Little is more exciting than the transition
from spring to summer, the snow melts away and school draws to a close. As we
slide into the warmer months filled with picnics and pool parties, it can be
easy to fall into a sense of carefree ease. But as school comes to an end and
more time is freed up to spend on the jungle gym in the summer sun, here are a
few things to keep in mind for the safety of your little ones:

Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen

Even if it doesn’t feel like you are going to
be outside for very long, skipping on sunscreen can lead to numerous long and
short term complications. It’s an easy precaution to take and developing good
sunscreen habits at an early age makes all the difference later in life.
Sunglasses, hats, and finding shady spots help to limit sun exposure as
well.

Establish a boundary

If your child likes to roam, establish
boundaries in which they can play. Making sure they have an awareness and
understanding of their surroundings can help avoid getting lost or losing sight
of them.

Put the phone away

It has become especially easy to sit back and
tune out while your little one is doing their own thing. But staying engaged
and alert is as important as ever. Supervision is paramount at playgrounds,
ensuring the safety of your child and others. It can also negatively impact
your kid if they witness an adult constantly paying attention to their mobile device or smart phone. Feelings of neglect can manifest and they start to learn that being
glued to technology is more important than enjoying family time outside.

Promote age-appropriate play

Everyone has tried to squeeze into the bucket
swing when they are clearly far to big for it and inevitably get stuck, but
kiddos should be aware of where is best to play for their age. Most playgrounds
have toddler-friendly equipment and areas intended for older children. If your
child is old enough to watch out for the tiny tots, giving them a sense of
responsibility to look out for them is a great way to keep them in tune to
those around them. If you have a toddler on your hands, extra supervision is a
must.

Test the equipment temperature

There is nothing more painful than going down
a slide wearing shorts and realizing after it’s too late that the slide is
extremely hot! Lots of playground equipment can get very hot to touch in the
summer sun. A burn on exposed skin can ruin a day in an instant. Make sure
metal and plastic apparatuses are safe to touch and have your child wear
clothing that won’t leave them susceptible to burns and rashes.

If you are
worried about the heat and the possibility of very hot equipment this summer, contact us, and we can send you a free quote for a possible shade structure to over your
playground or playground site!

Need funds for a possible shade over your playground keep kids safe this summer? Check out the The AAD Shade Structure Grant Program! They awards grants of up to $8,000 to public schools and non-profit organizations for installing permanent shade structures for outdoor locations that are not protected from the sun, such as playgrounds, pools or recreation spaces.

Last, but not least

Stay hydrated, keep healthy snacks on hand,
and have fun!