How to Keep a Child Safe at the Playground

Playgrounds are full of entertainment for kids, but they are also full of potential danger. Playground injuries send more than 200,000 kids to the ER yearly, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Falls cause most of the injuries, but kids are also at risk for strangulation on equipment, tripping, burns from hot surfaces and cuts from sharp objects. Parents can prevent playground injuries by choosing safe areas, supervising play and teaching kids how to behave.

Instructions

    • 1

      Inspect the playground before you let your child play, especially if you've never been to the play area before. Look for a soft surface -- the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends wood chips, rubber or sand -- under the play equipment, railings on raised surfaces and plenty of space between equipment. Check for entrapment risks between bars. The space should either be less than 3 1/2 inches or more than 9 inches, accord to Kids Health.

    • 2

      Identify potential dangers, such as loose boards or screws, sharp corners, tripping hazards or broken equipment. Avoid areas of the playground that are damaged, or find a different playground. Report any damage to the organization that manages the park -- often this is the city parks and recreation department.

    • 3

      Test the temperature of the playground surfaces if it is a warm day to avoid burns to your child's skin. Even plastic can get too hot for a young child.

    • 4

      Remove any clothing or accessories from your child that could become caught in the equipment. Examples include hoods, strings or backpacks. Have your child wear close-toed shoes to protect her feet as she plays.

    • 5

      Direct your child to a portion of the playground appropriate for her age. Many playgrounds have two or more play areas -- one designed for young children and the other designed for older kids. Equipment for older kids is typically higher with more complex activities that may be inappropriate and dangerous for young children.

    • 6

      Remind your child of playground safety rules, such as going one at a time on equipment, not jumping off of equipment and not pushing. Point out behaviors that aren't acceptable when you see them. If your child does not follow the safety rules after repeated reminders, remove her from the playground. She puts herself and other kids at risk if she doesn't play by the rules.

    • 7

      Stand near a young child when she climbs on high equipment. The AAP recommends only letting a child age 4 and under climb higher than herself if she is closely supervised.

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