Healthy Habits: Playground Safety

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It’s summertime! School is out and your children are itching to get outside and play. Playgrounds (or play sets) are one of the most popular outdoor fun options for kids in the summer, but as fun as they are, there is always a potential for injury.

According to the National Program for Playground Safety, over 200,000 children are injured on playgrounds in America every year. Although these injuries are not life threatening, some of them are major accidents that require emergency medical attention and hospitalization.

For a kid, there is nothing worse than having to spend your entire summer in an arm cast, so whether your children are playing on the backyard play set or hanging out at the local park, make sure to follow these safety guidelines.

-       Before playing, make sure there is no damaged equipment. All bolts should be tight, S-hooks completely closed, wood planks nailed down, equipment secured safely to the ground, surfaces are smooth (no splintering or rust), etc.

-       Make sure children have adult supervision at all times, especially younger children.

-       Avoid playgrounds that are not clean and are littered with trash.

-       Avoid hard playground surfaces, such as grass, dirt, pebbles, asphalt or concrete. These types of surfaces do not provide a soft landing for falls.

-       Watch out for any ropes or hanging pieces of clothing that could get caught in equipment and cause accidental strangulation.

-       Make sure that children play on age-appropriate equipment.

-       Sometimes playground equipment is made from material that becomes very hot in high heat. To prevent burns, check the equipment’s surface temperature before allowing children to play on them.

In addition to these playground safety guidelines, outdoor play in the summertime also means keeping an eye on the heat. Temperatures at or above 90 degrees can be dangerous to the health of young children. Consider playing inside or in the pool on days that are really hot, and be sure your children drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration.

And as always, don’t forget the importance of applying and reapplying sunscreen when playing outdoors. As a general rule of thumb, you should reapply your child’s sunscreen every two hours. When swimming, it is best to reapply every hour.

You can also consider an indoor playground san antonio, that is designed with safety as a top priority, offering a controlled and supervised environment for children to play in. Unlike outdoor playgrounds, indoor facilities are not exposed to the elements, reducing the risk of accidents caused by slippery surfaces or extreme weather conditions.

A freelance writer with a specialization in all things construction, Kristie Lewis writes about everything from working in the field to choosing the best construction management schools. For more information, contact her at Kristie.Lewis81@gmail.com.

Reference:

http://playgroundsafety.org/