Children are welcome, but please read the following considerations:
- The desert is a dangerous place for children; from cacti with needles that require pliers to pull out to scorpion stings that can cause anaphylactic shock.
- The pool is a dangerous area and the risk for drowning is real! While the backyard has self closing and locking doors, you need to make sure the doors are closed and locked, and no child is left unsupervised for even the shortest period of time. All annual drowning rates from 2000 to 2004 were greater among children 1-4 years old in Arizona than their mortality rates for motor vehicle crashes [source] and the city of Scottsdale is hard at work reducing accidental drowning.
What are we doing to increase safety?
- Both garden gates are spring loaded, self closing and self locking. It is your responsibility to make sure the doors remain closed and latched at all times.
- Both patio doors are self closing and self locking. It is your responsibility to make sure the doors are closed and latched at all times.
- We have had the house professionally sealed to keep vermin and insects out. Even with this precaution the occasional insect will find its way inside. It is also imperative that no doors or windows are left open since that would obviously allow insects free access to the interior.
- We have the Orkin company spray the inside of the house as well as the garden on a monthly schedule to remove dangerous insect. Even with this precaution the occasional insect will find its way past all barriers. It is your responsibility to keep children out of harms way that is ever present, in particular in the desert.
- We keep pliers available both in the kitchen and the garage for extracting cactus needles.
What can you do to increase safety?
- Don’t let children into the desert, including the desert garden. Keep children away from the edges where cacti and desert plants are hanging in over the patio.
- Never let children out of sight, not even for a few seconds.
- Consider and follow the advice shared.
- Think through each situation and think “what if…”. Consider the consequences of your decisions.
- Know where the nearest hospital is!
- Make sure to always have a reliable way to call for help, e.g. a charged cell phone.
- Intervene before a situation gets out of hand. E.g. if children are running and playing on the stone floor they will sooner or later hurt themselves.