Tips On How To Prevent Playground-Related Injuries
When parents think of their child's safety, they often turn to the areas where the children love to spend most of their time. Children just love playgrounds, and it is also a good venue for them to release all their extra energy. A playground can be a fun place for kids, but parents need to be on guard because it can also be a place, where potential injuries can occur.
A good number of children are brought to the emergency room each year, for playground-related injuries. Research has shown that around 45% of these injuries are severe. Severe injuries can range from a fracture, internal injury, concussion, dislocation to amputation. On public playgrounds, injuries related to climbing equipments are most common, while swings are responsible for most injuries on playgrounds at home.
Parents should keep their senses on alert for any danger that may lay waiting in childrens' play areas. Playground equipments are prone to wear and tear, not only due to heavy use, but also of factors like extreme temperatures, heavy snow, and rainfall. It is then important to determine, if the playground in your area, is periodically checked for any hazards. If regular checks are done, it may help prevent maintenance-related injuries from occurring.
Always keep an eye on children who are younger than 5 years old. Parent must choose which playground equipments their child uses. A seesaw, for example if only fit for children over 3 years of age. Younger children may not be physically capable of playing with such equipments. They can use a toddler bucket swing instead. It has leg holes and does not wobble around as much as standard swings. Make sure that the swing seats are comfortable for your child. Those made plastic or rubber are ideal.
Concrete, or hard packed soil or grass grounds in play areas are also not safe for kids. The surface of the playground should be soft, or energy absorbent like sand, wood chips, or shredded rubber. If the playground equipment is made from wood, it should be smooth, and the material should be able to withstand weather changes. The entire area should also be spacious, to lessen the risk of accidents. The area must also be divided for active and quiet play.
Parents must make a point to talk to their children about playground safety measures. Tell them to keep away from swings when they are being used by others. When going up stairs or ladders, children need to be orderly. They need to quickly exit the landing of the slide in order to prevent crashes with other children. Keep an eye on your child when playing with new equipment to prevent injuries.
Feel the surface of the equipments before letting your child play, particularly if the weather is too hot. It is also important that your child wears the right clothes for play. Try not to use clothes with strings or hoods since these may get caught in the equipment. Fashion accessories like bracelets and necklaces must also be removed during play.
Children love playing especially in playgrounds where they can truly feel the best of their childhood. Although injuries may occur with active play, parents can help prevent these from occurring. After all, playgrounds are built to make children happy, so parents must not deprive them of that opportunity while they are still young.
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