Children spend dozens of hours on playground equipment each year, whether it's at the park or at school. And each year, more than 200,000 children visit the emergency room for injuries sustained on playground equipment, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Taking a few steps to help ensure your child's safety helps prevent injuries and might prevent a trip to the hospital.
Inspect the Equipment
Check for loose objects on the ground or on the equipment, as well as faulty, loose or damaged parts. Playgrounds should have a relatively soft landing surface underneath all equipment, such as synthetic rubber or wood chips. Don't let your child play on a playground with concrete or asphalt beneath the playing surface. Make sure there are no spaces between bars or sets of equipment that measure between 3½ and 9 inches. These spaces are large enough for kids to fit their heads in and become trapped.
Review Safety Rules
Kids should know all the proper safety rules for playing on playground equipment. Jumping off the top of structures such as slides or elevated platforms above a few feet, roughhousing, going down slides backwards or upside down and throwing objects are unsafe on the playground. Teach kids not to jump off the swings and ask for help if they're in a situation where they feel uncomfortable, such as a slide that's too high for them.
No Bike Helmets
Having your child wear her bike helmet on the playground might seem to make sense in case of a fall, but they present more of a choking hazard than a deterrent against head injuries. Kids can get their helmets stuck in bars and other objects and choke on the strap. Make sure your child takes off her helmet before playing on any piece of playground equipment.
Supervise Children
Parents can easily become distracted chatting with other parents, talking on the cell phone or reading a book, but close supervision is essential even for older children. A child caught in a piece of equipment can choke within a matter of seconds. Always keep an eye on your children, and pay attention to blind spots in the equipment where you might not be able to see your child, such as in tubes or around corners. Remove any drawstrings in your child's clothing as these can present a choking or entrapment hazard.
