Playgrounds are great places for kids if the plaground is up to safety standards.
Playgrounds are great places for kids to exercise, build coordination, make new friends, and have fun. But as with any children's activity, parents and caregivers should be careful to keep it a safe experience. Not only do we need to keep our kids safe from injury, we need to be alert to keep them from getting lost or being abducted.
Before you turn your child loose on the playground, take a few moments to examine the equipment and the area. Is the equipment in good repair? Are there any broken pieces, sharp edges? Is the playground equipment age-appropriate for your child? Look at the material underneath the equipment as well. Older playgrounds may have nothing but grass and dirt, but most newer play areas have a layer of material such as soft sand, mulch, or foam to cushion falls. Is the playground clean, or is there a lot of litter? Young children will have to be watched carefully because they might pick up pieces of trash. Broken glass is a major hazard, and there have been reports of finding horrible things littering play areas.
Make sure your child is dressed appropriately, as well. Unless the play area requires it, children should never be allowed to take shoes off. Drawstrings on clothing can be a serious hazard, because they can catch on play equipment and strangle the child. Any loose clothing should be avoided for this reason.
Other children at the playground may cause problems too. If your child is small, try to go at a time when the playground will be less crowded, or used by kids his own age. Older children may be impatient with little ones, or perhaps lead them to try activities they aren't ready for, and it's usually more fun for little ones to be with their own age group. Mornings are the best time to encounter other preschoolers and toddlers, and evenings are usually the best time to find the playground empty.
When selecting your favorite playground, take into consideration how easy it will be to watch your children and keep them from wandering away. Is the area surrounded by a fence of some sort, with only one way in or out? Is it in an open space, and relatively easy to spot people coming or going, or is it located near other structures or a wooded area? Not only do you have to worry about your child leaving the playground, there's always the risk of abduction. Is the playground equipment itself built in an open configuration, or are there walls and other structures your child can hide in? Depending on the equipment and its surroundings, you may need to stay with your child and keep him in sight. Don't take more kids to the playground than you can adequately supervise.
Most playgrounds are relatively safe areas for kids to burn energy and stretch muscles, but parents should never assume that their child won't be at risk. Examine the equipment and surroundings, and make sure your child dresses properly. Visit play areas that are age appropriate for your child's level of development and try to make the trip during times when most kids will be the same age. Keep an eye on your child as much as you can. Better yet, stay with the child and play together.
