When it comes to summertime fun, playgrounds are a popular choice for children. Even if you have a swing set in your backyard, a playground offers adventure and excitement of a different kind for your little ones. Unfortunately, there are times that that excitement is tempered by accident and injury. Here’s how to keep your child safe on the playground:
Safety Surfaces
Before you tempt your child with a new playground, take a close look at it. Your children will fall in love with any playground that they see. Research some of the playgrounds in your area on your own and choose the safest. The first thing that you should look at is the type of surface that the playground is built upon. Some of the safest materials for playgrounds surfaces include bonded rubber, synthetic turf and rubber tiles.
Equipment
When you are looking at the playground, make sure that the equipment looks to be in good repair. You shouldn’t see any bolts sticking out from support beams, cracks in slides or broken elements. If you notice these things, not only should you bring them to the attention of a park employee, but you should look for another park to take your children to.
Rules
Before you head to the playground, be sure that your children understand the rules that will govern their behavior. Your children should remain within your line of sight at all times. If the playground is a large one, plan on moving around the structures to keep a better eye on your kids. If the park is crowded, you can insist that your children utilize the buddy system or, in the case of having only one child, you can stay with your child as he/she plays.
Your children should know to keep their hands to themselves, never push or pull on another child using equipment, and to alert you to any misbehavior on the part of other kids. Your children should also understand that they are never, under any circumstances, to walk off with an adult other than yourself or their chaperone.
Playing
Playground equipment is meant to be used in a specific way in order to prevent injury. Make sure that your kids understand that they are not to stand on swings, hang from the underside of slides, or lie down or sit under or near any moving equipment.
If your children are wearing rubber-soled shoes, have them remove them before they go down the slide. Rubber-bottomed shoes can stick to the slide and, with the forward momentum of your child’s body, can cause spiral leg fractures.
Common sense is the name of the game when it comes to playground safety. Don’t assume that your children will know how to behave unless you provide instruction. By finding a safe playground, giving your children rules, and insisting that your little ones practice cooperation on the playground, you’ll ensure their safety to the best of your ability.