The start of the new school year is just a few weeks away. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), most accidents that injure children on playgrounds or during school hours are “completely preventable.” Experienced New York child injury attorneys encourage families to celebrate their child’s next educational step by kicking off the new school year with a focus on playground and school safety.
Here are a few ways you can help your kids have more fun and prevent injuries when school begins:
- Play smarter. Even young kids can learn to identify risky places to play. When you go to the playground with kids, teach them to pay attention to the surfaces under play equipment. Soft sand, mulch, or gravel helps cushion falls from play equipment, but hard grass, concrete, or sand should be avoided.
- Don’t hang around. Climbing bars and “hand over hand” bars cause more falls and injuries than any other type of playground equipment, according to the NSC. Encourage kids to stick to the swings or slide, or teach them a few games they can play with friends that don’t involve climbing equipment.
- Mind the backpack. Overloaded backpacks can cause serious injury to growing bodies. Make sure your child’s backpack weighs no more than 10 to 20 percent of his or her current body weight. For instance, a 60-pound child should carry a backpack that weighs no more than 6 to 12 pounds. Look for backpacks with ergonomic straps and waist belts to make carrying books and equipment safer and more comfortable.