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July 4th, 2011 
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Decks are the perfect place for the whole family to hang out and spend time together, but how do you make sure that it’s safe for the littlies? Here are our tips to make sure that your deck not only looks great but is child friendly too!
Use Balustrades on Your Deck
If your deck is elevated from the ground even a tiny bit, you will need to have a railing and balustrade system installed. This will prevent children from accidentally falling off the edge and hurting themselves. Choose balustrades that are child friendly – they should not be able to squeeze through it (or get their head stuck in it!) nor should they be able to climb it or go underneath it.
Install Child Gates on Your Deck
You may think that installing a child gate is overkill but they are absolutely vital if you have stairs leading to or from your deck, even if it only one or two stairs, as kids can easily slip and fall down them. Install child gates at the top and bottom of the deck stairs. Make sure that the gates can stand up to the weather conditions outside, and try to choose ones that fit in with your deck design.
Ensure That There Are No Sharp Edges on Your Deck
Kids love to crawl and play on decks and you want to make sure that this is a pleasant experience for them. Most decks are made from wood, which is incredibly attractive, but you should be sure to choose wood that is rounded at the edges and free of splinters. This may mean giving it a sanding just after it has been installed and also sanding the deck just before you re-oil or re-stain it every couple of years.
Use High Quality Materials in Your Deck
When you are building your deck, it is paramount to use materials that are of high quality, even if they are initially more expensive. Also use a recommended, experienced and qualified deck builder that will help you to get all of the council permits and approvals that are required. A well made deck will last the test of time and it will be structurally sound, with no risk of collapsing and injuring children or adults. The deck builder should also be willing to provide you with a guarantee on the work that they have undertaken.
Maintain Your Deck
It doesn’t matter how well your deck is built if you don’t maintain it. Decks need to be checked and have maintenance performed on them at least yearly, to identify and treat problems before they become serious. Decking should be cleaned and oiled yearly or twice yearly, and you should check the deck for signs of rotting, warping, splintering materials, loose balustrades and so on.
This article has been reproduced with permission from Home Improvement Pages – www.hipages.com.au
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