Safety Week 2023 is a great time to remind employees about safe practices at the workplace and in their communities. Each day of the week features a different safety topic and an instructional video.
Checking equipment before play to ensure it’s not hot can help prevent thermal burns. Ensuring children wear clothing without strings that could become caught on equipment can also minimize the risk of strangulation.
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1. Keep it clean
Kids love to play and be active outdoors. But they also need to learn how to do so safely.
Falls from playground equipment are the leading cause of ER visits among kids. Fortunately, most of these injuries are preventable.
Provide enough trash receptacles to handle the expected amount of debris in your playground area. Encourage children to wash or sanitize their hands before and after playing on the equipment. And remind them to avoid wearing necklaces, scarves or mini purses in the park as they could be choking hazards.
2. Keep it dry
Children love to climb, but they also often fall. This is why it’s so important that playground equipment includes a soft, padded surface to absorb the impact.
Teach kids to keep distance from other children – no pushing, roughhousing or crowding – and not to wear clothing with drawstrings that could get caught on equipment. Also, make sure metal equipment is not hot before sending kids to play on it in the summertime.
3. Keep it sanitized
Germs and bacteria can spread on high-touch surfaces like swings and slides. Routine cleaning and sanitizing reduce the count of these microorganisms, keeping playgrounds hygienic for children to use.
Posting signs and reminders to remind adults that sick children should not play on the equipment, covering noses when coughing or sneezing, and washing hands regularly with soap are other hygiene habits that can help minimize harmful germs at your playground.
Remind supervisors to check hyperlocal weather reports to make sure metal playground equipment isn’t too hot for kids to touch so they don’t suffer thermal burns.
4. Keep it safe
Children can sustain a variety of injuries on playground equipment, from minor cuts and bruises to serious head concussions and broken bones. The best way to prevent these types of accidents is through adult supervision.
Dressing kids appropriately is another important step. Clothing with strings like hooded sweatshirts and necklaces can get caught on equipment and pose strangulation hazards.
Inspect the playground before and after use to check for tripping hazards such as rocks, sticks, broken glass or animal droppings. Also, make sure the surface is impact-absorbing (wood chips, sand, shredded rubber or mulch) and free of sharp edges.
5. Keep it clean
Playgrounds can be great places for kids to exercise, socialize, and learn new things. However, they can also be dangerous. Playground-related injuries can range from minor cuts to severe fractures and internal injuries.
Regular cleaning and sanitizing help reduce the amount of microorganisms on playground surfaces. In addition, a well-maintained playground shows that a community takes pride in the space and will help keep it safe for everyone.
Supervision is also crucial. Ensure children wear appropriate clothing, and remove necklaces or bracelets that could get caught on equipment.
6. Keep it safe
Playgrounds are a great place for kids to exercise and socialize. However, they can also be dangerous if children don’t follow 안전놀이터 rules.
Encourage children to share and take turns when using equipment. Teach them to avoid pushing, hitting and shoving.
Check that the playground has a surface under the equipment to help cushion falls. In addition, make sure that children are wearing clothing that doesn’t have drawstrings or cords which could get caught on equipment. Also, encourage them to bend their knees when jumping off of equipment.
7. Keep it dry
Keeping playgrounds dry is important because wet surfaces can increase the chance of injuries from falls. Additionally, metal equipment can heat up to dangerous temperatures in the summertime.
Encourage children to avoid pushing or roughhousing and to stay away from the paths of other kids while on equipment. Also, make sure that they are not wearing clothing with drawstrings or scarves as these could get caught in equipment and cause strangulation.
Emergency departments treat more than 200,000 children each year for playground-related injuries. These tips can help prevent these severe injuries.
8. Keep it sanitized
Children who touch surfaces with their hands may pick up and ingest bacteria, germs, feces, saliva, vomit or blood on playground equipment that has not been properly sanitized. This is true even when the equipment has only been touched by a few children in the short time between use.
It is also important that children do not wear clothing with strings that can catch on equipment and cause strangulation. This is especially important when using outdoor playgrounds. Proper surfacing can help prevent these problems by making it easy to spot dangerous debris.
9. Keep it safe
Children can be incredibly inquisitive and adventurous, so it’s important that adults monitor them while they play. Teach them to respect equipment and keep a safe distance from others.
Keep kids from playing on equipment not designed for their age and make sure they’re wearing appropriate clothing. Clothing strings and scarves that dangle can catch on equipment, and loose shoes with lace-up laces can cause children to trip and fall.
Adult supervision is the most crucial aspect of playground safety. It’s also important to regularly check surfacing and equipment for sharp points, protruding screws or bolts and splintered wood.
10. Keep it clean
Playgrounds provide an excellent opportunity for kids to exercise, socialize and build strength and coordination. But they can also be a source of injury if not properly maintained.
Encourage visitors to keep their hands clean by providing handwashing or sanitizing stations near playground equipment. This will help to minimize the spread of germs that could cause illnesses like COVID-19.
Remind children to wear clothing that is appropriate for the playground, including long pants and sleeves. This will help to prevent them from getting caught on equipment or strangulation if they get their hair caught in machinery.