Being a new parent is a scary thing. But once you have a toddler that is going to the playgrounds you will learn a new definition of scary. To avoid any disasters from occurring while playing on the playgrounds, here are some of the most important safety precautions you should take.
Ensure the Playground Is Safe for Play
The first thing that you need to ensure is that the playground is safe to be played on. Take a miniature to walk through the area and ensure that it is 100 per cent safe for your child to play on. Look for any obvious hazardous signs such as syringes, glass or sharp things. Another thing that you should look out for is the flooring option. Make sure that it is a safe material such as rubber, sand, mulch or wood chips. This will ensure that even if they do fall over, they won’t get severe injuries. Avoid using playgrounds that are grass, concrete or asphalt as they don’t have any absorbing capabilities and they will lead to severe injuries.
Dress Your Kids Appropriately
Something that not a lot of new parents don’t realise is that clothes play a significant role when it comes to safety on the playground. That is why you need to ensure that your kids are dressed in appropriate clothes to keep them not only safe but comfortable. Make sure they don’t have any jewellery on them or any clothes that have drawstrings that can get caught into something and pose strangulation hazards.
Be Mindful of the Weather
Another thing that might seem obvious, but is a struggle for new parents is dressing kids properly. In most cases, kids don’t need to have beanies and a ton of clothes on, especially when they are running around. Another thing that you have to keep in mind is when it is extremely hot the playground equipment can burn their skin. If you touch the surface and it feels too hot to touch, find a different area to play in. Always play in a partial shade if possible as you don’t want your child to suffer from a heat stroke or get a severe sunburn.
Always Keep a Close Eye on Your Kids’ Play
When you are a parent, you understand that kids are very peculiar and cunning little humans. They thrive on discovering and experimenting. But that can often end up badly if they are not supervised. This doesn’t mean that you should run along with them and never leave their side, this means that you should pay attention to what they are doing while playing. Make sure that they are always in sight and they shouldn’t talk to strangers.
Make Sure They’re Using Age-Appropriate Equipment
Something, where a lot of new parents do wrong, is letting their kids use playground equipment that is not age-appropriate. Kids that are under the age of five will require play equipment that is intended for kids that age because of their size as well as skills. That will drastically decrease the risk of any serious or even fatal injury occurring. Always make sure that they are playing on quality playground equipment as you don’t want them to get cut or stuck in something that is bad quality.
Talk to Your Children
Possibly the best precaution that you can take is talking to your kids before heading out. Make sure that they are aware of all the rules that they need to follow as well as what is the right way to behave while playing on equipment with other kids on it. But don’t sugar-coat it, make sure that they understand all the potential hazards that can happen if they don’t follow the rules. If your child is younger, you can look for playgrounds that have educational toys included in them and play along with them. In most toddler parks, adults will be allowed on the playground along with their kids.
Carry a First Aid Kit
When you are a parent, along with all the things that you already need to carry in your bag you will need to have your personal first aid kit. That way you will be prepared for any situation that can happen on the playground. You need to have things that will provide a primary solution until you reach assistance from a professional. That is why you need to have things like bug spray, alcohol wipes, sunblock, eye dressing, band-aids as well liquid stitches if you can get your hands on them.
Even though it might be a scary adjustment, keep in mind that playgrounds are there to provide kids with a way of burning energy, breathing in the fresh air all while putting their golden minds to work. Children learn through playing, that is why you need to ensure that you are letting them do that in a safe and efficient environment. By understanding all the safety precautions, you should take as a parent, you will help your kids develop amazing skills while being as safe as they can.