Playing It Safe

Your neighborhood’s playground can be a bonanza for walking, running, climbing and jumping toddlers. Stay close by as your toddler plays and follow these safety precautions:

Make sure your child uses toddler-safe swings (with close supervision).
Check metal surfaces to make sure they aren’t hot enough to burn your child.
Avoid equipment like see-saws and jungle gyms, which—while tempting for toddlers—require more advanced motor skills than they possess.

Choosing a Safe Playground

Before you let your toddler head off to explore and play, take a good look at the playground. Evaluate it for the following:

Points or corners that can cause injury.
Cargo nets or openings wide enough to stick heads or limbs through.
Tripping hazards, such as ropes, cables, tree roots and rocks.
Equipment that is not secured to the ground.
A ground surface that is not soft enough to offer some cushioning.

If it doesn’t appear safe, find another play space.

This message is not intended to provide individual medical advice. Always seek the advice of a physician or qualified healthcare provider for any questions you have about your health or medical condition, your breastfeeding issues and your infant's health. Never disregard, avoid or delay contacting a doctor or other qualified professional because of something you have read in our emails, webpages or other electronic communications.