As the weather gets warmer, you’re probably spending more time outdoors. If you have kids, playgrounds offer a great chance for them to exercise their bodies and brains. They also provide an opportunity for unstructured play, which is important for their development.
While skinned knees and scraped elbows are common, more serious injuries can occur on the playground. Follow these tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics to keep play time safe and fun!
Find Play Equipment That’s Just Right
Look for a playground with equipment for your child’s age, abilities, and size. Some parks or playgrounds have designated equipment for babies and toddlers. Using play equipment that’s the correct size prevents damage to the equipment from bigger kids trying to use equipment that’s too small. Smaller kids trying to use equipment designed for older kids might have trouble reaching and climbing.
Avoid playgrounds with hard surfaces such as concrete or asphalt. Wood chips, mulch, sand, pea gravel, or safety-tested rubber offer a shock absorbing surface to help reduce injuries from falls.
Check for any sharp points or edges, rust, or peeling paint. Check wooden structures for nails or screws sticking out. If you see these signs of damage on play equipment, notify the park or playground manager. Avoid playing on equipment that shows these signs of damage.
Climbing Equipment
Climbing helps kids build strength, coordination, and depth perception. But it can also sometimes be nerve-wracking to watch as a parent or caregiver!
To prevent falls or kids getting caught on climbing equipment, the AAP recommends:
- Platforms more than 30 inches higher than the ground intended for school-aged kids should have guardrails or barriers.
- Stairs, steps, and rungs on playground ladders should be evenly spaced.
Vertical and horizontal spaces such as the ones between cargo net ropes should be less than 3.5 inches wide or more than 9 inches wide to prevent a small child’s head from getting trapped.
Children shouldn’t wear or play with anything that could get caught on play equipment and become a strangulation hazard. This includes shirts with drawstrings and necklaces. Keep jump ropes and pet leashes away from the play equipment.
Slides and Swings
Metal and plastic slides can get very hot from the sun, potentially burning a child’s hands and legs. Look for playgrounds where slides are shaded on hot, sunny days, or wait to use the slide when it’s cooler.
Teach your child to go down the slide feet first to prevent head injuries. They should also make sure anyone in front of them is all the way off the slide before they go. Don’t go down the slide with your child on your lap; research shows that children’s legs often get caught and injured this way. Check the base of the slide to make sure there are no rocks, glass, toys, sticks, or debris that could get in the way of a safe landing.
Swing sets should be deeply and securely anchored to prevent tipping. There should be at least 24 inches of space between swings. Teach kids not to run in front of or behind swings when other children are swinging. Make sure open “s” hooks on swing chains are closed to form a figure 8. Make sure kids learn not to swing on their tummies or jump off the swings.
Adult Supervision is Key
Adult guidance is the best way to prevent injuries. In fact, lack of supervision is linked with nearly half of playground-related injuries. So get outside and enjoy the playground, but keep an eye out for kids using equipment incorrectly!
If you or a loved one has been injured, contact the Schuerman Law office today. Schuerman Law has been working with personal injury claims for over 40 years. John Schuerman will compassionately advocate for injured individuals as well as their families while fighting for full compensation of their claims. Schuerman Law offers evening and weekend appointments in addition to home and hospital visits. Schedule a free consultation today by calling 1-800-274-0045.
