The childhood of today’s generation is way different from the previous generations. In a world full of technological advancements, children prefer playing video games and phones over going outside to play at playgrounds. Technology has undoubtedly made knowledge available for young children and has made them competent, but at what cost? Playing outdoors in the playground is an essential part of children’s growth and development. It not only helps them get physically fit but also allows them to flourish their mental well being. Playing outdoors has a significant impact on the overall development of a child. It helps build muscle, improves the motor system, helps them make new friends and socialize, helps with better coordination, reflex and team skills, etc.
There is no denying that playing outdoors comes with some minor or even severe risks at times. An estimated 500,000 children under the age of 14 are injured every year, and some of these cases even require emergency room care. These injuries are mainly caused due to unclear instructions on the playground set. Young minds are curious and are always ready to explore, but that shouldn’t put them at risk. As a parent, guardian or the owner of a public play park, it is important to check and make sure that the child has a happy and safe playtime at the park. While you cannot control how your child plays at the park, you can provide instructions or safety precautions to educate the child or the child’s parent. Playground owners and authorities should make sure that the equipment is installed properly with good spacing and must take care of the floor height. The base of the equipment should be made with softer materials like sand or ground soil as other harder bases made with concrete can cause injury to the child.
All of these precautions are important to follow to stay out of any legal problems if a child injures themselves at the park. Here are some essential precaution signs that you must put up on outside play equipment:
Age Appropriateness Info
It is difficult for parents to just look at the playground design and decide if it’s appropriate for their child. That’s why it is essential to label the play structure with an age appropriateness information signboard. These labels segregate the playground equipment for different age groups of children. The most commonly used ones are for ages ‘6 to 23 months’, ‘2 to 5 years’, ‘5 to 10 years’.
Hot Surface Warning
Some playground equipment can become hazardous for children, especially during the summer months, as the plastic or metal build equipment can get hot and cause injury to kids. In warm climates, it is recommended to put a roof or a cover on the playset. A hot surface warning warns adults to touch and check the temperature before allowing their child to play with it.
Adult Supervision Requirements
Some playground equipment can cause injuries to the child. For instance, a playset without corrosion paint can gather rust or some equipment that might have sharp edges that harm the child. An ‘Adult Supervision’ signboard alerts the parent to check the equipment before allowing the child to play with it.
As an owner of a playground, it is your responsibility to ensure that the child has a safe and happy experience at the playground, so installing these signboards is the right thing to do. Are you looking for playground equipment that is absolutely safe for children? Head over to our website and check out our long-range of fun and attractive playground equipment. Contact us and get a quote right away!
