Child care and pet care facilities require special attention when it comes to their regular maintenance and landscaping services. Unlike other commercial facilities where primarily adults are present, these facilities must take extra safety precautions to ensure that customers can feel safe leaving their loved ones in your care. Whether you’re running a daycare, a pet boarding facility, a school campus, or an after-school activity for kids, the environment you create is as important as your faculty and staff.
If you are running a child care or pet care facility, we recommend following these landscaping tips to keep everyone safe:
Minimize use of pesticides
Both kids and pets are put at risk when you use pesticides in your landscaping. If a pet or child eats something off the ground that has been freshly sprayed with pesticides, it can cause any number of ailments from a mild stomach ache to poisoning. Instead, we recommend using pest-deterring plants in your garden or minimizing your landscaping near buildings to reduce the need for pesticides on your property.
Install fencing to protect kids and pets from the streets
Sturdy fencing is a must if your commercial facility has a play area for pets or children. This keeps them out of streets or areas of your facility where they may get injured. While chain link is the most popular option, some fencing contractors recommend wood or vinyl for pets to deter them from digging underneath. Talk to your MaintenX contractor to determine what type of fencing will work best for your facility.
Provide plenty of shade
Shade in play areas is important for both children and pets. It allows them to take a break from the summer heat well before they start showing signs of exhaustion. By planting shade trees or installing pergolas strategically throughout your play area, you can make a more enjoyable space for your kids and pets.
Avoid toxic plants
Some plants are not safe for pet care facilities as they may be toxic to dogs or cats. Some of the more common species include sago palms, tulips, lilies, and azaleas. The ASPCA has a comprehensive list of potentially hazardous plants for cats and dogs you can use before beginning your summer landscaping.
Your pet care or child care facility will be safer for summer if you follow these tips. To learn more about the maintenance safety for child and pet care, contact your local MaintenX team! We specialize in these types of facilities and can help you create a safer environment for everyone.
