Spring is here, and summer is fast approaching, and for our team at Morrow Lai and Edwards Pediatric Dentistry, that means only one thing: it’s time to remind parents about playground safety.
Your kids will be spending lots of time outside, and we feel it’s important for parents to know what safety features to look for before your child hangs out at the local park.
The American Academy of Pediatrics’ website has some important safety tips that we’d thought we’d share with you today. When taking your children out to the parks, make sure you:
* Carefully supervise young children using playground equipment. Keep children from shoving, pushing, or fighting.
* The surface under playground equipment should be energy absorbent. Use safety – tested mats or loose fill materials (shredded rubber, sand, wood chips, or bark) maintained to a depth of at least 9 inches.
* Swing seats should be made of something soft, not wood or metal.
* Children should not twist swings, swing empty seats, or walk in front of moving swings.
* Put home playground equipment together correctly. It should sit on a level surface and be anchored firmly to the ground.
* Cap all screws and bolts. Check periodically for loose nuts and bolts and broken, rusty or sharp parts.
* Install playground equipment at least six feet from fences or walls.
* Check for hot metal surfaces on equipment such as those on slides, which can cause burns.
* Never attach ropes, jump ropes, clotheslines, or pet leashes to playground equipment as children can strangle on them.
Give us a call if you have any questions about these tips. Here’s to a happy and safe spring and summer, from our entire team at Morrow Lai and Edwards Pediatric Dentistry!
