Although the playgrounds are in perfect condition and meet all the requirements that ensure that they are suitable for use by children, there is always the possibility that there may be fortuitous events that could cause them injuries. In addition to watching over our children, as parents and guardians, we must take some special precautions to prevent them from getting hurt while using the playground facilities.
Inspection and maintenance
In the first place, to avoid injuries in a playground, it is necessary to verify the conditions of the structures and the maintenance in general. In this way, you can check that there are no broken elements, chips, or rust; in addition, there are no dangerous objects such as nails, hooks, screws, or sharp edges in the games that can hurt children. In the same way, it is necessary to verify that there is no garbage, broken bottles, or other elements that are a risk to the health and well-being of children.
Wear appropriate clothing
The clothes to go to the playground should be comfortable, but this does not necessarily mean that it is loose. In many cases, falls are due to loose clothing that can get caught on play equipment, causing injury to the child. The same happens with the shoelaces; it must verify that they are correctly tied so that the child does not get entangled with them when running or jumping and can fall since this can even cause injuries if the playground floor is not covered correctly.
Proper use of equipment
The playground equipment is designed to fulfill specific functions and certain age ranges. Older children might use equipment intended for smaller ones, causing it to break and cause an accident, or vice versa, that small children are injured by using larger equipment that does not fit their size. That is why children must play on the right equipment for their age.
Prefer playground with rubber surfacing
The ground is significant in playgrounds since children run, jump and crawl, and the risk of falling is always substantial. For this reason, it is preferable to choose a playground whose floor is covered with rubber surfacing since it is one of the materials that best absorbs shocks, is anti-slip, and helps prevent scratches and burns due to friction. There is a wide variety of playground coatings on the market, such as wood chips, sand, and gravel, but rubber surfacing is the one with the best properties for child care.
Teach to behave
It is essential to teach children that there are rules for the use of the equipment and also for coexistence to avoid problems in the playgrounds. Some examples of these rules are:
– Use the facilities correctly
– Not standing up on the swings.
– Sliding down
– Sitting down with feet forward
– To wait your turn to get on the equipment
– Not pushing or struggling with other children
– Use appropriate language
– Listen to peers
– Respect others
What did you think of this topic? What other tips do you know to avoid injuries in a playground?
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