Playground Safety Tips for Families in Tampa, FL

Happy child playing on a sliding board at a playground

With so many parks and playgrounds in the Tampa, Florida, area, your children likely have plenty of opportunities to play and exercise outside. And that’s a good thing: Studies show that kids who spend time outdoors are fitter and healthier than their more sedentary counterparts.

However, along with any type of physical activity comes the risk of injury, and playtime is no exception. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), each year emergency rooms across the U.S. treat approximately 200,000 children for playground-related injuries, such as broken bones, sprained ligaments, lacerations, concussions, and dislocated joints. Here are some helpful tips on how to keep your kids safe on the playground:

Supervise Their Play

Whenever your children want to head to a playground, make sure that they are accompanied by you or another responsible adult. That way, if an injury occurs, you can provide immediate help. Once you arrive, check for safety issues, such as broken or rusted equipment and hard or slippery surfaces. If you discover any hazards, report them immediately to the organization responsible for maintaining the site, such as a school, park authority, or city council. Don’t allow your kids to use the equipment until it is repaired and restored to a safe condition.

Before your kids venture out, make sure that their shoes are tied. Also, remind them that it is never okay to push, shove, roughhouse, or crowd another child; instead, encourage them to take turns and give everyone a chance to have some fun.

While at the playground, be fully present (put your phone away) so you can actively oversee your kids’ play. This shouldn’t be difficult—little ones love to show off to their parents, other relatives, and friends: “Look, Mom!” “Watch this, Dad!” Most likely, they’ll be constantly calling out for you to watch them climb, swing, and slide. You can help keep them safe while building their self-esteem.

Choose the Right Activities

Make sure that your children use only age-appropriate playground equipment. This is especially important for younger kids—there should be a separate, well-maintained play area for children ages 5 and under. If you have a toddler, look for a smooth, soft surface that he or she can easily walk on. Synthetic turf, sand, wood chips, and shredded rubber are best; you’ll want to avoid play areas covered in asphalt, concrete, gravel, grass, and dirt. If you have a baby who can sit up with support, you might try putting him or her in a bucket-type swing.

If you’d like more tips on how to keep your family safe and healthy, please see South Tampa Immediate Care’s full list of online health articles. Also, be sure to contact us if you have any questions or would like information about the medical services we offer at our walk-in clinic in Tampa, FL.