Playground Safety

Before your child visits a new playground, parents should inspect the facility to be sure it's safe.

To help protect your child from injury, the National Program for Playground Safety offers these guidelines:

*Make sure that you or another trusted adult is always supervising your child's play.
*To prevent possible strangulation, don't allow your child to play while he's wearing clothing with drawstrings.
*The playground should have age-appropriate equipment in separate sections, so that younger children can avoid injury from older children's play and equipment.
*Playground surfaces should provide cushion in the event of a fall -- surfaces that are concrete, grass, asphalt, gravel or packed dirt can contribute to injuries. *Acceptable surfaces include hardwood fiber/mulch, pea gravel, sand, or rubber mats.
*All equipment should be properly rooted to the ground, with no loose, rusting, or missing parts.

Safe Toys For Your Child

All toys, no matter how safe, may not be appropriate for children of all ages. Other toys may have moving parts or sharp edges that make them inappropriate for children of any age.

Here are suggestions on how to choose safe toys for your child, courtesy of the American Academy of Family Physicians:
Don't give your child toys with small parts that can be easily removed or broken.
Follow safety information and age guidelines listed on toys.
Look for toys that say "non-toxic," or "washable/hygienic materials" on stuffed animals that can be washed.
Make sure your child only has access to toys that are appropriate for her age.
To prevent choking, don't allow young children to play with marbles, or other small toys less than 1 3/4 inches diameter or 2 inches long.