Most playground injuries happen when a child falls from the equipment onto the ground. According to the US Consumer product Safety commissions (USPSC) there are more than 200,000 emergency room visits for children who were injured at the playground each year. And while most of these happen when a child falls from the equipment, unfortunately there are plenty of other ways to get hurt. My friend's 1 ½ year old son just broke his leg going down a slide with his older sibling. So in honor of Dylan, poor little fellow in a cast for the next 4 weeks, but still smiling, I thought I would put out a list of things to consider when going to the playground. There are articles out there warning people that slides are dangerous if going down with an adult, but no one ever thinks this will happen to them, and frankly this is the first time I personally, have ever seen it happen when they went slid down with a 4&1/2 year old sibling. The big brother weighs about 40 pounds. If a little one is sitting on the lap of a parent or someone heavier, the relative force is greater due to the additional weight. This means that if the child’s foot catches on the side of the slide, the faster speed and the extra force, makes the chance of a broken bone more likely. Even when they are going down by themselves, getting them in the habit of ‘feet together’ is safer. Playgrounds might be places where accidents can happen, but they are also a wonderful place for kids to play, burn off some energy and have fun. Also playground interactions with other kids are a great time to learn about taking turns, sharing, and even learning the importance of saying “I am sorry” if someone gets an accidental bump. Learning how to ‘play nicely in the proverbial sandbox’ is an important social skill. But we want to keep our kids safe and be prepared in case an accident happens. You have been warned about the slide, but I understand that there might be times where you are at the top and really have no choice but to get down together. Just be very aware of the legs and make sure they are tucked in, and get down safely. Even when kids are going down solo, reminding them to keep their ‘feet together’ is a safe habit. Make sure that kids are on the age appropriate equipment; ideally there are guard rails at the top of the structures. Choose a playground that has a softer ground surface rather than concrete in case they fall. Do a quick check of the equipment to make sure there is nothing broken, rusty or has a jagged edge. Make sure your little one is properly dressed with the right shoes. Sandals and flip flops are more of a tripping hazard. Sturdy, closed toed shoes are better for running around Don’t wear necklaces or clothes with loose material that can get caught If it is a warm day, check any surfaces before playing on them. I have seen kids get burned from a hot metal slide, but other materials can also get pretty hot. If it has been raining, wet slides can be VERY fast, so be careful. Is there sand? Do a little sift of the sand before they sit down to make sure there isn’t anything gross in there. Sorry to say, I have seen everything from syringes, to broken glass, to cat poop. Teach your kids to be aware before walking in front of or behind a swing, or in front of a slide. For the really young kids the only option is usually those little bucket swings. Make sure they have enough core and head control to be able to sit in those safely. Bring along a little blanket to pad them to make the seat even more secure. If there are mosquitos around have insect protection If there are lots of bushes, tall grass, do a tick check when you get home What happens if there is an injury? Take a breath. The first question is simple. Is this an actual emergency or not? If there is loss of consciousness or potential neck injury, call 911 immediately. This is never the wrong choice. I would much rather have help arrive when you realize it isn’t really necessary, then delay in case you actually do. If your child is crying that means they are conscious and breathing. Stay calm and do a further assessment. Are you concerned about possible head injury? My blog post goes into detail about this Having a properly stocked diaper bag or backpack can make an enormous difference. Here are some things I suggest you pack in there: A pair of clean socks (these are perfect for applying some pressure in case there is some bleeding) Have some gauze and Coban bandages on hand, but once you get home, do a thorough cleaning and re-dress with some antibiotic ointment. If bleeding lasts longer than 15 minutes, a laceration or gash needs medical attention. instant cold packs are great to apply to any bruises or sprains. Arnica gel can be very helpful for bumps, sprains and bruises as well. Kids often get comfort from having you put ‘something’ on the booboo. Arnica is perfect for that. Other health concerns Make sure you keep your kids hydrated. If it is hot and humid, pedialyte is perfect. The powder packets can be mixed in your water bottle. Okay, you just read this and are ready to put your kid in bubble wrap and never go outside ever again, let alone a playground. That was not the intent. Kids need to play and run around! I will share that this grandma has a little trouble watching my grandson climb. Two year olds can be parrots and everyone got a kick out of his “Oy Vey” after a trip to the playground with me! . |
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