Hiccups » playground safety http://blog.newsok.com/hiccups Hiccups parenting blog is written by parents for parents and their children Fri, 29 Mar 2013 20:01:58 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5 Summer Safety Series: Playground Risks http://blog.newsok.com/hiccups/2009/04/22/summer-safety-series-playground-risks/ http://blog.newsok.com/hiccups/2009/04/22/summer-safety-series-playground-risks/#comments Wed, 22 Apr 2009 22:00:53 +0000 hiccups http://blog.newsok.com/hiccups/?p=422 This week is Playground Safety Week (April 19-25). It celebrates the 28th anniversary of the U.S.

]]> This week is Playground Safety Week (April 19-25). It celebrates the 28th anniversary of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s “Handbook for Public Playground Safety” – a document many states use as the basis for the playground safety laws.

The Safe Kids Coalition (which has a chapter in Oklahoma) gives these reminders about keeping kids safe on playground equipment:

1. Make sure the equipment is inspected frequently and kept in good repair.

2. Be sure surfacing beneath equipment is safe.  The ground should be covered 12 inches deep with energy-absorbing material (rubber, sand, wood chips) and not grass or soil.

3. Don’t let kids wear helmets, necklaces, purses or clothing that has drawstrings around the neck, such as hoodies.

4. Don’t allow kids to engage in or play near, those who are pushing, shoving or crowding around the equipment.

5. Keep toddlers younger than age 5 in a separate play area, away from equipment designed for bigger kids. 

6. Above all, keep your children in sight and within reach at all times.  Give them your undivided attention when they’re playing on or near playground equipment.

Playgrounds are meant to be an enjoyable, fun time for children.  Let’s keep them safe.

276376614308_0_alb3-Erica Smith, Copy Editor

esmith@opubo.com

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