If you have young children, toddlers, babies or one on the way then you should look at making your patio area child friendly.

Most new parents child proof the interior of the home (baby gates, baby proof locks and power point plugs) but quite often forget the outside areas of the home.  The patio area can have many hidden dangers for young children and should be given as much attention as the interior of the home.  Once the patio is child friendly it will make a lovely outside play area for your little ones.

Patio dangers to address:

• When wet, the patio area may become very slippery and this increases the risk of falling, slipping or sliding.
• The spaces in the railing may be too large. If this is the case then your child may squeeze through and fall or become stuck between the railing gaps. Toys can also fall through the gaps and older children may attempt to climb over the recover the lost toy.
• Patios often have hard and angular surfaces. If a child’s head connects with a sharp corner it can be quite painful and lead to trip to the hospital.
• Ensure there is shade in the patio area you choose for children to play. The last thing you need is sunburn and sunstroke from a day of playing. Getting a patio roof can help with that.
• Some plants can be poisonous if ingested or touched, others are painful like thorns on roses or cactus prickles.
• Stairs downstairs or gates that can be opened by children are also dangerous. You don’t want your children being able to escape the safety of the patio area. They could fall down the stairs, or wander out onto the road or down the street.

Making the patio area safe for children:

• Consider the use of non-slip materials (mix sand with paint to make non-slip paint for floor). Rubber floor matts, play matts and rugs can provide grip and offer a soft landing in the case of falls. Another great option is the addition of artificial grass on the patio.
• Make the rail gaps safe (especially elevated patios). This is a simple task just by the addition of plexiglass, acrylic sheets or child proof netting to the railings. You can also be creative and add white board or chalk boards in sections to added fun for the children. Remove (or secure) any items or furniture that children could use for climbing over the rails.
• Soften hard edges. It is easy to wrap angular posts in foam or pool noodles if they are situated where a child is likely to connect with them. This will may any potential impacts less serious.
• Add plenty of shade. The Queensland sun is unforgiving. Consider insulated roof panels, retractable awnings or roll up screens to control the sun/shade ratio on the patio.
• Plants are a lovely addition to the patio. Avoid poisonous and spiky or prickly plants. Some great child friendly plants include: growing herbs and vegetables that can be picked for cooking (like cherry tomatoes and rosemary), bright flowers (like sunflowers, marigolds and daisies) and succulents.
• Add safety gates to all exits on the patio (self closing pool gates are great or outdoor child safety gates). This will stop your little Houdini’s escaping or tumbling down the stairs.
• Designate patio play zones. Create play spaces that keep the children distracted from potentially hazardous areas. Play zones could include: cubby house, sand/water box, play kitchen and garden bed.

Diamond Patios are here to help

The team at Diamond Patios can help design your child-friendly patio area and bring that vision to life.

Our Patio roofing options can bring shade in the height of summer while letting in the sun in winter.

At Diamond Patios we only use quality products and offer expert advice, this gives you complete peace of mind.

Get an obligation-free quote using our patio roof calculator for an estimate, or Get in touch with the team at Diamond Patios to talk about your carport plans.