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What are Some Examples of Playground Safety Rules for 4-5 Year Olds?

Playgrounds are a great place to take your child to play and to socialize with other children and parents. Unfortunately playgrounds can also present certain safety hazards to both you and your child, leading to the need for a few simple safety rules to help protect your family. Utilizing these rules and going over them with your child and child's caregiver prior to going to the playground can help you to keep your family safe.

  1. Observation

    • While at the park, it is easy to get distracted by other children or their parents. Make an effort to maintain visual contact with your child. This allows you to know where your child is at all times on the playground and to monitor whom they are interacting with. This helps you to keep them away from strangers and harmful activities such as jumping from unsafe heights.

    Accompany Your Child on Equipment

    • Another easy safety rule for parents or caregivers on the playground is to accompany their child when they are using certain pieces of equipment, particularly those that are high above the ground or are open, such as monkey bars. Make sure that your child is aware of the pieces of equipment that you want to help them on and let them know to come and get you when they are ready to play in those places. Accompanying your child will help you to keep your child safe by making sure that they do not fall off of potentially dangerous equipment.

    Strangers

    • Educate your child about not talking to strangers, even when they are at the playground with you. It is potentially easier for a child to be approached by a stranger in a crowded play area than when they are alone with you. Make sure that your child understands that they should not talk to or accept gifts from strangers. Even if you are maintaining visual contact with your child at all times, it is possible that someone could approach them before you could get there. Let your child know that it is OK to run away and ask for assistance from a familiar adult.

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