Playgrounds are exciting places for children to visit, and the right equipment makes it fun to build strong muscles and engage in cardiovascular exercise. While children have fun, adults need to remember that safety is critical for preventing common injuries such as sprained ankles. Fortunately, keeping your child safe is easy when you use these tips to select and maintain the equipment.
Choose Play Equipment That Undergoes Rigorous Testing
Not all play equipment is the same when it comes to meeting safety standards. When your child is swinging across the monkey bars or jumping high on a trampoline, you need to know that the equipment can stand up to heavy use. Look for play equipment that is accredited to meet national safety standards. Ideally, the testing should reveal that the equipment exceeds common standards to ensure that it lasts for years without a problem.
Practice Proper Site Planning
Sticking a trampoline on a concrete patio next to a fence and under low-hanging branches is asking for a disaster to happen. Instead, choose safe sites to install the playground equipment. Plan for areas where children can engage in active and quiet play without running into each other. For instance, you’ll want to create a no-walking zone in front of swing sets. Adding soft materials, such as sand or rubber mulch, beneath high monkey bars and other equipment can dampen the forces of a fall on your child’s body.
Follow the Instruction Manual
You’ll also want to follow each step in the installation manual carefully. Choosing to discard the net around a trampoline could naturally lead to injuries if a child falls off. The instruction manual will also likely provide insight into where to set up the equipment. Making sure that it is set up on a flat surface ensures that it is balanced, which makes it safer for children to play.
Inspect Outdoor Play Equipment Regularly
Checking to see if every nut and bolt is tight prevents accidents such as pinched fingers. While most people don’t inspect playground equipment every day, you will want to conduct a thorough inspection periodically. If you notice missing or damaged safety features such as the sun shade or net, then you’ll need to replace them. Selecting equipment that has easy-to-find replacement parts also helps to make sure that you’re always able to replace a trampoline spring or swing seat.
Teach Children Safety Rules
As a parent, you have an important responsibility to teach your children how to prevent accidents and injuries. Set rules about how many people can jump on a trampoline at once, and remind children to wait their turn to go down a slide or try their hand at the monkey bars. Establishing rules at home such as avoiding jumping on a trampoline when it is wet from heavy rain or wearing loose clothing helps your children use their new toys safely.
Once you’ve set your children up with a safe place space, it’s important to remember that your job is not done. Supervising children on their new play equipment is important, especially during the first few weeks when they are learning the rules. Soon, you’ll begin to see your children using their new trampoline or play space in ways that build their confidence and physical health.
