Children should have access to equipment designed for their age. Furthermore, the ground should contain shock-absorbing materials such as rubber mats, synthetic turf, mulch or pea gravel that cushion falls.
Children should wear close-toed shoes and refrain from wearing clothing with drawstrings that could catch on equipment and cause strangulation, while they should take turns using equipment so as to prevent overcrowding.
Age-appropriate
Kids at different stages of physical development 안전놀이터 require equipment that enables them to play at their level and promote creativity, socialization and coordination through play. This is especially crucial for infants and toddlers, who require playgrounds tailored specifically to accommodate their size and abilities.
Toddlers may appreciate a playground with wall climbers that enable them to develop proprioceptive skills while exploring their environment. Children in this age group also develop balance and coordination through playground spinners such as carousels or merry-go-rounds.
Kids ages 2-5 are developing their gross motor skills through various age-appropriate equipment, such as climbing structures and slides low to the ground. Children in this age range also enjoy playgrounds which challenge both their fine and gross motor abilities such as dynamic net play structures or exhilarating ninja warrior courses.
Supervised
Supervision of children playing is vitally important; this is the only way to prevent most injuries on playgrounds and lack of adult supervision has been linked with nearly 50% of all playground accidents.
Children at different ages develop social skills differently, so it is crucial that rules are set according to age groups. For instance, younger children should learn patience by waiting their turn before using equipment shared among the group and not engaging in roughhousing activities that could cause injuries like head trauma.
Set up surveillance zones around specific parts of the playground so it’s easier for all adults supervising to observe all children simultaneously and reduce distractions. Be sure that all adults who supervise are familiar with how to respond when there’s an injury – be it a minor cut or broken bone – quickly so help can be provided swiftly.
Discuss disciplinary procedures so all parties involved understand what will happen when children break rules – this may include reprimands, detention or suspension.
Safe
A safe playground should provide equipment appropriate to each child’s age and abilities. Furthermore, an adequate impact attenuation surface such as grass, pea gravel, organic mulch or rubber (that has been tested to standards) must exist beneath and around equipment to reduce potential impact from equipment falling on it.
Injurys on playgrounds can be prevented if children adhere to basic safety guidelines, including not pushing or roughhousing when using jungle gyms, slides and seesaws; not climbing outside guardrails; not standing on swings; and always sliding feet-first down slides.
Teaching children how to use equipment correctly is also vital, including not hanging upside-down from monkey bars or climbing out of tunnels and using handles of slides and seesaws correctly. Before taking their kids out to the playground, parents should review a playground safety checklist in order to remind themselves to supervise at all times while making sure the equipment is in good condition and that kids use it safely.
Clean
Consistent cleaning of playgrounds will help minimize germs and keep children safe. This could include using soap and water or an eco-friendly cleaner on equipment and rinsing off surfaces with low pressure water sources like a garden hose or large bucket, before using a sanitizing solution such as household disinfectant or bleach water to kill germs and disinfect equipment.
Encourage children to wash or sanitize their hands prior to and after playing on a playground, as this will help minimize germ spreading between players or themselves. Setting up handwashing/sanitizing stations on-site may also help limit germ spread at parks.
Maintaining clean outdoor surfaces will also lower the risks of COVID-19 viruses spreading around. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends routinely cleaning and disinfecting outdoor spaces; however, spraying playgrounds with disinfectants isn’t efficient or proven to lower risks from COVID-19 infection.