Now that summer's here, outdoor games and activities are in full swing. Even though having the kids "out back" gives you a bit of relief from the "I'm bored's", you must be aware of the potential hazards in the backyard. Our Technical Director blogged about pool safety. I'm here to tell you how to avoid dangers lurking in the sandbox.
The National Sanitation Foundation International (NSF) swabbed 26 different public places, and discovered that the playground sandbox contained the highest level of bacteria. Since little tots love nothing more than to dig, shovel, and wiggle their toes in the sand, here's a few tips to make sure they have fun and don't get sick.
If the kids haven't played in the sand since last summer, replace the sand with a fresh batch. Be sure to use play sand or beach sand that doesn't contain cyrstalline silicia. Thoroughly check the label for this hazardous material, which has been classified as a human carcinogen by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA). If the packaging doesn't say crystalline silica free, don't assume that it doesn't contain it.
Children aren't the only ones who love the sand -- so do insects and animals, so when the sandbox isn't in use, keep it covered with a tarp or piece of plywood that's cut to fit. Not only will this keep out critters, it will prevent rain showers from creating a swamp, clumpy mess.
If you find debris, clumps, or other foreign material in the sand, run a garden
rake through to remove it. To be extra safe, you may want to remove all the sand and replace it with a new batch. If the box is made of plastic, disinfect it with a bleach solution and let air dry before adding the new sand. You can use tossed sand in areas of your yard that need leveling or filling, or contact your local waste management to find out how to get rid of it. If you toss it with your regular trash, divide it into separate bags - bag of sand can be a bit heavy.