Playground Equipment Safety
Here are some playground equipment safety tips to keep your little one safe at the park.
I have a saying: “My daughter keeps me girly, and my son keeps me young”. My son is so athletic. He loves anything that keeps his body moving. When he is at the playground, he tries to keep up with the older kids because he is “athletically mature”. Heck, when I was pregnant with my daughter, he was a 1 year old, so I was sliding down the slides with him. I had to because he was too young to slide down by himself. Can you imagine being at the park seeing an eight month pregnant woman on the top of the slide? Boy what a sight! But that is what I had to do so my little one can test and develop his physical capabilities. If your little one is like my son, you know that playing is in the nature of children. It is not something that they just do. Oh no. Playing is good for children because this is how they strengthen their bodies. It is through play that a little one develops muscle coordination and self confidence. But we parents must teach our kids about playing safely. And most playground equipment safety rules are about teaching common sense to little ones. So here are some playground equipment safety tips that you can teach your little one. Swings – Up, up, and away!
My daughter loves the swing. Sometimes she tries swinging on the “big girl” swing, but most of the time she is on the “baby swing”. And even though she is in the “baby swing”, she loves to go higher and higher. However, she knows there are certain things that she should not do. Here are some things I have taught her to keep her safe. - Do not twist the swing chains. This may lessen the strength of the chain.
- NEVER walk in front of a moving swing. This prevents getting hit by the person on the swing.
- One child per swing seat cuts down on accidentally falling off of the swing.
- Only swing on dry swings. Wet surfaces are slippery.
- Swing sitting down to prevent falls.
- To cut down on the chance of hurting someone, do not swing empty seats.
Slides – The Electric Slide
There are many types of slides. They can be covered or uncovered, made of steel or plastic, bumpy or smooth, curving or straight, and with or without a jump at the end. They can range from 4 feet to 12 feet. Whatever slide your little one prefers, it is best not to:- Slide down head first.
- Climb on the outside of the slide. Slides are for sliding, not for climbing.
- Walk up a slide. Someone could be sliding down.
- Slide down in groups. Only one child should be on the slide platform at a time.
- Slide down a hot slide. Always touch the slide first to make sure it is not too hot. If it’s hot to the touch, it is too hot to slide down.
Climbing Equipment – Climbing the Walls!
I think every kid likes to climb. From the ruff and rugged type to the dainty ones, little ones love to climb. But it can be challenging. And if your little one is like me, it can be one of the hardest playground equipment to tackle. So it is important to teach your little one to: - Make sure there is a safe way down in case they can't complete the climb.
- Use both hands.
- Make sure to start on the same side as everyone else, and move across in the same direction.
- Always look before you jump off equipment.
- When climbing down, watch for children who are climbing up.
- Never push or roughhouse.
Seesaw – Up and down
The seesaw requires a team effort. And let’s face it. Little ones under the age of 5 will not get this concept. Therefore, the seesaw is not recommended for kids under the age of 5 unless it has a spring-centered device. Here are some tips that you should teach your little one before they get on a seesaw. - Kids should hold on tightly with both hands.
- Only have one child per seat. If the weight of both children are not even, do not compensate by putting another child on the same seat.
- Never put your feet under the seesaw.
- Always sit facing each other.
- Stand back from a seesaw when it is in use.
In order for kids to be effectively safe at the playground, adult supervision is required. Adult supervision can help prevent injuries by making sure kids are properly using the playground equipment. And if an accident occurs, an adult is there to immediately administer first aid.Another part of effective supervision is to always have a clear view of your little ones. Make sure the playground is designed in such a way that you can clearly see and hear your children while they play. Some other things to consider before your little one plays on a playground are: - All playgrounds are not created equal. It is best for your little one to play in an area that is appropriate for his/her age. Children 5 years old and younger should play in an area that is designated for preschoolers. These areas have equipment that is closer to the ground than the equipment in the older kids’ area.
- Is it safe? When at the playground, take a look at the equipment your little one will get on. Check to make sure it is anchored securely to the ground. Also check for broken, cracking, sharp, or rusted parts. Equipment made from plastic or rubber is safest.
- Space invaders. Play structures that are 30 inches high or more, should be spaced at least 9 feet apart.
Equipment with moving parts like seesaws and swings should be in a separate area. - Skimming the surface. The best playground surface is one that has at least 12 inches of loosely filled wood chips, mulch, sand, pea gravel, or shredded rubber.
There shouldn’t be any spaces that could trap a child’s body part. In essence, all openings should be at less than 3 ½ inches or wider than 9 inches. - Dressed for success! While playing, your little one should not wear clothing with a string. This includes drawstrings, scarves, and necklaces. These things can strangle a child.
- Don’t forget to wear sunscreen. Skin can burn, even on cloudy days.
Playing outside is SOOO much fun for little ones. To keep the fun going, safety must not be ignored. Always practice playground equipment safety to reduce the risk of injuries.
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