When you bring your child to the playground, it is always with the intention of allowing them to take a break and enjoy being a child. To hear their peals of laughter and giggles as they enjoy the slides, swings, and seesaw can be priceless. However, these beautiful sounds can easily be replaced by tears, cries, and agony when kids get hurt from playground equipment.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as many as 56% of playground-related injuries sustained by kids brought to the emergency department are fractures and abrasions, with many of these injuries happening on public playgrounds. While these injuries may be minor, a good percentage of them can also be fatal. In Texas, children dying from traumatic brain injuries prompt their parents to consult a top ranking San Antonio wrongful death lawyer to ensure that their kids will get the justice they deserve. It can be disheartening to have to go through such a process. This is why parents should follow these steps to ensure their kids can have fun while staying safe:
Check the Overall Safety of the Playground
Before you let your kids play, make sure to check for any unsafe areas where your child could possibly get hurt. Check if the swing chains are intact, and ensure that common surfaces don't have any debris such as broken glass, used syringes, or nails that can cause injuries when stepped on. While doing so, check if the safety surface is made of shock-absorbing material that can cushion your kids in case of a fall. As much as possible, do not allow your children to play in areas with asphalt, dirt, concrete, or grassy surfaces.
Use Age-Appropriate Playground Equipment
Kids like to explore, and you should make sure that they don't venture out to play with equipment that's inappropriate for their age. For instance, do not let your three-year-old play on slides meant for older children. The age-appropriateness of these equipment depends on their size and developmental level.
Younger kids are prone to suffer from serious injuries when they use play areas designed for older kids with more advanced skills. The same is true for older kids playing in equipment designed for younger ones. Swings, for instance, may be designed to hold kids with lesser weight can cause heavier kids to fall and hit their heads.
Wear Clothes Appropriate for Play
Whenever you are bringing your child to play, make sure to dress them up appropriately. While your daughter looks cute in a long dress and doll shoes, it can be unsafe for them to wear these clothes when going out to play. For one, they may step on their dress and trip. As much as possible, let them wear rubber shoes, long pants or leggings, and a long-sleeved shirt. When it is cold outside, have a jacket ready. Do not make them wear anything on their necks since it increases the risk for strangulation while playing.
Supervise During Play
Whenever our kids go out and play, the idea is to let them enjoy while parents can take a breather, but you should never let your guard down, as accidents can happen anytime. Be ready to attend to your child to prevent any severe injuries.
As parents, it is our role to make sure our kids are protected at all times. Playgrounds can be a fun activity for your kids as long as they remain safe.
