The saying goes that having a child is having your heart walk around outside your body. When you have kids, it is stressful to worry about their safety at all time, but also inevitable. Part of that worry is about knowing where they are, and part is wanting to know that where they are is not posing a danger. That is where your fence comes in.
While fences have many uses and people have various reasons for wanting one, fencing your yard when you have kids is a big reason. It is a great feature when you are selling your house since a fence will appeal to buyers with children. Most importantly, though, it is great for your children now. Here is why you need a fence based on each concern you may have, and what fence works best.
- A child-friendly fence should not have splinters. Often, as wooden fences age, the wood starts to break down. When that happens, it is can be easy for a child at play to get splinters from the fence. If you choose an aluminum, vinyl, or iron fence, it will not require as much maintenance as a wood fence and no need to worry about the possibility of splinters in little fingers.
- It is preferable for kids not to climb the fence; however, because most children love to climb, they are likely to give it a try. Remove the temptation by installing a fence with no handholds or footholds and moving anything near the fence that might enable them to climb onto it. If you have got a chain link fence, you can install privacy shields, weaving strips through the links for a more solid surface or using landscaping to prevent curious climbers.
- Durability is important when you are putting up a fence to protect kids. Again, some fences require more maintenance than others so choosing a sturdy, dependable fence material that does not need as much maintenance will give you peace of mind about the kid playing in the yard.
- It is important that children be protected, yet visible. You will want clear sightlines with any fence in which kids are playing, in case you ever find yourself on the other side of it. An iron fence, for example, is a great option that ticks a lot of these boxes: it is sturdy and dependable, hard to climb, yet can be seen through easily.
- A fence needs to be too tall for someone to reach over and grab a child. That may sound dramatic or scary, but it is every parent’s worst nightmare. Installing a fence that’s at least five feet tall will help prevent this from ever happening and pointed finials on top are an additional, optional security measure.
- The gate to a child-safe fence should latch easily and securely. You should also be able to see immediately that it is locked, so you can be sure no children will escape the bounds of the yard. The latch should also be high enough to prevent little ones from letting themselves out to explore without an adult.
- Fence pickets must be close together to contain kids. Remember, small children can easily slip through a gap too small to accommodate an adult.
If you are ready to install a fence that will keep your kids safe, you can trust Central Fence to get the job done right and stand behind our work. We are a locally owned and operated company with more than 50 years of experience and committed to providing fast and efficient work with a personalized feel. For more information or a free estimate, contact us through our website or call 800-221-6425!
