Playground Safety

Playing on the playground is one of the most fun and enjoyable activities for young children. However parents and guardians need to cognizant of the safety measures and regulations that must be followed in order to ensure child safety.

Damaged or defective equipment, unsafe surfaces and irresponsible behavior can present serious risks to children on playgrounds. You can keep your kids safe on the playground safe by knowing what to look for when you take them out to play.

Adult supervision is essential to ensure that children only play in safe, structured environments. Adults can keep children engaged in safe behavior and provide assistance if any problems arise. Before having the kids use a playground make sure that supervising adults can clearly see wherever the kids go and whatever they do. Kids should only be playing on safely designed areas. Surfaces should be soft, sanitary and free of garbage or debris. Equipment should be designed to accommodate three different age groups; under 2, 2- to 5-year-olds (preschoolers), and 5- to 12-year-olds (school-age kids). The equipment for each age group should be separated so young children aren%u2019t harmed by using equipment that is too advanced for them. Different pieces of equipment should be widely spaced and properly maintained so that depreciating equipment doesn%u2019t put kids at risk. It is imperative that parents proactively keep their kids away from unsafe playground equipment.

Children must be taught the importance of playground safety. They need to learn not to roughhouse, keep bags, backpacks, bikes and be weary of the weather%u2019s effect on equipment safety. Appropriate playing and activity attire is important to prevent injury. Kids need to use equipment with care and consideration and they should be taught exactly how to start and stop using each apparatus.


http://kidshealth.org/parent/fitness/safety/playground.html