Tips for keeping kids safe on the playground

Adults bringing kids to playgrounds should know how to monitor the young ones effectively, and what a safe playground should look like.

Parents in Virginia want their children to have good upbringings, with plenty of exercise and time outside, and a space to play with other kids. Playgrounds are a great place to give the little ones such an opportunity to explore. Unfortunately, not all playgrounds are as safe as they could be. Every parent can learn some things to watch out for when they are observing their kids play at playgrounds, and there are even some things about the equipment or play area that can be checked prior to letting the youths loose.

Effectively supervising children on playground equipment

Not every parent may be watching the kids as closely as they should be, so anyone who reads the following list should make sure he or she always remembers to implement it when the playground with children:

· Kids older than 5 may play rougher or in ways that are unsafe for younger ones, so their play areas should be separated.

· Any clothes with strings, scarves, or necklaces could potentially pose a hazard for strangulation. Make sure none of the young ones are wearing thing that can be caught around their necks or in playground equipment.

· A playground is a lot safer when kids don’t shove and try to crowd into one area. It is important for children to learn not to push each other when on the playground equipment.

· Before any kids get on the playground, the adults should make sure there is no dangerous surface or broken equipment. Even a slightly rusted part could signal a potential hazard.

The most important thing for adults to remember is that actively supervising their children not only makes the time out more fun for everyone, it also makes it safer.

How a safe playground should be set up

In addition to active supervision, parents and babysitters can also be aware of some safe design elements that should be present in a playground. To avoid a child’s fingers or hand getting pinched or crushes, moving equipment can be checked for pinch points. Any surface that is elevated should have guardrails and protective barriers around the edges to prevent accidental falls.

Play surfaces also make a difference. A loose-fill material such as shredded rubber, sand, or wood chips is good for breaking falls. A surface cluttered with debris or standing water should signal a no-go. Blacktop and concrete surfaces will not break a child’s fall, and are not good places to build playgrounds.

If a child has been injured while playing on a playground in Virginia, the medical costs can be steep, not to mention the pain and suffering involved in dealing with such a trauma. An attorney in the local area who does personal injury cases may be able to help families get financial compensation in such cases.