Tips For Parents On Safe Playground Play

A park playground is a perfect setting for both you and your child to enjoy. It gives you the opportunity to interact with your kids while promoting physical exercise, socialization, motor coordination, and most importantly imagination. It is rare that you see a child at a playground having no fun at all, ready to go home. If you think about it, playground equipment is simple a medley of bright colored, oversized abstract shapes constructed in a fashion that allows the child to climb on, into, around, and operate. They can imagine themselves to be pirates on a ship, robots, princesses, etc. A child's imagination is limitless.

There are a few things to consider before the fun begins. Here are some tips for you, the parent to consider when taking your child to the playground.

While your number one is to let the kids play it is not wise to distract yourself. Keep an eye on your kids if you aren't going to interact with them. In a matter of seconds an accident can happen, or worse, a child can be kidnapped by an adult predator. Unfortunately, public areas like this are easy targets for these types of people. An aware parent is a smart parent. Also make sure you have the stranger talk with your children before you go to the park.

Investigate the playground before you let your child run free. Are there any playground structures that look damaged or broken? Dilapidated or rusted to a degree that might compromise the structure? Make sure there are also no obstructive objects in or around the playground area such as glass, sharp rocks, rusted metal, or anything a child could harm themselves on.

Make sure you are bringing your child to play at an age appropriate playground area. Toddler swings are designed for toddlers as standard swings are designed for kids to grown-ups. Misuse of equipment will once again lead to accidents that might result in a visit to the emergency room.

There are often times playground rules posted. Review them with your child before they play. Children are forgetful but a few reminders certainly do not hurt.

Make sure your child only uses playground equipment properly. Slide down slides feet first only, and do not climb the slide. Big kids should not play on toddler equipment and vice versa. Do not climb outside of railing or on roofing. Do not stand on see-saws or spring riders.

If it is a hot day, check any playground equipment, especially metal before your child uses it to insure that they do not get burned.

We suggest that your child always wears proper shoes on a playground. Sneakers are ideal as their rubber sole protects them as well as others from an accidental kick. Do not allow your child to be barefoot in a public area.

Make sure your child does not lay their jackets, backpacks, or miscellaneous items in the path where other children may run. They can easily trip and hurt themselves.

Protect your child with sunscreen. Time really flies when you are having fun and piling on the sunscreen insures a sunburn free child.

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