How To Your Sandbox should be kept safe and sanitary.
Sandboxes are fun for children.They pose a number of safety risks, including exposure to germs, scratches from foreign materials, chemical exposure, and splinters.By keeping it clean and safe, your children can enjoy playing in it.
Step 1: Keep it covered.
The best way to keep unwanted visitors out of your sandbox is to cover it whenever you don't use it.A good cover will keep your sand from getting wet.There are many store-bought sandboxes with covers.You can either purchase retrofit covers or build one using plywood.If the sand gets wet, be sure to let it dry out before you put the cover back on.
Step 2: A bug-repelling garden can be planted.
Adding some natural ingredients to your soil and planting insect-repelling plants near your sandbox can help keep a lot of bugs away.Mint and basil are not harmful to the environment.Mint repels rodents.If you have flowers on your plants, be sure to cut them off.Coffee grounds and cinnamon can be spread in your garden to repel pests.
Step 3: Don't allow your pets to play outside.
Pets can easily mistake a sandbox for a litter box, so it's best to keep them out of it at all times, even when you are watching.There are a variety of harmfulbacteria and parasites that can be caused by a single accident.Cats' feces can contain a parasites called toxoplasma gondii.Young children and pregnant women with a weak immune system can be at risk for toxoplasmosis.Keeping your pets up-to-date on their vaccinations can help prevent them from getting sick.
Step 4: It's a good idea to watch for leaking diapers.
It's important to make sure your kids always have clean diaper on when playing in the sand because it can become contaminated by human feces.Children who play in the sand are at risk of contracting E. coli.Young children are particularly vulnerable to E coli.If your children are not potty trained, don't let them play outside.
Step 5: The sand needs to be cleaned regularly.
To sift through the sand, use a rake or a clean litter box scoop.If you find foreign objects or clumps of sand, this will help you remove them.The number of times you should clean the sandbox depends on how often you use it.If it gets a lot of use, you should clean the sand at least once a week.
Step 6: The sand should be replaced periodically.
It's a good idea to replace the sand every two years because there is no way to keep it completely clean.
Step 7: It's a good idea to wash the toys.
You can wash the toys that your children play with in the sandbox if you want to reduce their exposure to contaminants.To keep toys germ-free, wipe them down with sterilants.If a toy is hard to clean, don't let your children play with it.
Step 8: After playing, wash your hands.
Even if you clean your sandbox well, there is still a risk.It is best to wash your children's hands as soon as you can after they are done playing.It will help keep the germs out of their mouths.Do not allow your child to drink or eat.Have your child wash his or her hands with soap and warm water.There is no need for antibacterial soap.Just use soap.
Step 9: Don't introduce gravel.
Children can get scratched if coarse material finds its way into the sandpit.Don't place gravel near the sandbox, where it could be tracked in.Raking out your sandbox often will help find any gravel that got in.
Step 10: Don't allow splinters.
Wood can cause splinters in the built up area.If you want to avoid this, build your sandbox with the right type of wood.Railroad ties tend to splinter easily.Landscape timbers are perfect for outdoor use and can be used to frame your sandbox.Plastic lumber can be used to build your sandbox.Sand it down if it starts to splinter.If you do get a splinter, you should remove it with a pair of tweezers.The longer you leave them in, the harder it is to get out.If you can't remove the splinter easily, you should see a doctor to have it cut out.
Step 11: Avoid wood that is toxic.
Some of the chemicals used to treat the wood are extremely toxic, which makes it less susceptible to rot and insect damage.There are toxic chemicals in wood that have been treated with Chromated Copper Arsenate.It's easy to identify wood that has been treated with chemicals, as it typically has a greenish hue to it, but this doesn't mean that it has undergone treatment with CCA.There are other chemicals that can be used to treat wood.If you want to use pressure treated wood, choose wood that has been treated with alkaline copper quaternary (ACQ) or borates.
Step 12: The right sand is used.
Some sand may contain minerals that are harmful to children.Temolite, which is found in some play sand and may have adverse health effects, is the biggest concern.If you want to avoid this, only buy beach sand or river sand.It's a good idea to avoid sand that contains crushed limestone, marble, or quartz.Any sand that is dusty should be avoided.