Kids can (and will) pick up germs anywhere and everywhere. While you do your best to clean and disinfect the surfaces of your home that are touched the most, there are some places where contaminants and bacteria are a little harder to spot. Here are three unexpected places where dangers might be lurking around your kids and what you can do to keep them safe.
1. The Playground
Chances are you already know the dangers of lead paint, but your home isn’t the only place where lead dust can pose a health risk. Structures like playground equipment built before 1978 may have had lead paint on their exteriors. Lead paint can break down over time and contaminate the soil beneath the equipment even when the lead paint is removed from the structure itself. What’s more, according to WebMD, some types of rubber playground surfaces meant to protect kids from hard turf can also sometimes contain lead.
Over 300 children are treated to the ER every year for accidental poisoning. To prevent the risk of lead poisoning, consider having your local department of health have the soil around the playground equipment tested for lead. You can also reduce the risk of lead poisoning by having your child only play on playground equipment that uses wood chips rather than rubber surfaces.
2. The Backyard
If your backyard is looking a little worse for wear, it may be a good idea to give it a bit of a facelift. Backyards can be surprising sources of danger for your little ones. From mosquitoes and ticks lurking in the grass to tetanus from old nails and rusted landscaping equipment, your background houses more nightmares than you think.
The good news is that there are easy ways to reduce the risks these dangers pose. First, make sure that you’re cutting your grass regularly to keep ticks from finding homes in the tall grass. You can also keep mosquitoes at bay by lighting mosquito-repelling torches during the summer months. Keep any rusted or old materials out of the yard and stored away in the shed. It’s also a good idea to install a vinyl fence to keep your kids and pets protected from any unwelcome backyard guests — skunks are one of the highest carriers of rabies and getting sprayed is already one problem you don’t want to deal with.
3. Your Water
Many homes use water filtration systems to help keep unwanted contaminants out of their water. Contaminants such as chlorine, lead, and bacteria can make their way into your drinking water where it can make you and your family sick. Other potential contaminants that don’t pose a risk to your health but can be frustrating to deal with include calcium and magnesium.
These two minerals can cause dry skin, dingy hair, and shabby clothing because they make it difficult for soap to completely wash away. They can also pose a risk to your plumbing, causing blockages and leaks, which can waste up to 90 gallons of water per day. Water filters can help to keep contaminants and hard water at bay so you can keep your family hydrated with confidence. You can ask plumbers to inspect your pipes if they’ve been blocked and do regular drain cleaning.
It’s no secret that there are plenty of things that can impact your child’s health. Kids are curious and will put just about anything, from playdough to paint chips, into their mouths. Be sure to keep an eye on your little ones and to keep even unsuspecting areas clear of potential dangers.
