Child safety: Play and sports
The areas we don’t expect to be a danger to our children are toys, sports, art supplies and playgrounds. This isn’t always the case though.
Toys and their packaging, for instance, can be a choking or suffocation hazard if not age-appropriate. For this reason, the ChildSafe campaign suggests you use the ‘Four S’ guidelines when buying and doing a toy cleanout.
- Size: The smaller the child, the bigger the toy should be
- Shape: No sharp or rough edges
- Surface: Should be non-toxic and non-flammable
- Strings: There should be no cords, ropes, ribbons or strings on a toy for a young child
Attention should also be given to play safety measures. Whether it’s out at a park or in your back garden, playground equipment should be stable, in good condition and have an impact-absorbing surface. Keep an eye out for rubble and broken glass and make sure the play equipment is positioned away from any hard and pointed structures that could cause injury.
Trampolines are great fun for children and give their bodies a great low-impact workout. Trampolines are safest when they are set into the ground with the springs covered by protective mats. If this is not possible, ensure the trampoline has a protective surround to prevent falls.
Sports also offer great benefits to children, ensuring healthy bodies, development of fine and gross motor skills, emotional growth, good self-esteem and important life skills. Ensuring your child has proper protective equipment is critical though, as their bodies are still developing and they may not have fully mastered their co-ordination as yet.
Head injuries in children are a particular concern and helmets should always be worn when cycling, playing cricket and other sports involving hard balls, tackling and wrestling. Speak to your child’s sports teacher or coach about other protective equipment and teach your child to be responsible in always using these elements.
Arts and crafts aren’t just fun activities for your children, they offer many benefits in the way of physical, mental and emotional development. However, before pulling out your old paint sets, remember that supplies should always be child-friendly and non-toxic. Smaller children should always be supervised while doing arts and crafts, and small decorative elements should be secured and packed away out of reach of your children to avoid choking and suffocation incidents.
