Backyards and the outdoors are wonderful
places for children to explore, learn, and get some much-needed physical
activity. Studies show that outdoor play is beneficial to children, stimulating
cognition as well as improving mood and physical fitness. Just like any
activity, however, outdoor play can present risks to children of all ages, but
especially for the youngest. With some planning, instruction, and supervision,
it is possible to enjoy safe outdoor play.
Teach
Boundaries and Acceptable Behavior
There are many potential hazards outdoors.
Part of growing up is learning about the dangers of the world and how to
conform behavior to avoid injury and problems. The first step to encouraging
safe outdoor play is to teach your children where they can
and cannot play and your reasoning. A fence is a physical barrier that can be
easily climbed by most children and is therefore essentially useless as a
deterrent to wandering for all but the smallest children -- who wouldn’t
reasonably be unsupervised anyway. Teaching your children not to play outside
of your yard is more effective than considering a fence as a failsafe.
This same lesson can apply to most backyard
hazards. Write up a list of rules, and if your kids are old enough, ask for
their help in determining these rules. Explain that you want them to be safe,
and express your concerns. Children are resistant to parenting that is dropped
on them unilaterally, so even when you are parenting by decree, including them
in the process helps them understand your mentality.
Outdoor
Play Equipment
Swing sets, jungle gyms, and tree houses are
typical outdoor play equipment that can cause injury if misused. Explain your
reasoning for simple rules. For example, tell them that the swingset is not
designed for children to hang upside-down from the monkey bars. Age-appropriate
use is also important; toddlers can be seriously injured when playing on sets
designed for older kids, and bigger children can get hurt on kiddie equipment.
Do your part as a parent to ensure your
children’s safety by checking equipment throughout the
year. Test out swings and steps, check wood surfaces for splinters, rotted
boards, worn ropes, nail and screw pops, and any other potential hazards.
When buying or installing outdoor play
equipment, make sure you are buying good quality items by checking online
reviews before purchasing. Make sure the playsets are properly installed, and
add appropriate ground covering to absorb the shock of inevitable falls. It is
also crucial, regardless of your children’s age, to ensure that the play
equipment is within your line of sight.
Pool
safety
Backyard pools are sources of endless family
summer fun, but they also present a serious drowning hazard. Again,
establishing rules is one of the best ways to minimize injury risk. Establish
and post a written set of pool rules and enforce them. Explain that “no
running” is not a suggestion -- it’s a sanctionable offense. Learn basic pool safety, and revisit the rules
each year as part of the pool opening routine. Also, prepare an emergency plan
for pool accidents. Often, people do not know what to do in the event of a
serious accident in the backyard. Have a first aid kit and a simple numbered
list of who to call and when. This simple list is for the adult’s benefit as
well as children’s.
Outdoor spaces are excellent places for
children to learn and thrive. Spring and summer bring opportunities for healthy
outdoor activities, and while some risk of injury exists, there are several
ways to mitigate hazards while still enjoying outdoor play.
