This is a sponsored post, but all opinions are my own!

Being a mom of two active boys, it is so important that we have enough space to move around, explore, and play outside. Thankfully, our yard is a big one. Our home actually sits on 13 acres of land, which is amazing. We love the fact that it gives our boys just what they need – a chance to run around without a care in the world.

While they do not have a care in the world, we still do. Having a big yard takes a lot of work, especially with two young kids running, jumping, digging, and rolling around. We have to make sure that we create a safe outdoor space for our kids to play in because if we do not give it the attention it needs, it can get dangerous very quickly.

No matter if you have a yard that is around the same size as ours, or if you have a smaller yard, you still need to make sure you are taking proper care of it. Don’t worry, though – it is not that hard, it just takes some planning! Here are my best tips on how to create a safe outdoor space for your family:

Goodbye Poison Ivy
First things first – remove all of the dangerous plants, like poison ivy and poison oak. I don’t know about you, but I do not know a single mom that has the time (or patience) to take care of kids that are covered in itchy rashes from being exposed to poison ivy. In addition, in some people, it can even cause blistering and anaphylaxis. Just go ahead and remove it for your sanity and for your kids (and other kids) safety. According to HGTV, “Dealing with poison ivy at home is manageable, but requires vigilance even after treatment. Even after plants have been removed, roots may be overlooked, resulting in the return of the unwanted plant. Try any of these methods for successful eradication, but always wear long sleeve shirts, long pants and gloves when working around poison ivy. Even light contact can end with painful results.”

Add A Barrier
If you live on a busy street, or if you cannot see the street from your home, I would highly recommend adding some type of fence to keep your kids and your pets contained within the yard. Once your kids are a certain age, you may find yourself taking bathroom breaks, or doing dishes while looking out the window. Or, maybe you busy yourself with some laundry, a book, or you are working, or looking at your phone, which is okay. Either way, all of your attention is not on your children and you want to make sure they stay safe.

Keep Your Pool In Mind
If you have a pool, river, pond, lake, or any type of water, please make sure your children can not accidentally get in it and drown. Teach your kids safety lessons and teach them how to swim, starting at an early age. Above and beyond knowledge, also prevent a possible slip or jump in the water by somehow adding a safety precaution.

Think About Chemicals
If you get your yard sprayed for pest or mosquito control, just think about that before letting your kids run outside. There is a certain amount of time that you are supposed to wait before playing in the yard. I feel like this is a pretty obvious point and there is not a whole lot to say on the matter, but just please be aware!

Keep An Eye Out
Keeping an eye out is essential. I know that you cannot always be there every single second. Things happen like having to go to the bathroom like I mentioned above, or maybe you are in the middle of cooking dinner. I get it! Just keep in mind that accidents happen when people are least expecting them, so as long as you are just aware about what your children are doing, you are headed down the right path!

Tree Removal
According to Frontier Tree & Turf, “Removal of a tree should always be the last resort. An effort should always be made to find other remedies to rectify tree problems. Nonetheless, there are times when trees can become a major liability and represent a safety hazard.” If you see a tree that looks like it needs to be removed, definitely consider hiring a professional to get it checked out so that it does not fall on your home, or anywhere else that it should not fall.

Photo courtesy of Frontier Tree & Turf

Located in Middletown, NJ, Frontier Tree & Turf is a family owned and operated tree, shrub, and lawn care service. They are in the business of keeping Monmouth and Ocean County beautiful and safe and have been doing so for over 30 years. When you hire a tree service, make sure they know how to handle tree removal safely and responsibly. “Frontier Tree & Turf has New Jersey Certified Tree Experts (CTEs) on staff and has been in business for over 30 years. Certified Tree Experts are said to be among the most knowledgeable and ethical arborists in the state of New Jersey.”