Backyard Fun, Outdoor Safety Tips

Backyard Playground Safety: Planning For a Safe Playground

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It’s not too early to start thinking about providing your kids with a Springtime surprise — a backyard swing set or playground.  In fact, it’s best to start early because there are a number of considerations to take into account when planning for a safe backyard playground experience.

Location is key! Be sure to select the best spot for your new playground set:

  • Avoid ground that slopes or is uneven. Level ground helps prevent a playground set from tipping.
  • Select a spot that is away from potentially dangerous obstacles such as trees, low branches and wires, stumps, roots, large rocks, fences, bricks, and concrete.
  • Plan for a safety zone of at least 6 feet around all playground equipment; set aside even more space in front of and behind swings.
  • Plan the location and position of any metal or dark-colored slides or surfaces. Placing these out of direct sunlight can help prevent burns on hot, sunny days.

Falls will happen! Don’t forget to choose a proper protective surface for under and around the playground equipment:

  • Grass and dirt are not adequate protection from injuries due to falls.
  • Pea gravel, sand, wood chips, and shredded or recycled rubber mulch are some recommended protective playground surface options. (Further details about the variety of protective playground surfaces will be discussed in future postings.)

In my next post on the topic of backyard playground safety, I’ll go into more detail about the variety of protective safety surface materials available.  You should then be able to make a more informed decision regarding the best choice of surface material to use under and around your playground equipment.

Outdoor Entertaining, Outdoor Living Spaces

I’m Dreaming of Spring

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I have hardly stepped outside all winter except for an occasional walk with my beagle and sheetzu because it is FREEZING here. I miss sitting on my cozy back porch while the morning sun warms my face. I tell myself it will be worth the long winter months indoors. Come Spring come. In the meantime, I have my trusty patio heater. An outdoor infrared patio heater gives me a moment to breath in some fresh air in spite of the winter cold.

Garden Tools & Tips, Storage Solutions

Stock Up for Spring with a Garden Shed

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It’s never too early to get ready for spring gardening, even if the snow is still shin deep.  Spring preparations require stocking up on gardening essentials like soil and seeds, and there is no better time to prepare your gardening tools for a new season of use.  A sturdy cedar garden shed can safely house your spring supplies as well as offer a comfortable spot for cleaning and oiling your favorite garden tools.  Once the winter season wanes, you ‘ll be ready to get digging!

Outdoor Entertaining

Cheap Patio Furniture Covers Prove Cheap

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Expert Trey Collier,  owner of one of America’s most sought after outdoor living stores,  recently shared his views on the do’s and don’ts of covering outdoor furniture.

According to Mr. Collier “Inferior quality patio furniture covers may last only one or two seasons because they are often made with cheaper vinyl or plastic. These inferior materials are easily damaged by extremes in cold or hot temperatures. High quality covers can be constructed from a variety of materials, but some important qualities should be determined before deciding. Outdoor covers should be made of a durable waterproof and UV resistant material that can hold up beautifully against extreme temperatures and weather conditions, both hot and cold, without being damaged. Furthermore, covers should be lightweight so that they are easy to use and easy to store when not in use. Some covers are backed with a soft cloth material to help prevent anything from scratching delicate furniture surfaces, which is a desirable characteristic if your patio furniture sits near any trees that may drop small branches or other debris throughout the changing seasons.”

 

Outdoor Entertaining

Cooking in a chiminea?

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Fun fire… campfires, bonfires, and that long gone but lovingly remembered autumn ritual of leaf burning by the curbside… can still be yours through the noble chiminea,  the popular outdoor potbelly fireplace.

Chimineas are not care-free devices.  They need a certain amount of ongoing maintenance to guarantee the longest life.  Hopefully, you will read this before you buy one so that you can make an informed purchase.

What is a chiminea?

Originating in Mexico in the 17th century, the original chimineas were used to bake bread.  As with the originals, modern chimineas are handmade from raw, wet clay,  giving each chiminea its own personality.  They are actually made from two pieces… the chimney or “stack” made separately from the wood chamber or “base”.  After a short period of air drying, they are joined together to make a seemingly seamless fireplace!

The formed chiminea is allowed to air dry for a few more days and then is baked in a 900+  degree kiln.  Allowing enough drying time as important since chimineas placed into the kiln while too wet will invariably crack.  After thorough cooling, the outside is painted to give a rustic-looking, almost antique appearance.  (Personally, I like the some of the new styles that are made of cast iron because they are resistant to chips, cracks and fading.)

What can be burned in a chiminea?

The chiminea is primarily a wood-burning stove.  Hard woods burn best and produce the least amount of sparks.  Some chiminea users who cook in their chimineas burn charcoal.    One safe way is to first burn some hard wood to form wood coals, which in turn are hot enough to light the charcoal.  You could also use self-lighting charcoal.

Chimineas are for outdoor use only!