 | Roger Stitt
is the owner/operator of Rainbow Play Systems located at 502 W Lincoln in Wichita. He has been involved in children's play equipment for 8 years. With quality always being his top priority, Roger takes pride in his products. You can reach Roger at (316) 264-4411 or swing in and play! |
Playground Safety
2004-04-01 13:46:00
Safety at the playground
Question: What can I teach my children about playground safety?
ANSWER: Safe playground equipment and adult supervision are extremely important, but only half of the equation. Kids must learn how to be safe and act responsibly at the playground. Here are a few guidelines to have them follow:• Never push or roughhouse while on the playground (even on sand, hands and knees can be scraped and feelings hurt).• Never use playground equipment that is the slightest bit damp; it can become slick and cause them to fall.• In summertime, playground equipment can become extremely hot. Teach them to "test the waters" before playing; if it's too hot to touch it's too hot to play on.• Children should leave bikes, backpacks, and other accessories in a designated spot. Items left randomly around the playground can cause children to trip and fall.• If your child likes to jump off climbing toys, make certain he/she knows to check that there are no other children in their way. Teach them to land on both feet with their knees slightly bent.• Clothing can be dangerous. Make sure your child knows not to wear clothes with drawstrings or other strings at the playground. Strings pose a strangulation hazard because they can get caught on equipment.Adult supervision can help prevent injuries by making sure kids don't engage in unsafe behavior and improper use of the playground equipment. In the event that an injury does occur, adult supervision also allows for quick first aid action to be taken. Before you visit a neighborhood playground, check to make sure that play areas are designed to allow a parent or teacher a clear view of children on all equipment. As the adult, it is up to you to make the playground a place that's entertaining and safe for your children by checking equipment for potential hazards and setting some rules for them to follow. Teaching your kids how to play safely is important. If they know the rules of the playground, it is less likely they'll become injured. Kids will be kids, and we don't want to overprotect them. But, it is our responsibility to ensure that boundaries are set to allow them fun and freedom without injury.
