Part four of a six-part series on summer safety.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), every year more than 200,000 kids end up in an emergency room with injuries from playground equipment.  

Most of these injuries occur from falls off the equipment - but there are some precautions Savvy Aunties can take to prevent bumps and bruises, as well as what you should look for in a safe, well-constructed playground:

-First, adult supervision is key.
-Make sure your nieces and nephews are playing on age-appropriate equipment. There should be separate areas for small children.
-A safe surface on playground should be soft with about 12 inches of cushioning made of things such as wood chips, mulch, sand, or a rubber-like material.
-Make sure spacing is adequate for all the equipment and that the equipment secured to the ground properly and is not in disrepair with exposed sharp edges or tripping hazards.
-Don’t let your nieces and nephews play without proper shoes and clothing. Loose shoelaces and clothing with long drawstrings can get tangled and become a strangulation risk.

Published: July 5, 2010