Defne and Derin love to get out of the house every day, and one of our favorite things to do is to go to a nearby park. But as a fretful mum, I’m always worried about head injuries and other accidents. Instead of biting my nails nervously whenever we head out to a play area, however, I decided to take matters into my own hands. Here’s a list of some of the most useful safety tips I was able to find for parents of active children.
Dress for fun and safety. Before you head to the park, one of the most meaningful things you can do to ensure your child’s safety is to choose appropriate clothing. I always make sure that my children aren’t wearing clothing that is too loose because it can get caught on playground equipment and cause a slip, fall or even a choking hazard. Likewise, we also steer clear of clothing with long drawstrings to prevent a head injury. And when it comes to shoes, I make sure to pick out a pair that covers the entire foot. It also helps to have rubber soles that provide a good grip. And remember to tie shoe laces tight so that they don’t get caught.
Check the weather. If your child’s favorite play area is located outside like ours, it can become a hazard when exposed to the elements. For example, even concrete can heat up enough to cause skin burns in the height of summer. And wet grass after a rainstorm can be too slippery for running. Keep these things in mind when dressing for play time or when deciding when is a good time to go to the play center.
Keep an eye--and an ear--out. When it comes to preventing accidents, you are your children’s first and most important resource. It is important that your children are under adult supervision when they play because you can likely judge safety hazards better than they can. And in the event that an accident does happen, you can act fast to get help. And as an added precaution, I always scope out the best place to watch over kids as soon as we arrive. Be on the lookout for potentially dangerous situations, but remember to use your ears, too. Sometimes you can hear a hazard before you see it.
Check play equipment. When we enter a play area, we always start by checking for trash or litter. I also take a look at play area equipment such as slides, swings and monkey bars to make sure that they are in good condition. And remember to teach your little one about safety as well because even the safest play equipment can become dangerous when not used properly.
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