Playgrounds and outdoor play equipment offer children fresh air, friends, fun, and exercise. But it’s important to make sure that faulty equipment, improper surfaces, and unsafe behaviour don’t ruin the fun. Here are some top tips to help keep your children safe in the playground.

• Actively supervise your child – This might seem the most simple tip, but it can be easy to forget that children need adult supervision. Although playgrounds are designed with child safety in mind, it’s still necessary to supervise, especially if they are younger.
• Report any issues with the playground as soon as possible – As much as playground management companies have a responsibility to make it possible to report issues with a playground, parents have a responsibility too as you are there more to notice any faults.
• Make sure your children use age-appropriate play equipment – One of the most important pieces of safety advice is to ensure that your child is using age-appropriate playground equipment. Playgrounds are designed with specific age groups in mind, and younger children may not have the same coordination or strength as older children.
• Talk to your child about playground safety – Many playground-related injuries stem from children misusing the equipment. Talking to your child about playground safety can help them understand why certain behaviours are dangerous. Explain to them the importance of following playground safety rules and using the equipment correctly.
• Most playground injuries are completely avoidable if children are supervised and the rules are adhered to.