Children enjoy climbing, swinging, and sliding on the playground. It’s also beneficial to them! Playgrounds assist children in developing essential skills and maintaining healthy weights.
Public playgrounds account for approximately 75% of all non-fatal injuries. Climbers cause most injuries on public playgrounds, while swings cause most injuries at home. These statistics paint a bleak picture for children who lack the necessary skills and safety equipment.
Safety Tips to Keep Your Children Safe on Your Playground
Playing on a playground is one of the BEST parts of childhood, with swings, slides, playhouses, and so much more. Whether you have your playset in your backyard or go to a public park, kids must play safely while also having a good time!
You want your children to enjoy playing outside as much as you did when you were a kid, but you also want them to be safe. Simply remembering a few simple playground safety tips can ensure that your time outside (whether at the park or in your backyard) is safe and enjoyable.
Check Equipment Temperature
While it’s still cool outside, some metallic playground equipment might begin to swelter. It can lead to severe injuries in some situations. Many playgrounds still feature metallic slides and swing sets, and you may have one in your backyard.
The metallic surfaces of such slides and swing sets can grow quite hot if they are not shaded by the sun.
Keep Proper Spacing Between Playground Structures
If you have protective borders or guardrails installed around your playground equipment, ensure there is enough space between the playground structure and the bordering or rail guard. Too many playground structures crammed into a relatively small space is not a good idea.
Keep Watch on Drawstring
In terms of playground dangers, entanglements are ranked among the worst. They can appear on slides as well as sliding poles and swing top rails. If your children are wearing clothes with drawstrings, they may also be wearing foreign things such as skipping ropes, dog leashes, bungee cords, or lanyards that become tangled in playground equipment or scarves.
Supervision
Adults must supervise children at a playground to help prevent injuries. When using playground equipment, children of all ages require adult supervision, whether at a park, school, community center, a friend’s house, or home. Even older children are vulnerable to playground injuries.
Young children may be unaware of potentially hazardous situations and require the assistance of an adult to warn and protect them. You don’t have to follow a school-aged child through a playset every step of the way if you’re supervising. Toddlers and babies should also be kept separate from play areas designed for older children. It is simple to watch your child at the playground, and they will most likely be eager to demonstrate their abilities.
Survey Your Backyard To Avoid Hazards
Before your children go outside to play, gather any items that could endanger them, such as garden tools, ladders, hoses, and chemicals. Put these items in a safe place where your child or their friends will not be able to access them. Also, look for natural hazards such as holes, low tree limbs, thorns, and fire ant mounds in your yard. Check for stinging insect nests in outdoor play structures such as tree forts and playhouses, and regularly inspect sandboxes for bugs and animal droppings.
Check The Equipment and Ensure they are in good condition
This playground safety tips is also applicable to public parks. Poorly maintained playground equipment is not only less enjoyable, but it can also be dangerous for children to play on. Examine the swings for splintered wood, damaged swing seats, sharp edges on metal frames, sharp metal swing chains, and anything else that could endanger children.
Install a Fence
Fences with self-closing and self-latching gates can help keep your children and pets in your yard. If you are unable to install a wall, create well-defined boundaries for your children to play within. Equip your young children with a child-friendly GPS tracker for added peace of mind. These small high-tech devices can assist you in locating your child if they leave your yard.
Make Sure Area is Clean and Safe
If your children are playing in a public park or playground, carefully inspect the area around them for trash, broken glass, and other dangerous or unsavory objects. Unfortunately, not everyone respects children’s use of public spaces, so you must be cautious if you want your children to play there.
Use Precision While Grilling
Family cookouts are an all-American tradition, but grills can be hazardous to children. Before using your grill, move it away from play areas and draw a line that children cannot cross.
Maintain the Grounding Safety
When it comes to safety, the area beneath the play equipment can be just as important as the equipment itself. The existing grass does not provide the necessary protection for your children to avoid injuries. Cover the ground with a shock-absorbing material instead to lessen the impact if your child falls.
On home playgrounds, common surface materials include sand, rubber, and mulch. Provide a thick ground cover to absorb shock effectively; 9 to 12 inches of the material is required. Extend the ground cover at least 6 feet beyond the play structure’s perimeter.
Conclusion
Playgrounds are an essential part of growing up. Most adults remember swinging and sliding in the sunshine and fresh air fondly. A fun day of play does not have to be ruined by safety concerns. Outdoor space is essential for your child’s physical and social development. Following these safety tips can help ensure that your children have an accident-free experience with Mother Nature.
