Tips For Keeping Your Kids Safe At The Park Playground

Kids love wide open spaces that give them a chance to run, play, and blow off steam. Most will head straight for the playground knowing that's where they'll find their favorite swings, slides, and tunnels. As much fun as a park Playground can be for kids, it's up to the parents to make sure they come prepared and that the play area is prepared and safe for the kids.

Even though the playground area may be shaded, your child will still feel the effects of the sun without protection. It's a good idea to go ahead and apply the sunscreen at home instead of waiting until you get to the park. Once kids get sweaty, it's hard to apply the lotion, and it ends up all over everything. It's easy for little kids to get overheated, which can lead to dizziness, which will lead to an accident.

Little kids especially much prefer to be barefoot, and will shed their shoes in a heartbeat. This isn't the best idea on a playground. In the summer metal surfaces can get so hot they will burn tender skin. If they accidentally step on an asphalt area, their feet will feel the burn immediately. Sandals with heels and closures are fine. Flip flops are too easy to step out of.

Also Read This: How much free space will you need for an outdoor playset in your venue?

Your little one might want to dress up to go to the playground, but dresses can be a safety hazard. It's easy for the skirts to get caught in the swings or snagged on the merry-go-round. If your child just has to wear a dress, you might consider tying it between her legs while she's playing. Otherwise fitted tee shirts and shorts are a better idea.

If the playground has a sandbox, try to steer your kid away from it. In a perfect world everyone would be a responsible pet owner and there would be no outside or stray cats. Unfortunately, it's not a perfect world, and the playground sandbox will look just like an outdoor toilet to any cat in the area. Even if cats haven't use it, other little kids might have, so avoid the sandbox altogether.

Check out the play area and equipment before you let your child on it. You need to be looking for glass, trash, broken swings, and worn places. Doing a thorough inspection before your child starts playing may prevent a serious accident later on.

You should come prepared with water and snacks because kids get hungry, and the concession stand at the park, if they even have one, will be expensive. You will also need napkins or wipes for dirty hands. It's not a good idea to let you child share snacks with someone else unless you know who it is.

Stranger danger is real, and predators love playgrounds. It's fine for kids to play with other kids their own age, but you need to be on the lookout for anyone out of place hanging around a playground. Even the ice cream truck driver should be watched.