We love going to the playground during the summer. There are two playgrounds within ten minutes (or less) walking distance from our house and one of the nicer parks in Albany is roughly half an hour walk (depending on how fast we walk). I enjoy taking both girls to the park, and sometimes Squeaker and I will go on our own while Sweet B is at camp. We also enjoy meeting up at the playground and park for playdates. Today, I want to share my tips on motherhood for summertime playground safety though most of these tips can be used at any time of the year that you visit the playground. And while most tips are pretty common sense, I still think it’s important to talk about them.
Since she’s become more mobile, Squeaker has really enjoyed going to the playground. Either with her sister, her older brothers, or just the two of us. During the summertime, we try to get outside more often and take advantage of the sunny summer days. Sometimes though, it can be too warm during the day.
Top Tips for Summertime Playground Safety
First tip: be mindful of the times that you’re at the playground. Peak hours for the sun are between 10AM and 2PM. We use this time to have indoor play, reading, lunch, etc. And then head outside around 2:30. Or we’ll wait until Sweet B is home from camp and go to the playground around 4:30. The weather, when it decides to cooperate, is usually much less hot and humid in the afternoon.
If we do go outdoors between 10 and 2, we always carry water bottles, sun hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, and umbrellas from time to time. We also try to seek out the more shaded areas of the park.
Second tip: Never leave children unattended. While I’m certainly not suggesting that you need to be 100% hands on at the playground, always make sure that you can see your children no matter where they are. The one smaller playground that we frequent, allows for me to stand at the swings with Squeaker while Sweet B is on the merry go round.
I can easily keep an eye on Sweet B and still attend to Squeaker.
Third tip: Always bring a first aid kit with you. Accidents happen and you never know when something could pop up. You don’t have to take an elaborate first aid kit, but we keep one in the diaper bag that includes: band aids, ACE bandages, ice packs (the kind you don’t have to freeze), allergy meds (for Sweet B), hydrocortisone, fever reducer/pain reliever (infant and child), gauze, and antiseptic wipes.
Fourth tip: Make sure that your cell phone is charged. It doesn’t matter how far away you are from home, you always want to make sure that your phone has a good charge. Just in case you have an accident or emergency situation that requires more than your first aid kit, be prepared and have your cell phone ready. You cannot always rely on others at the playground when you are the only ones at the playground.
Fifth tip: Don’t put your younger children on playground equipment that’s not meant for them. While Sweet B loves the merry go round, I would never put Squeaker on there without me sitting with her.
And as you can see, Squeaker really loves the swings.
BONUS TIP: Consider getting accident insurance.
- Aflac’s accident insurance is offered through a direct basis and through company benefits programs.
- While families usually cannot purchase accident insurance until their company offers open enrollment each fall, it is important to understand what accident insurance is and how it can help keep your family’s finances protected prior to selecting next year’s benefits.
- Accident insurance helps families stay ahead of the medical and out-of-pocket expenses that add up quickly after an injury, so they can focus on recovery – not finances.
- Cash benefits can be used to help cover emergency treatment, hospital stays and medical exams but also for other expenses families may face, such as transportation costs, lodging needs and daily living expenses like groceries or monthly bills.
- Accident insurance may be particularly important to families who generally do not meet their major medical deductibles since benefits can be used to help pay out-of-pocket medical costs, including deductibles and copayments.
- Aflac will be introducing a new accident plan that includes a benefit for injuries sustained while playing an organized sport. This summer, in advance of open enrollment, take some time to look at what insurance is offered by your employer to be sure you have the right coverage for your family.
In 2015, Fortune magazine included Aflac on its list of Most Admired Companies for the 14th time, ranking the company No. 1 in innovation for the insurance, life and health category.
What summertime playground tips do you have to share?
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
Kori
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Never leave kids to their own devices on the playground. That’s my biggest tip for parents with kids around 6. They are masters of doing things they shouldn’t! 😉
We liked visiting the local playground every week when my kids were young. These are some great tips to keep in mind just in case!
These are very great tips. I’m such a worry wart when it comes to my kiddos and not wanting them to get hurt.
Thankfully my kids are older now so I worry a little less at the park, but I still worry. There is always something at a park that someone can get hurt on if they don’t pay attention!
These are great tips. We frequent the nearby playground during the summer. I think having an accident insurance is a smart idea.
Great tips! I am always hoovering. I used to sit and chit chat with friends, but now that I have more kiddos and they are older.. I’m all on top of it because you never know. Just one second and OUCH!
Those are some excellent tips for safety on the playground and I really appreciate the reminders. It’s definitely also a good idea to have a first aid kit on hand just in case. You never know when you might need it!
We love to go to the playground, and I love the idea of taking an umbrella when the sun is really hot. A first aid kit is a must have for my family when we are on the go.
I never thought of getting accident insurance for this type of ordeal. However, it makes perfect sense.
We did not have a playground near our home and the park is kms away. Kids these days don’t go out to the playground or the park as often as in the past since most prefer playing computer games at home. These are great safety tips nonetheless.
Some playgrounds do seem safer than others. If one is not good, I won’t return.
Those are really great tips. And yes, don’t leave your kids unattended. The last thing you want to happen is realizing that your kid is nowhere in sight.
That’s pretty cool that Aflac will be offering insurance to cover sports-related injuries – that sounds like something new and different. I would have never thought to bring along a first-aid kit for a trip to the playground – good tip.
What great tips you have highlighted today! it is sad the world has changed so much since I grew up and it is never safe to leave children by themselves at a playground! While one cannot smother them either, it is always good to at least know who and where they are!