How Can I Help Keep My Kids Safe in a Playground?

Inspect playground equipment for broken parts, sharp edges, loose bolts or worn surfaces. Look out for hazards like protruding hardware, splintered wood or rusted metal before letting children play. If it’s a household backyard  playset, more than likely it will be upkept and safe, however, public play equipment may not always be updated in their maintenance.

Use playgrounds designed for your child’s age group. Equipment for toddlers (2-5 years) should be separate from equipment meant for school-aged children, (6-12 years) to prevent injuries. If one complete playset caters to different age groups, try to keep the little ones separated from the older ones and have them take turns.

Ideally, play areas should have impact-absorbing surfaces like rubber mats, sand, wood or rubber mulch extending a few feet from the equipment itself. Try to avoid playgrounds on concrete, asphalt or packed dirt surfaces.

Stay within arm’s reach of toddlers and keep older children in sight. Be especially vigilant around swings, slides and climbing equipment where falls are more likely to happen.

Remove or secure loose clothing on kids, such as scarves, drawstrings and jewelry that could catch onto equipment. Make sure that your kid’s shoes are closed-toe, shoelaces are tied securely and have good grip to prevent slipping. Gloves are also a good idea for holding on to swing chains or monkey bars, to prevent blisters.

Children should go down slides feet-first and sitting up, one at a time. Check that slides aren’t too hot from sun exposure and make sure that the exit area is clear before sliding. Some older kids will likely attempt to climb up the slide, which is ok as long as they are well supervised.

Teach kids to sit in the center of the swing-seat, hold on with both hands and not jump off while moving, as well as not holding on to another swing’s chain other than their own. Keep your supervision by walking around the swing area instead of running between them. 

Encourage children to use both hands while climbing and to climb up equipment only in designated climbing areas, such as rock-walls and gang-planks or ladders. Older and more audacious kids will probably want to climb up a slide or a fireman’s pole, and that should always be supervised.

Bring water bottles for longer play sessions and apply sunscreen frequently. Metal equipment can become dangerously hot in direct sunlight, so always test surfaces before use.

Use playtime as a learning opportunity by helping children understand about the sharing of equipment, taking turns, and being considerate of others. Establish clear boundaries about acceptable play behavior to prevent conflicts and accidents. Reinforce this behavior every time your kids play with other children.