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Texas Backyard Safety

Practical tips for pools, grills, and trampolines.

By Patrick Reardon

Published June 16, 2026

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Illustration of things going wrong in a backyard.

Spending summer in the backyard is a way of life for Texans: pool parties, barbecues, and other get-togethers can turn a scorcher of a day into an event to remember. But the most common backyard pastimes can quickly go from entertainment to emergency. Here are a few practical backyard safety tips for pools, grills, and trampolines.

Pools and Spas

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that more than 4,000 unintentional drownings occur annually in the United States. Drowning is the leading cause of death in the nation for children ages 1–4; in Texas alone in 2025, 88 children ages 17 and under drowned.

As a homeowner, it’s your responsibility to keep your pool area safe. Here are a few precautions you should take:

Erect a fence 4 feet or higher around the pool. Many local regulations require this. Check with your HOA in case there are other safety requirements your pool needs to meet.

Lock your pool gate. Use a padlock or other locking device (not just a lift latch) to keep little ones from accessing the pool deck when playing in the yard.

Keep floats and toys out of the pool. This could lure unattended toddlers into the water. Consider keeping pool toys in a shed or storage container, as they could pose tripping hazards if kept near the pool’s edge.

Supervise kids at play in the water. Never allow children under 14 to be inside the pool area without an adult present.

Grills and Firepits

Every summer, Texas experiences a surge in fires caused by grills that can quickly escalate into wildfires and spread across neighborhoods, into forests, and beyond. This is partly because most Texans start firing up the barbecue in summer, but it’s also because it’s the driest time of year, making our communities more susceptible to wildfire ignition.

Here are a few tips to always keep in mind when it’s grilling season in your backyard:

Clean your grill. In roughly 20% of grill fires, the grill had not been cleaned of grease or fat buildup. Learn how to properly clean a grill in our guide.

Position the grill at least 10 feet from your house. This goes for deck railings, trees, wooden fences, and any other combustible objects in your yard.

Keep kids and pets at least 3 feet away. This reduces accidental jostling of the grill and spreading of embers (and keeps little ones safe).

Be especially careful with gas grills. Check the tank for leaks, and always keep it upright, securely connected, and positioned away from heat sources or open flames.

Trampolines

It’s all fun and games until someone flies off the trampoline. Statistics show that upward of 100,000 trampoline injuries occur nationally each year, many of which result in hospital visits. One source estimates that between 2002 and 2011, trampoline injuries accounted for $1 billion in emergency room visits.

Of course, the thrill of a trampoline can behard to resist. If you can’t help but have one in your backyard, implement these rules to protect your kids and guests:

Max two people bouncing at once. Around 75% of trampoline injuries occur when there are multiple children on the trampoline.

No toys on the trampoline. Landing on a ball or other toy is a great way to crack a bone or get a bruise.

No water. It might sound fun, but a slippery trampoline is a recipe for twisted ankles.

Don’t allow older kids to bounce with toddlers. The heavier the bouncer, the higher the bounce-ee. Rotate out age/weight groups.

Regularly check springs and the net. If a spring comes undone while bouncing, you could drop through the trampoline like a trapdoor. Always check the nets and pads for wear and replace as needed.

Make this summer a safe one all around with even more of our summer safety guides.

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