Infant and Toddler Playground Safety by Dr. Chetan Ginigeri

Why is Playground Safety so Important?

Playgrounds are spots of escapade, joyousness, and imagination, where infants and toddler make memories to remember for the remainder of their lives. We have to make sure they are blissful memories, preferably than the retention of several injuries and wounds attained by misusing equipment or doing something goofy.

Top 6 Playground Safety Tips For Infants

While an infant may not be close to walking or even crawling as yet, it is still essential to keep safety on top of the mind at the playground. Keep a watchful eye on them at all times and follow these safety tips:

1. Buckle Up

If the park has infant bucket-style swings, by the seventh month, an infant is in all likelihood ready to take a mild whirl. Look for seating made from natural rubber, canvas fabric, or plastic, and fasten the infant with the safety band.

2. Check the Elbowroom and Legroom

Ensure the equipment is firmly connected to the land with a six-foot headway on the broadside, at least twenty-four inches in-between seats, and just 2 swings in each area.

3. Help Them Slide

Most infants cannot slide by themselves so position yourself at the sidelong and slide them down gently on their nether. Always place their feet first.

4. Help Them Climb.

Just like the slide, you will have to usher the tiny infant and help them the entire way as they attempt to ascend.

5. Do Not Slide Together

As attractive as it looks, does not be allured to glide the slide with the infant on your thigh. It is unsafe, as their feet may get hurt during the descent.

6. Sift the Soil

Do a quick check for any debris or broken glass. Since they will certainly want to mouth the dirt, sit down close to them to disapprove of the activity.

[Read : Fall Prevention in Babies]

6 Playground Safety Tips For Toddlers

Playgrounds give outstanding chances for fresh and outside merriment for kids of every age group. Regrettably, they give generous possibilities for mishaps as well. More than 213,000 kids obtain care in hospitals every year for playground-related accidents. Injuries do occur, however, there are a few preventive points that will ensure parents and toddlers use the playground tension-free:

1. Check it Out

Parents may believe that since a playground is accessible to all kids, it is a harmless spot for them. However, ahead of settling in, ensure to look for age-appropriate equipment. Some playgrounds have areas designated for kids under five. These spots normally have littler stairs and crawling areas, low-level horizontal surfaces with shortened ladders or stairways with clutches, little slides, commonly less than four feet in height. Make note of types of equipment toddlers must stay far from, especially those with damaged or rusted portions.

2. Look Underfoot

Almost all contemporary playgrounds have impact-absorbing surfaces, like latex covering, semi-synthetic ground, chopped natural rubber, wooden flake, gravel, or soil. For toddlers who are generally crawling or have just begun walking, go for an even-textured surface. Avert those with paving material, concrete, gravel, or compact soil, to lower the toddler’s risk of head trauma in case of a tumble.

[Read : Head Injuries in Children]

3. Look Overhead

Shades are of the utmost importance for a reduced risk of suntan or heat-stroke. Ensure to check for coverings at the playground. They also keep playground equipment, such as slides and swings from getting too blistering to play on.

4. Stay Side by Side

Do not care about being a whirlybird parent at the playground. Numerous playground mishaps may be prevented with correct supervising, especially since toddlers are trying to maneuver a piece of play equipment for the first time. Assess the area, the equipment, and the toddler’s ability to utilize the playground. Toddlers will probably be calling you to look and help them as they climb, explore and run, so stay alert to ensure you are at a close call.

5. Go Over the Regulations

Behavior counts even during outdoor fun when toddlers are moving at speed. Instructing them to wait in queues to share equipment may help avert mishaps because of shoving and pushing.

6. Dress For Safety

Take off jewelry, as well as unzipped coats or anything with a string that may get tangled with the equipment. Make your toddler wear well-fitting, flat footwear, ideally with grips, to help cut down the hazards of falls on playground equipment. Do not let them run barefooted.

How to Teach Your Infant and Toddler About Playground Safety?

It is never too soon to point out a few playground safety regulations to infant and toddler. Always inform the correct manner to use the equipment. Following are some playground safety rules to teach your toddler:

• Teach them the manners like waiting for another child to get down before taking a turn on a piece of equipment.
• Insist on never pushing or shoving someone on the swings or slide.
• It is clever to demonstrate how to check the surfaces of jungle gym bars, slides, and swings, as physical contact burns from blistery plastic and metal are possible.
• Avoid dewy play surfaces and equipment that may be slimy and could result in falls.
• Babies love to leap, and so advise them to be certain no one is in between if they are going away to jump off the slide top or leap the endmost step of rising equipment.
• Have them end up on both feet with knees bent on for the safest landing. Do not neglect to apply sunblock and put on a cap, even on murky days, to avoid tan.

Only if safety is kept on top of the mind playground merriment can be successful. With close supervision, the right shoes and clothing, and a few easy safety regulations, infants and toddlers will have the time of their life at the playground.

Even on the harmless, age-appropriate playgrounds, grown-up supervision and guidance are the best means to avoid injuries. About half of the playground-related injuries, in fact, are because of a lack of adult supervision. Thus, as the toddler climbs, glides, slides and swings, keep a watch on the activity and be alert to step in if they are misusing the equipment.

FAQ’s

1. When Can Infants be Taken to the Playground?

By and large, one must hold on till the infant is at least 6 months old before taking them to a playground. Infants below 6 months are at an increased danger of getting injured. They are also prone to falling sick as the immune system is still developing.

2. What are the Most Common Playground-Related Injuries?

Damaged bones, concussions, dislocations, inner body part injuries, strains, and sprains are the most common injuries which necessitate a physician’s attention.

3. How Frequently do Infants and Toddlers Get Wounded on Playgrounds?

Fifteen minor fatalities happen every year from playground equipment. 79% of all playground injuries pertain to falls.

Read Also: Child Safety: Everything A Parent Needs To Know About