Nowadays, thanks to advancements in technology, children have access to a wide variety of indoor activities. However, parents must not overlook the importance of physical activity and outdoor play for their children’s growth. Playgrounds may be a lot of fun for kids, and they can help them make new friends while also improving their coordination, motor skills, and cognitive abilities. Despite all of the advantages of playgrounds, it is critical to ensure that these areas are safe for children. According to the CDC more than 200,000 kids end up in the emergency room after suffering an injury in a playground. But do not worry, it is not necessary to be overprotective with children in order for them to have fun on the playground. Here are 5 simple tips to keep your children safe on the playground.
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Choose the right play area based on your child’s age
There are multiple kinds of playgrounds, each with its own set of games. Slides, swings, seesaws, sandboxes, monkey bars, spring riders, and playground climbers are some of the most typical recreational equipment seen at playgrounds. You will need to decide which games are appropriate for your child based on their age and abilities. Children do not see danger in the same way that adults do. Most kids think a big slide is a lot of fun, but they do not understand it could be too big for them and cause them to get hurt. Similarly, some monkey bars may be too high for some children, and they may get hurt if they fall from them. Some playgrounds have signs indicating the minimum age for children to play there, but if you do not see signs, common sense should be enough to decide if that playground is safe for your children.
Don’t forget the sunscreen
One advantage of outdoor activities is that children can catch some sun. A brief exposure to sunlight is beneficial to our health. Vitamin D is created, and it improves calcium absorption, resulting in healthier and stronger bones. However, spending too much time in the sun is harmful to one’s health. Because most parents take their children to the playground throughout the day, it is critical to always have sunscreen on hand, especially during summer time. Unprotected sun exposure for an extended period of time can result in sunburns, skin damage, eye damage, and even skin cancer. Melanin, a substance found in our skin, protects us from ultraviolet (UV) rays. Sunburns occur when UV exposure exceeds the level of protection provided by melanin. Doctors advise applying sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 that shields against both UVA and UVB radiation. The sun is at its brightest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If your children are playing outside during those hours, reapply sunscreen frequently.
Dress Your Child Appropriately
Children go to the playground to run and play, so clothe them appropriately. They must wear clothing that allows them to move freely while still protecting them in the event of a fall or other accidents. Avoid wearing lengthy or big garments that may lead them to trip or become entangled in something while playing. You may be tempted to put a scarf on your child during the winter, but this is not a smart idea. Scarves, hats, and hoodies with drawstrings are particularly hazardous because they can become entangled with play equipment and cause strangulation. Nylon and ski pants should be avoided since they might be particularly slippery. Going down the slide while wearing ski or nylon pants can be more risky because the travel speed is higher and it can lead to an injury. Finally, ensure that your child is wearing suitable footwear and that the shoes are on at all times while playing.
Safety with tricycles and other riding toys
If your children are riding tricycles, bicycles, skateboards or roller skates make sure they always wear a helmet. A significant concussion can be caused by falling and banging one’s head against the floor. If your child is too small to ride any of these ride-on toys, make sure they do not get too close to the bike-riding zones. Other children riding bicycles or skateboards may not be able to stop in time, resulting in an accident in which both children may be harmed.
Communicate with your children
Finally, it is critical to have a discussion with your children about the regulations that must be followed on the playground. They must understand what must be done and what must be avoided when playing in order to avoid serious injuries. Teach your children, if they are old enough, to distinguish between a safe and a harmful scenario. If they get hurt, assist them immediately and explain to them what could have been done to prevent the accident. It is also important to explain to your kids the importance of respecting other children in the playground. If other kids are using the swings they can play somewhere else in the meantime. They need to learn to share and interact with other kids in a friendly manner.
Conclusion
Playgrounds are definitely a good place for kids to make new friends and do some physical activity. However, safety is very important and all parents should take this matter very seriously. As you can see there are some very simple things that can be done that can greatly reduce the probabilities of your child getting hurt. Keep in mind that not all accidents can be avoided. Even if you took all the appropriate measures a mishap can happen. For example, equipment failure or a poorly maintained playground can lead to a serious child injury. Nonetheless, most of the time injuries can be avoided by just taking the right precaution and teaching kids to behave adequately in the playground.