It’s the holiday season, and one of the best time’s of the year to live in South Florida. Here, the holiday season doesn’t equal frigid temperatures and snow days, it means cool afternoon and soft breezes. And when coupling that with holiday break from schools, you may be spending more time outside of your home and at your local park with your kids than usual.
The playground can be a great place for kids to work out their energy and spend time with their friends, but it can also be a dangerous place if your children are not careful.
Here are some tips to make sure they have a safe, fun time at the playground:
- Make sure your children are supervised. Especially if your playground you are visiting has swings and climbing equipment, it is important to keep an eye on your children to make sure they are not attempting a dangerous feat.
- Check the playground for hazards. While equipment might be perfectly safe when it is installed, over the years, it might start to develop dangers from neglect or disrepair. Do a quick survey to make sure the ground cover is thick enough, the equipment isn’t rusted, and that there is no damage to the plastic or metal pieces.
- Instruct your children on playground etiquette. For example, it’s important to teach children that crowding, pushing, and shoving are not okay while on the playground. Not only is it not nice, it can hurt the other children. Emphasizing the importance of taking turns and sharing can also help to prevent fights, tantrums, and screaming, which can ruin the playground for everyone.
- Make sure your kids are dressed to play. Loose clothing and jewelry can become a hazard when children are running and climbing. It’s important to make sure they are wearing comfortable clothing that won’t be a strangulation hazard or get caught on the equipment.
- Find the right play area. If you have a young toddler, a playground designed for and swarmed by six-year-olds might not be the right place for them to play. Look for a playground that has equipment that is safe for your child and that has children of a similar age playing around it.
While we at Shaefer Insurance are your local Venice insurance experts, are main focus is to ensure that you and your family are always safe. I hope these tips help, and that you have a safe and happy holiday season!
