4 Ways to Keep Kids Safe at the Playground

With the dog days of summer upon us and the on-going COVID-19 virus, kids and adults alike are always looking for ways to release some energy. The question is, is the playground you are bringing your kids to safe?

Here is what to check to make sure that your children are safe both at home and at the playground.

1. The surfaces: Playground surfaces should be made of loose fill, for example, engineered wood fiber or sand. Hard surfaces like asphalt can be detrimental to your child if he/she were to fall.
2. The crowd: If the park or playground is too crowded it may be best to find somewhere else to go. Maintain social distance to avoid the spread.
3. The equipment: Equipment should be no more than eight feet off the ground to avoid serious injury if a child were to fall.
4. Equipment is in disrepair: Chances are that if a swing is falling down or a slide is cracked there are other problem spots on the playground. These are important signs to take note of when determining if the playground is safe or not.
5. Clothing: Loose clothing is a common cause of strangulation at a playground are considered to be the #1 cause of playground related fatalities. Make sure your child does not have any dangling drawstrings on his/her coats or sweatshirts. Beware of the top of slides which can be an area where drawstrings are caught in gaps.

The above items are important things to be aware of when deciding whether or not your child should play at a particular playground, but they are not a substitute for parental supervision. Make sure you accompany your child to the playground and focus your attention on what they are doing to avoid a serious fall or injury.As the summer months are upon us, make sure you are aware of these issues when taking your kids out to enjoy the fresh air. If he/she happens to slip and fall, contact our firm.