Tips To Keep Kids Safe Around The Rented Dumpster In Your Driveway
Renting a dumpster is a valuable idea when you're starting a renovation job at home, as the close proximity of this receptacle (likely in your driveway) will make disposing of the waste a breeze. It's important, however, to give some consideration to making the dumpster safe for children. While you can sternly tell your kids that climbing on and in the dumpster is an absolute no-no, you can't walk through the neighborhood giving this message to children who live nearby. When you're out or overnight, local kids may feel compelled to climb in the dumpster, and could end up with an injury. Here are some tips for reducing this risk.
Keep The Doors Securely Shut
If your rented dumpster has doors on one end, you'll likely keep them open throughout the day when you're doing the demolition phase of your renovation project. When the work is done for the night, however, it's important to make sure that the doors are closed, latched the locked. Typically, there will be a metal loop through which you can pass a combination lock. If you don't have easy access to a lock, a thick bolt and a nut can hold the door shut, provided that you use a wrench to tighten the nut.
Use A Cover
Dumpsters aren't covered, but you can place a heavy canvas cover over the top of your rented dumpster and secure it with rope. This will provide another obstacle for neighborhood children who are tempted to climb up the side of the dumpster and jump down inside it. When you rent the dumpster, make sure that it has brackets along the top edges to secure a tarp or other covering. Use heavy rope and pull the cover down as tightly as possible so form a barrier that won't even allow children to slip inside.
Consider What You Place Inside
Even if you take preventative steps to keep neighborhood kids out of the rented dumpster, it's possible for someone to gain access. If so, the last thing you want is for a trespasser to sustain and injury and hold you accountable. To reduce the risk of an injury if someone is able to enter the dumpster, think about the risk factor of items you wish to discard. For example, if you're getting rid of sections of glass or mirrors, you may wish to keep them in the garage and place them in the dumpster only when it's about to be picked up. This can prevent a child from cutting him or herself upon jumping into the bin in the dark, for example.