A day at the playground can be a fun way to
spend time outdoors with your child and also help them expend some of their (what
may often feel like) limitless energy. Playgrounds are a great place for children to
socialize with others and can make for a cost-effective birthday party spot.
But as fun as they are for your children,
playgrounds can also pose some serious safety hazards. Whether you’re a
frequent visitor to the neighborhood playground or thinking about installing
some play equipment in your own yard, you’ll want to keep these playground
safety tips in mind to keep your child safe as they have fun.
Assessing the Playground
Not all playgrounds are created equally when
it comes to safety. Look for these features and assess the safety of your
chosen playground before sending your child out to play:
●
Ground coverage matters - If your child falls
while playing, you want to make sure it’s on a soft surface. Look for
playgrounds that feature wood chips, mulch, sand or pea gravel. Stay clear of
areas full of holes, tree stumps or other potential tripping hazards. You’ll
also want to keep an eye out for dangerous litter left behind by previous
players and their parents, such as broken glass or cans with sharp edges.
●
Fall-prevention features - Check out the
elevated play areas and make sure they all have hand or guardrails to keep your
child from falling off.
●
Unwanted dangers - Give the equipment a
once-over to make sure there aren’t any sharp edges or bolts protruding from
the equipment.
Age-Appropriate Play
As a parent, you know that not all activities
are suitable for all ages. Use these tips to make sure your child’s play is
safe for their age group:
●
Adult supervision - No matter what age your
child is, it’s important that you’re always keeping an eye on them while they
are playing in a public space.
●
Check the handbook - In case you’re looking
for more information on what playground equipment and activities are
appropriate for your child based on their age, you can check out the Public
Playground Safety Handbook.
Be Mindful of Sun Exposure
●
Lather on the SPF - Before heading out to the
playground, make sure your child is protected from the sun’s rays by applying a
healthy amount of sunscreen. Be sure to use an appropriate level of SPF for the
fullest protection (the higher the SPF number, the better the protection).
●
Check the equipment - Unfortunately, many
playgrounds are not well shaded which can cause the equipment to get pretty hot
between the hours of 10 am and 2 pm when the sun is most intense. Before
sending your child out to the playground, put your hand to the metal equipment
and make sure it isn’t too hot for your child to play on.
●
Water, water and more water - Hydration is
always important, regardless of the season or temperature but it certainly
becomes more important in the heat of the summer. Bring a cooler of healthful drinks
with you to the playground and occasionally interrupt your child’s play time
for water breaks.
After-Play Care
Once your child has had a fun round of play on
the playground, there are a few follow-up steps you should take to insure their
health and safety:
●
Buckle up - Did you drive to
the playground? Here are some tips for making sure your child
safety seat is properly installed.
●
Tend to minor injuries - If your child fell
while playing and scraped their knee, make sure to treat the affected area with
antibiotics and a bandage. Similarly, if they come home with a bug bite or two, treat the bites with
anti-itch cream to reduce scratching.
●
Refuel - Chances are, your child just expended
a lot of energy. Make sure all play sessions are followed by a healthy snack
such as fruit, cheese and whole grain crackers or yogurt, and plenty of water.
●
Wash those paws - The first thing everyone in
your family should do upon returning from any
destination is wash their hands. Doing so will help your family reduce the number of germs everyone is bringing into the household.
This is especially important for your child who has just been playing on the
playground and touching surfaces that are also touched by dozens or hundreds of
other children. You may also consider bringing hand sanitizer to the playground
with you so that you can eradicate those germs right off the bat.
Following these playground safety tips can go
a long way in keeping your child's play fun and injury-free.
But as you probably know, outdoor play doesn’t
have to be limited to the playground! Your own backyard can also make for a fun
and engaging play area for your children. Click on the button below to learn
more about making your backyard as safe as possible for your young explorers.
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