Topic Overview
Playgrounds may have hazards that can cause injury. Following some
basic safety measures can help your child have fun and play safely.
General checks
- Make sure there is a soft surface under play
equipment, such as sand, wood chips, or rubber matting.
- Check the
surface temperature of play equipment if it is warm outside.
- Wooden
equipment should be smooth and made from all-weather wood. Check surfaces
periodically to make sure there is no splintering.
- Check equipment
for loose joints, open chains, exposed bolts, sharp edges, and rust. If the
equipment is in a public park, report any problems to the appropriate
personnel.
Specific equipment
- Children younger than 5 should be closely
supervised and play on the equipment separately from older children.
- Swings should be made from soft and flexible material. Your child
should sit in a bucket swing with leg holes until he or she is able to safely
sit in the middle of a standard swing. Have your child use both hands. Do not
allow more than one child on the same swing. Help your child learn to stay away
from swings while others are using them.
- A teeter-totter (seesaw)
should only be used by children age 3 and older. Partners should be close in age
and of similar weight. Children younger than 3 do not have the physical
coordination to safely use this equipment.
- Make sure children go
single-file up steps to use slides and that they do not climb up the slide's
surface. Have your child exit the landing of the slide quickly, so that other
children coming down the slide don't fall on your child.
- Don't let a child younger than 4 use climbing equipment that's taller than he or she is, unless you will watch the child at all times.
- Trampolines aren't safe for children. Even with constant adult supervision and protective netting, many children are injured on them. It's best to keep your child off trampolines.
Also make sure children are not wearing jewellery, such as
necklaces, or clothing with strings attached, such as a hooded sweatshirt, that
may get caught in the playground equipment and cause injury.
Other Places To Get Help
Organizations
| Canadian Paediatric Society |
| 2305 Saint Laurent Boulevard |
| Ottawa, ON K1G 4J8 |
| Phone: | (613) 526-9397 |
| Fax: | (613) 526-3332 |
| Email: | info@cps.ca |
| Web Address: | www.cps.ca |
| |
The Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS) promotes quality health care
for Canadian children and establishes guidelines for paediatric care. The
organization offers educational materials on a variety of topics, including
information on immunizations, pregnancy, safety issues, and teen health. |
|
| Safe Kids Canada 36 Eglinton Avenue West, Suite 704Toronto, ON M4R 1A1 |
| Phone: | (416) 596-2700
1-888-723-3847 |
| Email: | safekids.web@sickkids.ca |
| Web Address: | www.safekidscanada.ca |
| |
Safe Kids Canada is a national injury prevention program
provided by the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. The website provides
information on keeping children safe and preventing injuries. |
|
References
Other Works Consulted
- American Academy of Pediatrics (2009). Keeping your child safe. In SP Shevlov et al., eds., Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5, 5th ed., pp. 457–506. New York: Bantam.
Credits
| By | Healthwise Staff |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Susan C. Kim, MD - Pediatrics |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine |
|---|
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Thomas Emmett Francoeur, MD, MDCM, CSPQ, FRCPC - Pediatrics |
|---|
| Last Revised | February 3, 2011 |
|---|
