In just a few days, we will celebrate Family Health & Fitness day! For many children, the easiest and most fun way to get in some exercise is taking a family trip to the local playground. Playgrounds are an excellent place to exercise your child’s body and mind as well as help them develop social skills, imaginative skills, and more! To ensure your child stays safe on the playground, check out these helpful tips:

Size up the equipment

Check out your local playgrounds equipment before you let your child play. Ensure that there are options offered that fit your child’s size and age and that your child only uses equipment meant for them. For example, older children may break swings mean for infants and small children can take dangerous falls off of towers or climbing walls meant for older children.

Check out what’s under the playground

Emergency departments treat more than 200,000 playground injuries each year- typically caused when children fall from the playground equipment onto the ground. Many playgrounds have specific surfaces under their equipment meant to soften the impact of a fall.

Avoid playgrounds with only concrete or asphalt under them. Grass may look soft, but it is not shock absorbing. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends a thick layer of one of the following materials, extending at least 6 feet in all directions, under all play equipment:

• Wood chips
• Mulch
• Sand
• Pea gravel (12 or more inches deep)
• Rubber mats

Climbing structures

Climbing helps children build strength, coordination, depth perception, and even cooperation with playmates all while helping them see their surroundings from a different perspective. Plus- they love to do it!

Look for these safeguards to prevent your child from falling or getting caught on equipment:

• Platforms higher than 30 inches above ground should have guardrails or barriers
• Vertical and horizontal spaces between the ropes of cargo nets or the like, should be less than 3.5 inches wide or more than 9 inches wide to prevent a child from getting their head trapped or falling through.
• Stairs, steps, and rungs of ladders should be evenly place. Round rungs should be 1-1.5 inches in diameter to be gripped well by little hands.
• Check for sharp points or edges– including nails or screws in wooden structures. Metal structures should not have rust or peeling paint.
• Don’t let your child wear or play in any clothing that can get caught on playground equipment including sweatshirts with drawstrings or necklaces and other items such as ropes or pet leashes. If your child rides a bike or scooter- take off their helmet before they begin playing.

Slides

Keep in mind:

• Slides can get very hot in the sun, both metal and plastic, and the surface at the end of the slide can too. Use your hand to check the temperature of play equipment before letting your child slide, or look for equipment in the shade on hot, summer days.
• Slides should have a platform with rails at the top for children to hold when climbing up and preparing to slide. Open slides should have at least 4 inch walls on the sides.
• Check the base of the slide for rocks, glass, sticks, toys, debris, or other children to ensure a safe landing.
• Teach your child to always slide feet first to avoid head injuries, and to make sure the child in front of them is al the way down before sliding.
• Don’t go down the slide with your child in your lap. It may seem safe, but studies have shown that children’s legs can get caught and injured.

Swings

Swinging has been shown to help children feel calm, build sensory skills, and even help them cooperate with other children.

To avoid injuries:

• Check in front of and behind the swing for obstructions and ensure the surface beneath the swing is long enough (twice the height of the suspending bar).
• Objects such as walls or fences should be at least 6 feet away from both sides of the swing.
• Seats should be made of a soft material such as rubber, plastic, or canvas.
• Make sure open “S” hooks on chains are closed to form a figure 8 and prevent catching little fingers.
• Check that the swing set is securely anchored to the ground to prevent tipping.
• Swings should not be too close together– at least 24 inches between swings and no more than 2 seat swings (or 1 tire swing) in the same section of the structure.
• Teach your child to swing on their bottom and not their stomach. Encourage them to not jump off or run in front of swings when other children are using them.

Even the safest, age appropriate playground can be dangerous without adult supervision. Researchers even say that lack of supervision is the leading cause of playground-related injuries. So, when your child wants to play at the local playground- keep an eye on them, and even join them for a safe, fun family play experience!

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