The folks at Rubber Mulch have put together these leading safety tips for playground safety that includes what to inspect on the playground, the correct length of the soft surface under the swings, basic ideas for safety and more. The following tips will help you plan the perfect playground for plenty of fun filled days with your little one.

Top Tips for Playground Safety 

•Maintain a visual line of sight with children.

•The opening in playground equipment should be less than 3.5 inches or larger than 9 inches so a head cannot get caught.

•Check metal slides to make sure they’re not too hot to the touch.

•Make sure kids wear shoes or sneakers in the playground to protect their feet.

•The length of soft surface under swings should be double the height of the swing set.

•Choose equipment that’s right for your kids’ size and age—toddlers cannot use metal swings seesaws or slides yet.

•Place rubber mulch, mats or soft surface under the playground to cushion falls—it’s best to avoid playgrounds with a concrete surface.

•Inspect the playground and sandbox for splintered wood, broken glass, sharp metals, uncovered chains or loose bolts, wet spots or missing ladder rungs.

•Remove necklaces, scarves, and handbags, clothes with drawstrings or clothing that may get caught.

•Apply sunscreen on the kids before letting them play in the sun.

•Fence the playground in so kids can’t run into traffic.

Playgrounds have been making kids happy for many, many years.  While accidents can happen, following some of this sage advice, will help reduce injuries and ensure that kids can play safely and have fun at their neighborhood or school playground.

Bio:

Miriam Sonenschein is the marketing coordinator at RubberMulch and a mom of four active kids  She’s all too familiar with the myriad of safety concerns and potential hazards on the playground turf and provides expert advice about playground safety.  Since 1997, Rubber Mulch (http://www.rubbermulch.com) has manufactured top quality rubber surfacing products for playgrounds, residences and commercial markets. Playsafer Rubber Mulch was handpicked by First Lady Michelle Obama for the White House playground due to their stellar reputation for superior safety, quality and service. Rubber Mulch pioneered the tire recycling industry with the most advanced technology and equipment to process scrap tires.

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Safety begins at home and should be a consistent factor everywhere you go. This is especially true if you have young children. Toddlers are vulnerable to accidents, so protecting them from harm should be foremost in all that you do. We’ve rounded up ten of the most important safety tips below to guide you at home and when you’re planning a trip with your kids.

Safety at Home. Keeping a home that’s a safe haven for your kids is not an option; it’s a must. Many toddler accidents happen at home, so it’s your job to create a space that’s conducive to their growth in a secure manner. Always remember that, beyond hiring professional childproofing services and buying child-safety gadgets, your supervision is still the best safety tool at home.

Childproof vulnerable areas. Get down on your hands and knees to get your toddler’s perspective, if you must. From that vantage point, you can tell what’s within reach, and which areas a small child can get to with a little effort. Once you’ve pinpointed the vulnerable areas of your home, childproof them with baby gates, netting, slip-proof carpeting, corner guards, electrical outlet covers, and tamper-proof locks. To be more thorough, create a baby proofing checklist as illustrated above.

Keep a first-aid kit at the ready. Boo-boos are part and parcel of growing up, so make sure you have a first-aid kit within reach at all times. Put essential items such as bandage strips, sterile gauze, tweezers, cotton balls, pediatrician-recommended medication, rubbing alcohol, thermometers, antibiotic ointments, and other important things. Tape a list of emergency numbers (including your family physician’s and a poison control hotline) on the kit’s cover or near the phone for quick reference.

Store toys in easily-accessible places. As stated above, it’s important to know if your toddler can reach for something with relative ease. This means that if you store their toys in overhead bins, there’s a huge chance of them getting hit by overturned and falling things. Keep toys in a basket or in a chest on the floor, and store non-essentials under lock and out of sight.

Supervise feeding time closely. It goes without saying that you have to know how to give first aid to a choking toddler. But an ounce of prevention being worth more than a pound of cure, supervision still ranks higher when you’re feeding your child. Never leave your child alone while they eat. Place your child on a booster seat and encourage them to relax during mealtime; a hyperactive toddler won’t be able to focus on eating properly and can court accidents. Remove or switch off all sources of distraction such as toys, gadgets, and the TV. Cut your child’s food into bite-size pieces, taking care to remove those that can easily choke such as nuts, raisins, and small bits of fruit.

Be alert for toy and baby product recalls. Every year, we’ve come to expect kiddie products being recalled because they don’t meet federal safety standards. Always be on top of things when it comes to food and items you buy for your toddler. One of the best ways is to constantly check consumer-safety sites such as kidsindanger.org, which regularly updates its list of hazardous products for children. And when shopping for your child, always research on consumer reports about the item, and if it is age-appropriate for your toddler.

Best of luck!

Julie McCaffrey

About Julie McCaffrey

Parenting expert Julie McCaffrey is a proud mommy to 3 kids and owns BabyNav Baby Planners where she offers personalized consultation to new and expecting parents along with functioning as the Chief Brand Officer at PishPoshBaby.com—the high-quality baby store that supplies the facts and advice, along with the right choice, to parents who are completely lost in the whirlwind of baby gear. She loves to help moms and dads navigate everything from baby gear, preparing for multiples, getting back to work and getting the whole family on a routine.

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1.  Will your child be walking or riding a bike to school this year?

• Make the trip with them a couple of times so you are both comfortable with the route.

2.  Time how long it takes for them to travel each way; walking or riding.

• This gives you an idea what time they should arrive A.M. & P.M.
• If they have a cell phone ask them to call/text when they leave & arrive both ways.

3.  If there is another child in the neighborhood going to the same school, try to arrange for them to travel together. There is safety in numbers.

4.  Point out “safe places” for them along the way (if there are any) in case of an emergency.

5.  Will your children be riding the bus this year?

• Make sure they are familiar with the bus number. It’s better to miss a bus & remain at school with adults that can help instead of taking the wrong one & nobody knows where you are.

6.  Wait in a group at the bus stop.

• Don’t ever leave the group to walk up to a car that approaches.

7.  Never allow your child to “ride” with anyone unless they are on your “safe list”.

• A safe list tells your child the ONLY people they are ever allowed to go with if it’s not you.
• This includes walking, riding or even approaching a car. It’s that serious!

8.  Communicate! If your child is expressing concern or feeling uncomfortable find out why & take action. Children have great instincts. Listen to them.

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1. Food Safety
• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water before handling food and after handling raw poultry or meat. To guard against cross-contamination of bacteria, keep uncooked meats away from other foods.
• Cook foods thoroughly, especially ground beef, poultry, and pork.
• Refrigerate all perishable food within two hours.

2. Fire Safety
• When using a grill, be sure to clean it thoroughly to remove any grease or dust. Check for gas leaks. Use the grill outside, not in a garage, porch, or other enclosed space.
• If you plan to use a fire pit, be sure to put out fire completely before leaving it unattended.
• Do not park your vehicle on grass as the hot exhaust can easily ignite dry vegetation.

3. Water Safety
• Don’t swim alone.
• Wear a life vest while boating.
• Supervise children at all times in and near the water.

4. Sun Safety
• Use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. Apply it generously throughout the day.
• Wear a hat and sunglasses.
• Drink lots of water to stay hydrated.

5. Travel Safety
• Don’t drink and drive or travel with anyone who has been drinking.
• Wear your seatbelt at all times.
• Make sure your vehicle has been serviced before a long road trip.
• Familiarize yourself with your surroundings and know where the nearest emergency room is in case of an emergency.

Enjoy the holiday weekend with friends and family! And, remember to pay your respects to those who have given so much so that we can enjoy the liberties we have today.

For more safety information, visit us at www.mass.gov/consumer.

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