Northern Virginia Deck Resource Center
Northern Virginia Deck Articles
Choosing A Composite Deck For Your Northern Virginia Home or BusinessFAQs About Trex Composite Decking Materials
Commonly Asked Questions About Deck Sealing and Deck Staining From Northern VA Homeowners
A Deck Is More Than A Deck With the Right Extra Touches
Choosing Composite Decking For Your Northern Virginia Home
Commonly Asked Questions About Sunrooms For Your Northern Virginia Home
Composite Decking and Deck Railing: Is it in Northern Virginia to Stay?
Choosing The Right Deck For Your Northern Virginia Home
Top Reasons Northern Virginia Homeowners Build Sunrooms
Is A Composite Deck Right For Your Gainesville, VA Home?
Advantages of a Composite Deck in Northern Virginia
Keep Your Deck Safe for Children of All Ages
Don't Forget to Winterize Your Northern Virginia Deck
How to Care for Outdoor Wood Furniture on Northern Virginia Decks
Using Outdoor Lighting Elements to Accentuate Your Northern Virginia Deck and Landscape
More than Just a Safety Feature, Deck Railings Also an Important Design Element
Redesigning Your Northern Virginia Deck to Accommodate a Hot Tub
Apply Interior Design Principles when Decorating Your Northern Virginia Deck
Easy Ways to Make Your Northern Virginia Deck a Private, Cozy Space
Basic Feng Shui Principles to Follow When Placing Deck Furniture
Pergolas a Budget-Friendly Way to Add Shade and Visual Interest to Your Northern Virginia Deck
Why Deck Flashing is So Important for Your Northern Virginia Deck
Don't Overlook the Importance of Stairs When Designing Your Northern Virginia Deck
Composite Decking or Wood Decking: Which Should You Choose for Your Northern Virginia Deck?
Choosing a Railing Style for Your Northern Virginia Deck
The Benefits of Trex Decking for Your Northern Virginia Home
Types of Trex Products Available for Your Northern Virginia Home
Trex Transcend Decking and Railing System Brings Unsurpassed Beauty to Your Northern Virginia Home
Benefits of Trex Railing Products for Your Northern Virginia Home
Trex Trim Offers Superior Low-Maintenance Durability
How to Care for Your Outdoor Wicker Furniture
Caring for Teak Outdoor Furniture on Your Northern Virginia Deck
Northern Virginia Deck Tips
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The Best Looking and Best Designed Deck For Around Your Northern Virginia Swimming Pool
Tips To Make Your Fairfax VA Wood Deck More Private
Commonly Asked Questions About Northern Virginia Deck Maintenance
Is a Composite Deck Constructed by the Right Deck Contractor What Your Northern Virginia Home Needs?
When Is the Right Time To Refinish Your Northern Virginia Deck?
Decorating Tips For Your Springflield VA Outdoor Decks
Keeping Your Clifton, VA Screened Porch Dry Throughout The Season
Tips For Deck Cleaning and Deck Staining At Your Northern Virginia Home
Spring Is The Time To Get Your Northern Virginia Deck Ready For Summer
Things To Avoid When Cleaning Your Northern Virginia Deck
Why Choosing Composite Decking Is A Good Idea
The Right Time For Your Deck Refinishing Project Is Key To Preserving Your Northern Virginia Deck
To Power Wash or Not? The Best Way to Clean Your Wood Deck
Container Gardening Allows Big Landscaping Effects on Small Deck Space
Common Types of Wood Used for Northern Virginia Decks
Don't Get Burned: Follow These Safety Tips when Using Your Outdoor Grill
Retractable Deck Awnings Provide Outdoor Comfort
Outdoor Area Rugs Add Sense of Style to Your Northern Virginia Deck
Landscaping Ideas for Under Your Second-Story Deck
How to Take Care of Your Northern Virginia Deck's Outdoor Cushions
Stair Safety for Your Northern Virginia Deck
Northern Virginia Deck Projects
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Deck Doctor, LLC Excels in Hardwood Custom Deck for Chantilly
Deck Doctor, LLC Excels in Composite Custom Decks for Oakton
Caroline County Va. Trex Waterfont Deck Project
Keep Your Deck Safe for Children of All Ages
A deck or porch is a perfect place to let kids play; it's off the ground so they won't get wet or muddy, it's close to the house providing for easier supervision and it typically is where outdoor dining occurs too, allowing for a peaceful adult meal while the kids entertain themselves. However, before you get too comfortable, make sure your deck is as safe as possible.
Ensure the railings around the deck enclose the entire area to prevent adventurous toddlers and preschoolers from attempting to squeeze through the slats and over or under the railing. Children often try these maneuvers and end up caught between the deck and the railing or between slats. The railing should be at least three feet high and no more than 2 3/8 inches left between vertical slats.
Examine the wood on the floor of the deck or porch to make sure it is free of chipped or peeling paint, splinters, protruding nails or screws or loose boards. Spending a few moments on your hands and knees may prevent a trip to the doctor or emergency room.
Use a child gate, also known as a baby gate, to block all stairs off the deck. For the safest, most secure method, secure the gate directly to the deck posts rather than attempting to use the pressure-mount variety.
Outdoor electrical outlets are convenient for adults, but beg children to stick - or attempt to stick - objects in them. Purchase outlet safety covers or consider replacing the traditional outdoor electrical outlets with ground fault circuit interrupters, which are equipped with locking receptacle covers. For added security, arrange your outdoor furniture in a way that covers the outlets. As the old saying goes, out of sight, out of mind.
For more information and advice on deck railings, components and safety contact the Deck Doctor today. Serving Northern Virginia communities including Arlington, Herndon, McLean, Oakton and Vienna the experts at Deck Doctor provide high-quality custom desks and unmatched customer service.
