Kids are eager to explore their kingdom, whether in their backyard or even all the way to the edge of their property. The safest fences for kids allow them to enjoy their little kingdom safely and without worry.
That being said, it’s not easy picking the right kind of fence or even knowing where to start. Sure, garden fences give off a nice aesthetic vibe, but what’s the point if they don’t truly protect your kids?
Child Safety: The Most Important Factor
Over time, parents have paid extra attention to making sure their children are safe, especially in their very own backyards. This isn’t to say children aren’t still exposed to risks, but rather, with awareness comes prevention.
Preventive measures like modifying the child’s environment or following safety practices are small steps that can go a long way in protecting your kids.
Safest Fences
Your fence material is an important consideration. Vinyl and aluminum fences are your best long-term bet if you want to keep sharp edges away from these curious little hands.
Plus, wooden or wooden-wire fences require much more maintenance and risk of having breakaways that can be potential hazards.
Here are some popular materials and types of fences to consider:
Vinyl Privacy Fence
What’s great about a vinyl fence is that it has no sharp edges and can be slippery enough to deter climbing. It also gives off a low-maintenance vibe that busy parents will thank you for. Children often run around, splash water, and get dirt all over the place, making Vinyl fences a good option as they can be easily wiped clean.
Plus, it’s customizable in terms of height and slat spacing, so you can create something that provides your home with a security barrier that will keep potential intruders and dangerous wildlife away.
In terms of resistance to external elements, vinyl fences take the crown as they won’t warp, rot, or corrode. Their UV protection also helps maintain their color and smoothness.
Aluminum Fence
Aluminum fences are a popular choice for those who want to make a statement without spending too much time and money when it comes to maintenance. Not only does aluminum mimic the style of steel fences, but it’s also unaffected by moisture and won’t rust.
Plus, due to its lightweight, fence installation is actually quite efficient and straightforward. Panels are simply joined together at the picket and rail juncture with screws.
One downside is its lack of security, as aluminum isn’t sufficiently strong to protect against high-impact collisions like steel or wrought iron fences. Still, it is perfect for keeping curious kids safely tucked in your yard.
Wooden Privacy Fence
Even though wood needs more maintenance compared to vinyl and aluminum, wooden fences can give off a rustic appeal that is perfect for homes in the suburbs– plus, it adds a great deal of value to your property. Wooden fences are great for keeping intruders out and keeping your kids in.
Plus, you can get creative and customize yours with features like gates and doorways that will, of course, need to be maintained religiously. We suggest treating your wood against weather, rot, bugs, and termites if you’re up for a wooden fence. It’ll likely increase your cost, but it’s worth the investment.
Too many people make the mistake of thinking that wooden fences are low-maintenance when, in reality, they require a lot of upkeep if you don’t want the wood to splinter and break away.
Chain Link Fence
Budget-friendly and incredibly durable, chain link fencing is a practical choice. It’s not the most aesthetically pleasing, so if that’s your thing, consider adding some slats for colorful options and more security measures.
Another great thing about chain link fences is that they can be customized according to certain safety adjustments unique to your property. You won’t have to go through the entire fence if you detect damages somewhere. Repairing a chain link fence is incredibly simple, as you just need to cut out the damaged part and replace it with a new section.
One word of warning with this one: You need to ensure the mesh is not wide enough for a child’s head or limbs to get stuck. This is why opting for styles with fewer mesh openings is better.
Other Safety Considerations
The fence itself is not the only thing that determines whether a fence is safe. There are parts – toppers, rails, gates, and more – to think about.
Toppers and Rails
Decorative finials or spike tips on your fence, although stylish, can be incredibly dangerous for children. Due to their innate curiosity, children may attempt to climb the fence, increasing the likelihood of injuries. All it takes is one wrong move for a child to end up with a painful experience.
Opt for flat rails and spear-less tops to guarantee your children’s safety regarding your fence. This will ensure that your kids won’t hurt their hands if they ever manage to hit the fence at a certain angle, and you also won’t have to worry about clothes catching on sharp spikes.
Although spears can provide a more regal look, flat rails are chic and 100% safe for children while providing the same style effects as decorations do.
The Gate
The gate is an extremely important design feature of your fence. People often overlook this, but a good gate should be both decorative and functional. Installing an iron gate with a latch system at the top can thwart invading hands and keep little ones from opening locks.
In addition, you’ll want to make sure the latch is firmly in place and not too shallow for access. Young children famously find ways around a fence if there’s even the slightest gap, so it’s essential to evaluate the quality of your gate as often as possible.
Plus, it’s a plus if you can easily tell if the gate is latched or not. This way, you won’t have to worry about kids playing jailbreak and escaping their play area that easily.
Fence Height
Kids love to explore, so you’ll need a fence that isn’t easy to climb over. Consider something at least five or six feet tall with no footholds anywhere in sight. Square aluminum fences, lattice fences, dog-eared fences, and privacy fences offer these requirements.
Avoid picket or any other style of decorative fence, as they are simply not high enough to keep intruders or even animals away from kids.
Fence Style
It’s easy to fall in love with something aesthetically pleasing and end up compromising safety measures without even noticing. Generally speaking, fencing options without decorations or protrusions are the safest for kids.
So, if you want to check both boxes, consider solid privacy fences that offer no views into or out of the yard. Usually coming in six-foot-high panels, these provide enough security to protect your kids from potential danger while still being cost-efficient.
Lattice and picket fences offer great curves, lines, and geometric shapes. But in terms of safeguarding, a privacy fence is much better for keeping out neighbors or outsiders.
Meanwhile, squared metal fences, these are considered the paramount example of modern aesthetics. However, they aren’t a great option for kids due to the spacing between bars and the fact that they just don’t provide enough protection,
Pool Fencing
A backyard pool is probably the greatest threat in kids’ entire kingdoms. According to the World Health Organization, drowning remains the second leading cause of unintentional death in children aged one to fourteen.
That’s why pool fencing guidelines have become a thing in many states. Typically, these fences must be constructed with slats that are no more than four inches apart and stand at least 48 inches high or taller. The gates must be able to lock and close to prevent any unauthorized access automatically.
This is all to ensure that it’s hard for kids to climb or gain access to pools without an adult knowing.
FAQ About Fences for Kids
Ideally, you should be looking at no other material than vinyl and aluminum, as they feature no sharp edges and can be slippery enough to deter climbing. Introducing wooden or other fencing can potentially be dangerous as the material will require much more maintenance and risk having breakaways that can be potential hazards.
Aluminum fences on a hot summer day can indeed get a bit hot. Vinyl fencing, on the other hand, won’t heat up as much.
Aluminum gates can be incredibly strong and durable. However, wood may provide you with better options when it comes to customization.
Wooden gates typically require much more maintenance than aluminum ones and may not stand the test of time in humid climates or coastal regions that are subject to harsher weather conditions. In these cases, it’s always best to opt for an aluminum gate.
A Safer Outdoor Haven For Your Little Ones
The outside world can be incredibly intimidating and dangerous for our little ones. As parents, it’s essential to keep our children safe when they go out and explore without making them feel too restricted. There are many ways to provide a safer outdoor haven by creating boundaries with the right kind of fencing.
Whether you choose vinyl, aluminum, wooden fencing, or something else, think carefully about what your family needs to make the backyard truly safe for kids while also adding a statement to the rest of your property.
We can help you connect with a fencing company in your area that will be more than happy to help you find the best fencing solution that offers both safety and security for the children in your life.
Main Image Credit: Bilanol / Canva Pro / License
