How to Make a Playhouse Safe

Whether building a child's playhouse from scratch or from a kit, the objective is the same. Make it safe and make it fun! Check out the list below for ways to make your child's playhouse safe.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. MADE IN THE SHADE. Children are especially prone to overheating. If possible, place the playhouse in the shade.

2. BRANCH OFF. Children love to hang from branches. Stifle the temptation to climb onto the playhouse roof by trimming or lopping off low-hanging tree branches.

3. ROUND OFF. When kids are playing, they don't always watch where they're going. Install corner guards to sharp edges to avoid mishaps.

4. SPLINTER OFF. Sand down surfaces smooth and cut down the possibilities of splinters to little hands and feet.

5. DERAILED. Make sure railings are high enough so there are no accidental fall-overs, especially if it's off the ground. Spindles should be close enough together (2-4 inches) to avoid entrapment.

6. POKE AROUND. Remove or trim back nearby thorny and eye poking shrubs.

7. UNDER THE WIRE. Kids may not know the difference between a rope and an electric wire. Hide or tack up out of reach.

8. SEE FIT. Inspect the playhouse regularly for loose hardware, boards and peeling paint.

9. AT CLOSE RANGE. Place the playhouse close enough to the house where adult supervision is more likely.

10. CHECK IT OUT. Consult local building codes and home associations before building the playhouse. What a shame (and devastating to your child) it would be if you had to rip it down because it wasn't up to code.

[kristara]

on 7/12/2009 Great playhouse safety tips! 5*