Build a sailboat sandbox

Prepare the location for the sandbox by digging out any sod and levelling the ground. Lay down landscape fabric to block weed growth. If you're building with untreated construction lumber, as I did, put down a thin layer of sand over the whole area. This allows drainage away from the wood so it will last longer.

Next, find a helper or two and carry the sandbox into position. A pair of simple wooden catches on the fence holds the lid open during playtime. Finally, add about a third to half a yard of sand.

Once it's full, hand out some lemonade, hoist the Jolly Roger, and watch your kids set sail in their new sandbox.

Choosing safe sand
You can find play sand that is labelled “sandbox safe” at almost any hardware or garden centre. Many are either called sharp sand, which is more often used around playground equipment, and fine sand. As their names suggest, fine sand is softer and it holds more water, while sharp sand has coarser granules.

There has been a great deal of press in recent years about the safety of commercially available play sand. Most play sand in stores is not natural sand; much of it is derived from quarried quartz and contains crystalline silica. This is a common mineral, but it is also a known human carcinogen. Studies have shown that breathing in the dust of crystalline silica in large quanitites can cause silicosis, which is a serious and often fatal respiratory disease, and even lung cancer.

The State of California has added labels to its play-sand products that contain crystalline silica, warning of the possible side effects from overexposure. However, studies into the effects of crystalline silica in play sand are inconclusive due to the small amounts children are exposed to, as well as the need for long-term studies that follow a child's lifespan. The studies that show the harmful effects of crystalline silica all point to workers who are exposed to high amounts on a daily basis. Industries such as construction, sandblasting and mining are plagued with this problem.

There are alternatives to play sand containing crystalline silica. The website not only provides information on play sand, but also sells a product that is crystalline silica-free. Safe Sand is made from feldspar, which is a common material in ceramic production, and comes in a fine-grade and as a white play sand.

Jodi Avery MacLean suggests that whichever sand you decide to use in your sandbox, it's a good idea to replace it with fresh sand every two years.

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