5 Essential Safety Features for Backyards

Motion-sensing lighting and surveillance cameras enhance backyard security by deterring intruders and providing real-time monitoring. Fencing with gates, pool safety measures, and safe grilling practices protect families and create secure outdoor spaces.

1. Motion-Sensing Lighting for Calabasas Backyards

Having a serene and safe backyard in Calabasas can significantly enhance the outdoor enjoyment and solace of your family. For that reason, motion-activated lights represent an outstanding option to up your backyard security and low-key outdoor ambiance.

When they detect motion, these lights work in concert to brighten the area. Detecting motion is not the exclusive province of electrical appliances. A cat burglar, for instance, is quite likely to approach a dwelling where he has seen, in luminous bright terms, a hard-to-miss, clearly visible sign that states in no uncertain terms, “This Is Not Your House!” The MaxDetect series from Defiant seems a pretty good deal, with prices not much over $50 to $60 for almost all models, which might tempt you to install two or three of these units around your abode.

Solar power provides a sustainable and very easy-to-install option, but the location of a solar light depends on sunlight rather than the illumination that it can provide. In terms of pure light output, nothing can touch a hardwired light fixture, which can come with a dimmer switch or even be controlled via the internet. But if you’re willing to live with a lamp that only shines as brightly as a 60-watt replacement, you can’t beat the convenience of a cordless LED.

Choosing appropriate motion-sensing outdoor lights ensures that your family can engage in nighttime outdoor activities without undue worry. Being able to see clearly in the dark increases not only security but also the comfort and usability of your backyard. So whether you’re having a late evening barbecue or just a simple garden stroll, with these lights, you can feel free to enjoy such moonlit moments.

2. Surveillance with Front Yard Cameras

Extending security to the front yard is as simple as putting up a camera. In Calabasas, where people take their safety and property protection seriously, the appearance of a front yard surveillance camera should be enough to remind would-be intruders that someone is always watching. And unlike the cameras of just a few years ago, which were merely a threat but offered no real means of gaining information, today’s front yard cameras can stream live video to the homeowner’s smartphone, day or night.

Criminal activity is diminished remarkably when using surveillance cameras. Indeed, research suggests that these devices serve as one of the most effective deterrents to various crimes, including property theft and car burglaries. In an average year, we prevent about 575 offenses using these cameras and divert about 75 more to areas nearby, thus limiting the “reach” of many crimes. One can see, then, why so many people and places stake so much on surveillance cameras: They’re effective in ways that really matter.

For parents and families, features such as night vision are of the utmost importance. These allow continuous, 24/7 monitoring during all hours of the day. And when it comes to visibility, the light-enhanced cameras provide a level of security comparable to any other monitored area of the house. Even if you have a monitored security system at the front door, a camera with night vision is your first line of defense when the sun goes down. And if you have to be away from home, the live feed that you can watch from your smartphone or tablet serves as the next best thing to being at home.

Counteracting intrusion is one thing, but these surveillance devices also foster an environment of safety by serving as a visual reminder to would-be criminals of the pool of evidence that would be available to law enforcement should they commit a crime. In addition to that, the cameras may even catch the bad guys in action, allowing for some real-time enforcement that isn’t even really enforceable until the tape is produced. But even then, we’re talking about “valuable evidence,” as in a 21st-century world where video is king when it comes to prosecuting the bad guys and serving the good.

3. Fencing and Gates for Secure Backyards

For families with small children and pets, ensuring a secure and safe backyard is a priority. The appropriate choice of privacy fence can boost the security and safety level of the property, during the day as well as the night. It is not just a matter of necessity; it is also an important aesthetic choice. A well-chosen privacy fence can enhance the appearance of any property. The most common privacy fence materials are wood, particularly cedar, and vinyl, with each material having its own distinct advantages.

If you’re a family looking to boost your security, a good first step is to set up an intercom system at your front gate. Intercom systems integrated with the main access point of a property make for a much more secure environment, all but ensuring that only those you want entering the property actually get in.

An economical choice, chain-link fencing usually costs between $2,450 and $4,000. Though this type of fencing can provide a good deal of security, meeting all of the security needs that you may have for your property’s perimeter will require some careful consideration of a few critical factors. Of these, material density is probably the most important. Meeting the minimum security requirements that your property needs at the lowest possible cost will depend to a large extent on this factor and where you place your fencing to enclose your property.

Including features such as arbors and climbing plants in your backyard isn’t just a clever way to ensure no one can see in. It is, as the pros say, a privacy “element.” Moreover, it’s a well-documented fact that good fences make great neighbors. A fence in your yard, particularly one that’s painted or stained, promotes the DIY top-sider philosophy of personalized outdoor spaces.

4. Pool Safety Features for Families

It is very important to keep swimming pools safe, especially for people who have kids. The “danger level” drops right off when you have a good set of safety measures in place. You can make a pool area safe, and you can make a pool safe, too — and, as it happens, the two sets of measures are really just different facets of the same thing.

Drowning is a leading cause of accidental death in children, but there are steps you can take to help protect your kids. One of the best ways to keep your children safe around a pool is to install a fence, but not just any fence will do. One of the best ways to keep your pool safe is to install a four-sided fence that completely encloses the pool and that has a self-latching and self-closing gate. The best pool fences are made of sturdy materials and are at least 5 feet tall.

Another critical element is supervision. Having a responsible adult act as a “Water Watcher” ensures concentrated oversight and makes for a speedy response if something goes wrong. Even with the most attentive supervision, accidents can and do happen, however, so it’s important to have rules—no diving in headfirst, for instance, and don’t hang out near the drains—that keep swimmers safe and avoid dangerous situations.

Difficult-to-remove pool covers and sturdy pool alarms are two physical measures that can effectively stop a child from either falling into the pool accidentally or gaining access to it deliberately. Pool alarms are much like the security system you might have in your house. When it is set, and someone enters the pool, you are quickly notified.

To get ready for emergencies, it’s smart to teach family members CPR and to ensure that emergency services can get to you quickly.

When families blend these safety provisions with expert input from professionals like those at EHD Builders, who have produced a guide to essential safety features for our backyards, it enables them to turn their backspaces into secure places for good times and peace of mind.

5. Safe Grilling and Fire Pit Practices

To reduce fire hazards increases the security of your backyard, and enhances your family’s comfort. When grilling and using fire pits, always err on the side of caution to prevent accidents. Position fire pit seating at a safe distance—generally 2 to 4 feet between the chairs and the fire, depending on whether you are using a gas or wood-burning fire pit. Keep your children 3 to 10 feet away, and ask them not to cross the perimeter you establish when you make fire.

Note: These separations are general recommendations. Always check local building codes and the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific fire feature, and use your best judgment when determining how to arrange your pit and chairs.

Your grill needs your attention. The National Fire Protection Association reports that 8,900 grill fires are set each year in the U.S. These fires cause an average of $110 million in property damage. From 2014 to 2018, the annual number of fires and of deaths was steady. Fortunately, no one seems to be getting killed by grill fires anymore. The 2018 estimate of 10 deaths is the best estimate since 2010.

Fire pit safety focuses on more than just keeping the flames at bay. To eliminate the fire’s appearance of being uncontained, the user should ensure that any nearby objects that could burn are at least five feet away. Staying in compliance with local burn laws gives the user the least amount of worry while enjoying the fire and reduces the risk of starting a wildfire.

To make your backyard even more secure, think about incorporating fire screens and protective rings. Both of these elements are excellent at containing fires, which is obviously not a bad quality in a feature that’s meant to keep the flame under control. Fire rings also are great for adding a layer of safety for kids and pets—hardscaping construction combined with common sense can create a backyard that’s as safe as it is stylish.

If you are interested in a professionally designed and safe backyard, EHD Builders can serve your needs with their accomplished services. They can provide you either with a pool and spa feature or the installation of artificial turf. Either way, with their help, you can achieve an outdoor space that is safe, stylish, and what you might call “perfect” for your family.

FAQ

What are the benefits of motion-sensing lighting in backyards?

Increased security and convenience come with using motion-sensing lights—lighting that turns on when it detects movement and is off when it doesn’t, the perfect combination for keeping spaces well-watched but not overly lit. The lights detect and illuminate potential problems and provide a safe space for nighttime activities. Flexibility of installation comes with options like solar-powered and battery-operated models. Spaces of all sizes can be accommodated with lights that come in various lumens, from low to high.

How do outdoor cameras contribute to family safety?

Home security cameras are like the beefy bouncers of the surveillance world. They patrol the property’s perimeter and watch the entrance like a hawk, day and night, and most of them don’t even have latticework to see through, as you might with a typical outdoor light. Many home security cameras have a “see in the dark” feature, which is so well known that it’s even been parodied in pop culture.

What factors should be considered when choosing fencing and gates for a secure backyard?

Think about using durable, aesthetically pleasing materials such as wood or vinyl when selecting fencing and gates. Wood is a traditional fencing material, while vinyl is a modern alternative; both are available in plenty of designs. Arbors and other nice touches help the fence and gate perform their basic inflexible functions while adding to the look of your yard. Fences that are mostly for show still need to be at least partly secure and private, and doing that requires their being difficult to climb over and something that people with ill intent can’t see through.

Why are pool safety features important for families with children?

To counteract the ever-present danger of drowning, which is an all-too-common cause of death among young children, there are several measures that we employ, as taken from the suggestions of the National Association of State Boards of Education. They recommend that we utilize poor supervision practices, for one. And then there are the classic pool safety practices that I imagine have been around since pools became a regular part of a backyard landscape. Fencing seems to be the biggest one.

How can grilling and fire pit practices enhance backyard safety?

When it comes to grilling and enjoying fire pits, safety is paramount. That means keeping a safe distance, not only from the flames but also from what could potentially ignite nearby, such as that pile of dry leaves, the overhanging branch, and those flowering plants that are basically just a lot of gasoline waiting to catch fire. Everyone knows to call 911, but you ain’t my friend if you let it get to that point. And after you’re done with your grill or fire pit, both should be extinguished and cooled down to the touch before covering it or putting it away. Finish strong on the safety aspect, or else you might be going weak on the whole grilling experience.