Nanny GPS: Safety at Play

Children love to play and free playtime is an essential element for child development. It's all very normal for kids to fall, cut their knees and have little accidents when playing. Falling and little accidents help children learn about their own physical limitations, as well as hand and eye co-ordination. As a responsible adult supervising younger children in play grounds there are some important rules children should follow.

Some of the generally accepted play ground rules are:

• Not to play in bare feet as play grounds may have sharp or dangerous objects lying around.

• Always protect hands and fingers from sharp objects, pinching or crushing.

• Always sit down on a swing. Don't stand up as the child might fall off.

• Only use the slide when the slide is clear and the person in front has gotten off the slide.

• Never climb up the slide the wrong way.

• Be mindful of swings and never walk too close to swing as there is a high risk of being hit.

• Get off see-saws in a controlled manner. Never jump off leaving someone at the other end.

• Close the entrance to the play ground after you so young children can't escape.