03:05:00
These days, with all of the safety concerns about playgrounds and everything else, it can be tempting to keep children inside the house to play. However, this is neither realistic nor healthy. Children need to run around and be outside. Playgrounds are great places for them to do this, and to meet other children. However, it is important to ensure that the tire swings and teeter totters where they children play are safe and in good repair. There are lots of things to check when determining the safety of a playground. Here are a few.
1. Make sure that there is enough adult supervision. Ideally, you should be able to watch your child while he or she plays. But if you are unable to do this, make sure another adult you trust is there to supervise. If there are many children in your neighborhood who regularly use the playground, you could organize a schedule where all of the parents share responsibility for doing this.
2. Become aware of the playground's layout. Kids are very good at finding hidden spaces to get into mischief. Everyone who shares supervision responsibility should know where these areas are in the playground. Supervision should include walking around and making regular passes by these problem spots, to ensure that mischief does not turn into danger or injury.
3. Equipment maintenance is another huge issue. It is easy to forget about details like rusty screws and weak chain links on swings. These things can result in injury if they are neglected for too long. Find out who is in charge of maintaining the playground's equipment, and whether they regularly check for these things.
4. Ensure that problems get resolved. These safety issues mentioned above, as well as aesthetic issues like peeling paint and rust, should be taken care of quickly. The more the playground is used, the more often they will arise, and someone should be on the lookout.
5. Make sure the surfaces are safe. Children often fall from slides and swings and other playground equipment. It is important that they have a relatively soft surface to land on. Some playgrounds have cushioned surfaces built in. However, soft soil covered with grass can provide cushioning, too. The soil should be free of large rocks, which can hurt children if they fall on them.
6. Get in touch with the people in charge. Whether your playground is run by the parks department, controlled by a school, or privately owned, find out who is responsible for all of the maintenance issues mentioned above. Get involved. Offer to fund raise and volunteer your time to improve the playground.
Every child, regardless of where they live or how much money their family has, deserves to have a safe and fun place to play outside. No child should have to play among rusty swing sets and broken teeter totters. Creating a safe playground in your neighborhood may take some effort. It may require making phone calls, attending meetings, and rallying other parents who have the same concerns. It may even require getting your own hands dirty and making some of the necessary changes yourself. All of this is worthwhile if it enhances the safety and happiness of your child and other children in your neighborhood.
1. Make sure that there is enough adult supervision. Ideally, you should be able to watch your child while he or she plays. But if you are unable to do this, make sure another adult you trust is there to supervise. If there are many children in your neighborhood who regularly use the playground, you could organize a schedule where all of the parents share responsibility for doing this.
2. Become aware of the playground's layout. Kids are very good at finding hidden spaces to get into mischief. Everyone who shares supervision responsibility should know where these areas are in the playground. Supervision should include walking around and making regular passes by these problem spots, to ensure that mischief does not turn into danger or injury.
3. Equipment maintenance is another huge issue. It is easy to forget about details like rusty screws and weak chain links on swings. These things can result in injury if they are neglected for too long. Find out who is in charge of maintaining the playground's equipment, and whether they regularly check for these things.
4. Ensure that problems get resolved. These safety issues mentioned above, as well as aesthetic issues like peeling paint and rust, should be taken care of quickly. The more the playground is used, the more often they will arise, and someone should be on the lookout.
5. Make sure the surfaces are safe. Children often fall from slides and swings and other playground equipment. It is important that they have a relatively soft surface to land on. Some playgrounds have cushioned surfaces built in. However, soft soil covered with grass can provide cushioning, too. The soil should be free of large rocks, which can hurt children if they fall on them.
6. Get in touch with the people in charge. Whether your playground is run by the parks department, controlled by a school, or privately owned, find out who is responsible for all of the maintenance issues mentioned above. Get involved. Offer to fund raise and volunteer your time to improve the playground.
Every child, regardless of where they live or how much money their family has, deserves to have a safe and fun place to play outside. No child should have to play among rusty swing sets and broken teeter totters. Creating a safe playground in your neighborhood may take some effort. It may require making phone calls, attending meetings, and rallying other parents who have the same concerns. It may even require getting your own hands dirty and making some of the necessary changes yourself. All of this is worthwhile if it enhances the safety and happiness of your child and other children in your neighborhood.
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