to prevent children from being able to access the front yard and roadway through them
• Ensure automatic garage doors have the operating switch well out of reach of children
• Sheds and garages should be fitted with a lock that young children are unable to open. This lock should be used at all times
• Ensure that poisons such as chemicals, fertilizers, paints and other dangerous products are stored locked away in their original containers
• All gardening equipment should be returned to the shed or garage immediately after use
• Keep the toolbox out of reach, the workbench clear and keep caps and lids on all containers
• Keep children separated from work activity
• Never leave motors of any kind switched on and unsupervised when children are around. This includes lawn mowers, gardening equipment, power tools and other electrical equipment.

The majority of child swimming pool drownings occur in the child’s own backyard. In seventy five percent (75%) of cases, these drownings could have been prevented had isolation fencing and functioning gates been in place. From 17 December 2006, all owners of pools and spas installed before 1 July 1992 were required to upgrade their pool and spa barriers to ensure it complies with the post 1 July 1992 standard for pool barriers. Your local council is responsible for enforcing these requirements.

• Fences, gates, doors and windows used as barriers to swimming pools must comply with Australian Standard AS1926.1.
• Gates must always open away from the swimming pool.
• Once a fence and self-closing, self-latching gate are installed, they must be kept in good working order.
• Check that your gate latches are working properly.
• Remove anything that could help a child climb over a fence.
• Always shut gate and never prop it open.
• Outdoor spas need to be fenced the same as swimming pools.

All backyards for children should include play equipment to assist with their cognitive development, motor skills, and to provide them with fun and exercise. Careful consideration is needed when planning play areas to ensure they do not become the cause of serious injury.

• Use equipment that complies with the Australian Standards
• Make sure play areas are separated from driveways and water hazards, and that children are visible from inside the house
• Provide shade over play equipment and sandpits to protect children from harmful UV rays
• Make sure play equipment is stable, has no jutting edges, splinters or pieces that can come loose.
• Regularly check play equipment for wear and tear
• Locate all play equipment away from paths, solid garden edgings fences and other objects to give a 2.5m fall zone
• Play equipment should be placed over a soft fall surface of at least 300mm deep
• Trampolines are fun but also the cause of many injuries. If you choose to have one they should comply with Australian Standard AS4989.
• Set Rules and Always supervise your child

Some plants are poisonous, either by touch or by ingestion. Many other garden plants – even if not poisonous – would have very unpleasant side effects if they were eaten. Poisonous plants are usually only a problem for young children, especially toddlers, because they like to put things in their mouths.

• Make sure all plants are accurately identified.
• Check that the plants are not poisonous. Ask your local nursery for advice.
• Keep poisonous plants out of children’s reach. Either remove them from the garden or securely fence the area off.
• Regularly check that no new plants have begun to grow in your backyard – seeds can be transported via wind, animals and humans.
• Do not assume a plant is not poisonous because birds or other wildlife can eat it.
• Teach children never to put leaves, stems, seeds, nuts, or berries from any plant into their mouth.
• Keep the Poisons Information Centre phone number next to your house phone, or in your mobile phone. Ph: 13 11 26

Drowning is the most common cause of accidental death in Australian children aged between 0-4 years. Supervision and secure fencing increases child safety in backyards that have a pool. However, these aspects do not guarantee that children will not get into difficulty in the water.

• Have a resuscitation chart fixed inside the pool area, to assist in the administration of CPR if required.
• Ensure that family members all know where this sign is, how to follow the instructions, and where a first aid kit can be found.
• Ensure suction points in pools and spas are protected.

Even the best designed yards can be hazardous if not regularly inspected and maintained.

• Cut off sharp branches that hang at the child’s eye level.
• Use non-slip surfaces for walkways and ensure they are cleared of obstructions, such as toys and garden tools.
• Steps and stairs should be broad and shallow with a non-slip surface.
• Garden ponds should be covered with mesh that is strong enough to hold the weight of a young child, and should be high enough above the surface of the water to keep their face out of the water.
• Empty paddling pools immediately after use and store upright.
• After heavy rain, check your yard and empty any water that collects in containers.
• Whenever in the yard, have a quick look to ensure that no areas need attention. If there are, do not delay maintenance.