Kids can get some exercise and have a lot of fun when they participate in outdoor activities. Particularly during the summer months, kids can spend hours each day on the playground, at the pool or just kicking a ball around in the backyard. However, outdoor activities can be hazardous to children if they are not safety conscious. Teaching kids about outdoor safety can help reduce the risk of injury.
Playground Safety
If your child enjoys climbing, swinging and sliding at a playground, then there are some safety precautions you can take. Check all the equipment to ensure it is not broken and that it is working properly. In addition, make sure there are guard rails in the appropriate areas to prevent kids from falling off equipment. The surface of the playground should be made of wood chips, sand or a rubber material in case there are falls. Explain to your child how to properly use playground equipment.
Water Safety
Kids can have a lot of fun swimming and splashing around in the water. However, if your child does not understand water safety, then swimming can be extremely hazardous to her health. First and foremost, your child should always be supervised by an adult when she is swimming or near the water. Make sure your child swims in the shallow end of a pool or lake until she is skilled at swimming. Tell your child not to run around a pool and not to dive in any body of water unless it is deep enough for diving.
Sun Safety
No matter what outdoor activity your child does, he will be in the sunshine much of the time. Overexposure to the sun can lead to serious sunburns and eventually skin cancer. One way you can help prevent these kinds of skin problems is to make sure your child wears sunscreen when he is outside. The Sun Safety Alliance says that kids younger than 6 should wear a sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 30. Older children should use a sunscreen with at least an SPF of 15. A hat and clothing can also protect your child's skin from the sun's rays.
Traffic
Drivers can zip by your house at high speeds and they may not be able to stop if your child wanders into the street. Tell your child to stay away from the road at all times when he is playing in the front yard. Set up boundaries around your house that your child is not supposed to go beyond. Explain to your child that he is not to retrieve any Frisbees, balls or other toys that go past the boundaries.
Stranger Danger
Strangers can also be potentially dangerous for your child when she is outside. To lessen the threat of an abduction, talk to your child about strangers. Tell your child not to go anywhere with a stranger no matter what the stranger says. Emphasize the importance of yelling "help" or "stranger danger" and running away if she feels threatened by a stranger.
Supervision
Whether you child is swinging, swimming, playing soccer or doing any other activity outside, one of the best ways to help him stay safe is to keep any eye on him. Kids can sometimes forget or ignore safety precautions. With the appropriate supervision, you can make sure your child is following the rules and staying away from dangerous areas.
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