Playing it safe

At the present more and more children is growing up in Slovakia in the midst of prefab concrete high-rise building. Parents are happy that their children does not play computer games and go out. Outdoors play equipment provide fun, fresh air and excercises. But on the other hand it is some kind of safety „ hazard“. Parents should pay attention to public playground more.

Playgrounds offer hundred of options of swings, ladders, slides climbing equipment but in generally the playground surface is the most important safety precaution. Surface such as asphalt, cement, dirt, grass and rocks are not acceptable surfaces. These recommended surfaces include various materials such as wood fiber chips or bark mulch, pea gravel, sand, sawed rubber or other synthetic thing as rubber tiles and mats. All these objects should be placed beneath and around equipment.

It is importnant to note that no surface guarantee safety, specially against orthopadict injuries like broken wrists and ankles. Playground equipment should be designed for three different age groups: infants under 2 year, 2 – to 5 – years olds (presschoolers), and 5- to 12-years old (school-age kids). Swings are the most frequent source of childhood injuries from moving eqiupment on playground. So it should be made of soft material such as rubber or plastic, not wood or metal.

Parents can help prevent playground accidents by taking some precautions, too. For example ensuring that there's adult supervision at the playground, and making sure that the equipment is appropriate to a child's age and maturity level.

It is sad our youth causes a lot of damage on place where they used to play as children. There you can find some objects that pollute this nice area. You can spend some time by picking up pieces of broken glass bottles, cigarette butts and ground is overgrown by weeds.

Many of you will probably do not care about these things untill you have your own children. But you remember play is an important part of kids' physical, social, intellectual, and emotional development. Now or later you try make it a better and safer place for the little ones. One ways is reporting problems to the city parks department, school or other organization that is responsible for the upkeep of the playground. Or you solve this problem by yourself. It´s up tu you!!!