Toddler playground safety
Watching your toddler negotiate the local playground and seeing her grow in physical strength and confidence is one of the joys of being a mom. And it’s great fun for your child, as well as providing her with fresh air and vital exercise. But while outdoor play equipment offers hours of fun, if it’s faulty or the playground isn’t well designed or maintained, it can also be a safety hazard – and each year, more than 200,000 children are treated in ERs for playground injuries.
Taking a few simple precautions and staying on your guard can help you keep your toddler safe and happy while she plays. Here are gurgle’s tips for doing that:
Supervise constantly
It may be tempting to chat to other moms or red a magazine while your toddler plays, but don’t. Keeping an eye on your toddler is the best way of ensuring she sticks to age-appropriate slides and climbing frames and doesn’t get out of her depth on equipment designed for bigger, stronger children, or wander in front of the swings. Staying vigilant also means you can protect her from bigger children who might not always be careful when playing around younger, smaller toddlers. And if she does get stuck or have an accident you can be right there by her side when she needs your help and to administer
first aid if necessary.
Check for a safe surface
A playground surface that absorbs impact makes a big difference if your child falls from the play equipment. The surface needs to be soft and thick – proper matting made of rubber is the best option, but loose coverings such as mulch, sand or shredded rubber are also good. Ideally, the cushioned surface should extend well beyond the equipment. Avoid playgrounds surfaced in grass, soil, asphalt or concrete, as these won’t cushion your toddler if she falls. Also check for tripping and slipping hazards, such as tree stumps and roots, and standing water.
Check how equipment is laid out
Playgrounds should be divided between areas safe for toddlers and preschoolers, and areas designed for older, stronger children. Don’t permit your toddler to play on equipment that’s out of her age group since the size and proportions won’t be safe for her.
Look at spacing and safeguards
Elevated play equipment should have guardrails and protective barriers – make sure spaces between bars aren’t wide enough for your toddler to poke her head through as she could get stuck. Rails or rungs on ladders need to be less than 3.5 inches apart or wider than 9 inches. There should be at least 9 feet between elevated play structures more than 30 inches off the ground and swings should be at least 24 inches apart. Check moving equipment, such as see-saws, to ensure there are no areas where your child’s fingers could be trapped and injured.
Ask about maintenance
Ask your local parks and libraries department how often playground equipment is checked, cleaned and maintained. Any time you go to the playground, give it a once-over to check for broken, splintered and rusted equipment, and make sure the fence isn’t damaged and the gate closes – especially vital if the playground is near a road. If the surface is sand or the playground has a sandbox, check it for glass, bugs and animal feces before you let your child play.
Adopt playground safety rules
Teach your toddler how to play safely at the playground. She needs to use the equipment properly (not come down the slide backwards or face-first, for example, or use the seesaw without holding on tight) and mustn’t play rough with other children when they’re on a high surface such as a jungle gym. Tell her not to play on wet equipment that might be dangerously slippery, and check how hot surfaces are (especially metal slides) during the summer. Never dress your child in clothes that feature drawstrings when you’re going to the playground.
The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.