| Keeping kids safe, especially during outdoor play, is a | | | | wet down in hot weather. Wet sand is a better play |
| main priority for parents. Many may not realize that | | | | medium than dry sand. |
| there are fairly strict guidelines to children’s | | | | * Equipment — Each part of the kids play |
| outdoor play equipment. All public parks, child care | | | | equipment has guidelines to the heights and widths |
| centres, and any place that children play publicly or in | | | | and how far off the ground they are allowed to be. |
| a care environment must have play areas that | | | | Equipment that you buy readymade should already |
| comply. | | | | follow these standards. There are far too many to |
| At home we are generally more relaxed, but large | | | | mention in one article but these guidelines are readily |
| equipment you buy should already follow these | | | | available online. |
| guidelines. Even kits that you construct should comply | | | | * Soft Fall – this refers to what is underfoot |
| with standards. If you are a do-it-yourselfer you | | | | around the active areas. Most parks will have pine |
| might want to think about these requirements and | | | | bark or woodchips. Sawdust, sand, or even grass |
| build accordingly. | | | | isn’t the best thing to use to cushion a fall. Public |
| This is far from wrapping our kids in cotton wool. | | | | indoor active play areas (e.g. fast food restaurants) |
| It’s more to do with preventing heads getting | | | | have a soft foam material they use. |
| jammed between bars, steps being too far apart, | | | | Regular Inspection |
| and what will be underneath the children when they | | | | This is one way that you will prevent accidents and |
| do end up on the ground. | | | | injuries at home. Do regular inspections of equipment |
| It cannot be stressed enough that by far the best | | | | to be sure it isn’t failing anywhere. Trampolines, |
| protection for any child is responsible adult | | | | swings, climbing frames etc can be hazardous when |
| supervision. No matter how ‘safe’ your area | | | | not kept in good repair. Make this a regular task. |
| is, or how strictly it follows guidelines children need | | | | It’s not like we all need to have full blown |
| supervision. Those under six years of age should not | | | | regulated play area in our backyards, but taking some |
| be outdoors unsupervised for any period alone. | | | | care is always a good thing. Supervision and keeping |
| Those older may not need supervising ion their own | | | | equipment and areas in good condition will go a long |
| backyard every second but do check on a regular | | | | way to keeping kids safe. |
| basis and supervise as much as possible. | | | | If you have kids other than your own children, you |
| Australian Government Guidelines | | | | do have a duty of care to see that those children |
| The government has set guidelines for public parks | | | | are safe while on your property. There is no greater |
| but they also have a stringent set of guidelines for | | | | way to get offside with anyone than if their children |
| childcare centres. This would include family day care. | | | | are injured. |
| Learning through outdoor play is also a large | | | | Other Safety Issues While Outdoors |
| component of these standards. Here is an overview | | | | While planning outdoor play there are a few ways to |
| of the main points covered by these standards. | | | | ensure safety apart from the play areas and |
| Remember these aren’t enforced for homes but | | | | equipment. |
| can be taken on board. | | | | * Be Sun Safe – hats, clothing, sunscreen, and |
| * Injury at play – Any injury while playing signals | | | | shade are most important for kids out in the sun. |
| a failure in the ‘play’ aspect. This can have | | | | Also try to limit outdoor play for smaller children |
| implications both physically and psychologically for | | | | during the hottest part of the day between 10am |
| children and therefore any injury is unacceptable. | | | | and 3pm. |
| There is a duty of care by providers to have safe | | | | * Be Water Safe – always have children |
| areas for children to play and learn outdoors. | | | | protected from large bodies of water, pools, even |
| * Spaces – Three main areas must make up an | | | | fountains. Water is an integral part of outdoor play |
| outdoor play area:o Open Area – This would | | | | and should always be encouraged and provided for |
| encompass grassed areas, paths, sheds, mounds.o | | | | kids. But there are safe ways to offer this. Be vigilant |
| Quiet Areas – Areas of low vegetation, trees, | | | | if water is present. |
| landscaped garden areas, vegetable gardens, sanded | | | | * Be Animal Safe – Nobody ever thinks that their |
| areas, cubby houses, seats etc, anywhere a child | | | | beloved pet would hurt the family children. Maybe not |
| might go for less active play or a rest.o Active area | | | | but other kids might not be the same. Also, |
| – As it indicates this is the area with the major | | | | unsupervised time with animals will more than likely |
| play equipment, digging patches, water course/creek, | | | | end up being some sort of threat to the safety of a |
| bike tracks, and platforms. | | | | child, the younger the child the more risk associated. |
| All of these things are allowable if there is space and | | | | A cat scratch, a bird’s beak, and dog bite can |
| a lawn area is recommended for at least one third of | | | | inflict harm. |
| the outdoor area. Mounds should be kept low and | | | | Keeping kids safe during outdoor play can be a |
| not take up the majority of the grassed area. Paths | | | | stressful time for many. But if you buy good, |
| and paving should allow disabled access and solid | | | | standards compliant outdoor play equipment and |
| pathways are required between selected areas. | | | | toys, have it installed correctly, and supervise |
| There should also be adequate shade areas including | | | | adequately for the age groups, your kids will avoid |
| over the sandpit. Sandpits need to be as large as | | | | most major injuries. |
| possible to allow room for play, and also should be | | | | |