There are outdoor playgrounds all across the country, and they are the perfect way for your child to build their creativity, core motor skills and develop friendships that could last a lifetime.
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It is also important to realise that there are many things that could potentially hurt your child as well. You need to think of the safety factors before you ever allow your child to visit a playground, and you must always supervise the child during play.
One of the most important factors in playground safety is the amount of “cushion” provided in the space. Many playgrounds have gone to the rubberized surface which is great, but many playgrounds still continue to use wood chips and other movable objects to keep children safe. The problem is that it is a difficult task for local authorities to keep up with the regulations regarding the depth of material around the playground itself. Most councils suggest that at least two inches of wood chips or rubberized chips should be used to prevent injuries to children if they fall or drop off of an apparatus. As a parent, you should be proactive and make sure to watch your child carefully – you many even want to contact the council’s recreation department to let them know that the playground depth is not what it should be.
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There are other safety concerns as well. Many of the bars that children climb on or the bridges that they run across can be very harmful if they are not taken care of. These areas need to be properly maintained for everyone’s safety. You should carefully inspect all of the equipment before you let your child play on it. Many children love to get across the monkey bars. If this is the case for your child, you really need to be right there with him or her in case your child falls. Many broken bones and more serious injuries result from kids falling off of the monkey bars.
You should also check to make sure that any wasps or bees have not made a home in the playground equipment. The nooks and crannies are a great place for these pests to make their home, and all it takes is one sting to make your child fall or have an allergic reaction. If you frequent playgrounds often, you may want to bring some insect killer with you to the playground.
The general rule of thumb is to be as safe as possible around playground equipment. You should also be aware that more children using the equipment will increase the likelihood of an accident. Teach your child how to use the slides correctly. Let your child know that it is not safe to climb up the slide the wrong way. Show them how to properly use all of the devices on the playground to keep them safe. Your child should only use the equipment the way it was intended to be used.
Guest feature from Ashley Madison who is a writer for Essential Fire Safety, UK’s leading online home fire safety store, featuring fire standpipes and hose supplies.