12 Tips To Minimize Injuries In Your Playground

As a parent, you want to do everything you can to keep your children safe. That includes ensuring their safety when they are playing on the playground. As much as we would like to believe that playgrounds are always safe for our children, the fact is that dangers are lurking in every nook and corner. According to the Child Accident Prevention Foundation of Australia, "more children die of injury than of cancer and asthma combined." There is no doubt that playgrounds are a great way for children to get some exercise and fresh air. However, if they are not properly managed, playgrounds can also be a source of injuries.

Playground equipment owner Anthony Swain understands that parents want nothing more than to keep their kids safe. Unfortunately, playground injuries are all too common. Each year there are more than 68,000 emergency room visits due to playground-related injuries. Most of these injuries are minor, but some can be serious or even life-threatening. That is why it is so important to take steps to prevent them.

While parents may not always be there to protect them, there are steps we can take to help prevent accidents and injuries.

1. Check for hazards before allowing your children to play. Look for sharp edges, loose hardware, and trip hazards. Make sure they are repaired or removed before letting your kids loose on the playground.

2. Choose appropriate playground equipment for the age of your child and his or her abilities. Slides and swings are great for younger kids, while monkey bars and climbing walls are better suited for older kids.

3. Inspect playground surfaces regularly. Make sure they are free of debris, holes, and other trip hazards. Wood chips, mulch, sand, and rubber mats are all good options for cushioning falls.

4. Supervise your children while they are playing. This way you can intervene if they start to play too rough or get too close to hazardous areas.

5. Teach your children to use playground equipment safely. Show them how to go down slides with their feet first, swing without pushing others off, and so on.

6. Encourage healthy play habits like taking turns and sharing toys. This will help reduce the risk of fights and injuries from roughhousing.

7. Promote good hygiene on the playground. Make sure your kids wash their hands before and after playing and pack antibacterial wipes to clean off equipment as needed.

8. Dress your children for play. Avoid loose clothes that could get caught on equipment, and opt for closed-toe shoes instead of sandals or flip-flops.

9. Apply sunscreen and insect repellent before heading to the playground. This will help protect your kids from harmful UV rays and bug bites.

10. Bring along a first-aid kit in case of minor injuries. Band-aids, antibiotic ointment, and ice packs can all come in handy.

11. Have a plan for dealing with more serious injuries. Know where the nearest hospital is and how to reach them in an emergency.

12. Keep up-to-date on playground safety information and guidelines. The Child Accident Prevention Foundation of Australia offers a variety of resources on its website.

If your child does suffer a playground injury, do not panic. First, assess the situation and see if it requires immediate medical attention. If not, try to comfort your child and clean the wound. Apply pressure if necessary to stop any bleeding. And finally, keep an eye on the injury for signs of infection. Playground injuries may be common, but with a little bit of prevention, they can be easily avoided.

As the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. When it comes to playgrounds, this could not be more true. While accidents can and do happen, there are steps that you can take to minimize the risk of injuries occurring on your playground. By following these tips, you can help prevent playground injuries and ensure that your children have a safe and enjoyable experience on the playground.