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  • Writer's pictureMidwest Fence & Gate

Fence Considerations for Families with Small Children


Two boys looking over a fence.

If you do not have a fence around your property and you have small children, there are many reasons why you should go ahead and have a fence installed. A fence will protect your children, add value to your home, and if you have pets, protect them as well.

Why You Need a Fence to Protect Your Children

There are many different benefits of adding a fence. These include the following:

Privacy

When your kids play in the yard, you do not want strangers looking at them. While your neighbors may be perfectly safe, you never know about the strangers that could be lurking around. This is especially true if you live in a high-traffic area. Your children are less likely to be harmed or abducted by criminals if they do not know they are there.


A privacy fence will also allow your neighbors to have privacy and not be disturbed while your children are playing outside.

Safety

A fence will keep people out, and they will keep your children safe inside. You will want to ensure that you get a lockable gate so your children can be kept safe inside the fenced-in area and not wander off. You will want to ensure that your fences are high enough that your child cannot climb over them. You will also want to explain to your children the purpose of the fence and how they should never play or climb on it (contrary to what the photo of this blog suggests).

Supervision

When kids have open spaces, they tend to fan out everywhere. Since they are fast, your child may be down the road in a blink of an eye. Having a fence will allow you to supervise your children much easier. If you need to look away or go inside for a minute, you can rest assured that your children are secure inside the fence.

Wildlife

Even if you live in the busiest of areas, at some point, you are going to deal with wildlife, including foxes, possums, stray dogs, and cats. These animals can bite, scratch, and carry diseases. A fence will create a boundary where these animals cannot enter, keeping your child safe.

Toys

Your child probably has several outside toys that you are not fond of bringing inside. You may want to leave these toys outside, but you are scared of someone stealing them or them getting blown away. Having a fence around your property will help to protect your child’s favorite outdoor toys.

Fencing Material Options

Cartoon fences depicting the different types of fences available.

When it comes to fencing, there are many options out there. Midwest Fence & Gate Company even offers financing through Synchrony! Fencing options include:

Vinyl

Vinyl fencing will give you a secure fence that will stand up for many years. It is created with a smooth material that will be very easy to clean and maintain. It is not easy to climb, so it is perfect for those who have children that love to climb.

Aluminum

Aluminum fencing is also great as it is extremely easy to maintain. However, you will want to make sure that the top is smooth and there are no sharp edges.

Wood

Wooden fences, like wooden privacy fences, are also great options. However, they will need more maintenance and can lead to injury if they are climbed on.

Chain link

Chain link fences are great options, but they can be climbed over easily. So, if you have a climber, you may want to consider another option.

Wrought iron

Wrought iron fencing is very beautiful, but it can have very sharp edges. If you opt for this kind of fencing, make sure that you make sure there are no sharp edges.


Other Fence Considerations

So, how do you choose what kind of fencing you need? There are several different considerations. You will, of course, want to look at the price points to determine how much you want to spend on the fence. Fencing like wrought iron may be more expensive than other choices. Another factor that will affect the pricing of the fencing is how much fencing you will need.


At Midwest Fence & Gate Company, located in Fort Dodge and Ames, we can give you an estimate on how much a fence would cost you depending on the location, how much of your yard will be fenced, and any other factors.

Gate Considerations

Do not forget to make sure that you get a quality gate. Toddlers can learn to open and close anything. You will want to have a gate that latches securely and locks. This will allow you to have much-needed security in your backyard.

Fence Placement Considerations

Another consideration you will need to figure out is where you will put your fencing. For your children, you will want to put it somewhere where they play, like your backyard, but you will want to consider your future plans.


If you plan on doing something like a pool, it might be a good idea to have that area marked and fenced in first. Then you can fence around the rest of your property.


Some people choose to fence in their front yard, too. You will have to figure out your preferences and your future needs before getting a fence installed.


Can You Install Your Own Fence?

You are putting the fence in to help to protect your children, and you will want to ensure that the fence is installed correctly. A correctly installed fence is a safe one. Doing it yourself might be somewhat cheaper, but if you install the fence wrong, it could lead to damage to the fence and safety issues for your children.


It is important to let a professional install your fence for you. At Midwest Fence & Gate Company, we will professionally install your fence and gate to ensure that they function well, and your children are safe.



If you are interested in making your property safer for your children, please call Midwest Fence & Gate Company in Iowa. We offer several different styles of fencing that will keep your children safe and will look amazing. Please contact us today for all your fencing needs.

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