With summer here, parents and caregivers should be extra mindful of outdoor safety. Here are tips from the Injury Prevention Program at Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital to keep your child safe in the sun and on the slide.
For many children, the playground is more than just a place to run, swing, and climb—it’s a joyful space to build strength, confidence, friendships, and imagination. But alongside the benefits of play comes a real need for safety awareness. Each year in the United States, approximately 200,000 children are treated in emergency departments for injuries related to playground equipment, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Many of these injuries are preventable with the right precautions.
The Injury Prevention Program at Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital is committed to keeping kids safe through community education and hands-on prevention. As temperatures climb, so do risks, especially burns from hot playground surfaces. Here’s how parents and caregivers can protect children during outdoor play.
Supervision: Your Child’s First Line of Defense
Even on safe, age-appropriate playgrounds, adult supervision is the best way to prevent injuries. Nearly half of all playground injuries could be avoided with proper supervision. It’s crucial to maintain a visual line of sight with children at all times and be ready to intervene at any moment.
Supervision doesn’t mean hovering or limiting creativity—it means being alert, engaged, and close enough to help if needed. Especially for younger children or toddlers, having an adult nearby can mean the difference between a minor mishap and a trip to the emergency room.
Check the Equipment Before They Play
Before your child rushes onto the playground, take a moment to inspect the area:
- Ensure the equipment is age-appropriate: Playgrounds often have designated areas for different age groups; younger children should not use equipment designed for older kids.
- Look for hazards: Broken equipment, sharp edges, loose bolts, rust, or exposed hardware can all pose risks. Report unsafe conditions to the property owner or local parks and recreation department.
- Inspect the surfacing: The ground under and around equipment should have impact-absorbing material like engineered wood fiber, rubber mats, mulch, or sand. Avoid playgrounds with concrete, asphalt, gravel, or packed dirt beneath structures.
A fall from a height is a leading cause of serious playground injuries like concussions or fractures. Having the right surface below can reduce the severity of injury significantly.
Know the Risk of Burns—Even Without the Sun
While many parents are aware of injury risks from falls, fewer consider the danger of burns from hot playground surfaces. Slides, monkey bars, swings, and rubberized mats can reach dangerous temperatures, even on days that feel mild or overcast.
Surfaces like metal, plastic, and even black rubber can become extremely hot and cause serious burns on a child’s skin in just seconds. What’s tricky is that these materials don’t always look hot, especially if there’s a breeze or cloud cover. But they can still cause serious injury.
Playground and hot surface safety tips:
- Touch surfaces first: Before allowing your child to play, press your hand firmly on the equipment for several seconds. If it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for them.
- Visit early or late: Try to schedule outdoor playtime before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m., when the sun is less intense.
- Dress kids in shoes and clothes that protect skin: Avoid shorts on very hot days, and make sure children are wearing shoes with good soles—flip-flops offer little protection.
- Be cautious with rubber safety surfacing: While rubber mats are safer for fall impact, they can get hotter than sand or mulch. If they’re too hot, it’s time to move play indoors or to shaded areas.
Sun Safety and Hydration Matter Too
Summer sun adds another layer of risk, especially for young children who are more vulnerable to heat-related illness and sunburn.
- Apply sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher about 15 minutes before heading outside and reapply every two hours—or more often if children are sweating or in water.
- Have your child wear a hat and UV-protective sunglasses.
- Keep a water bottle handy and encourage frequent sips, even if your child says they’re not thirsty.
Dehydration can creep up quickly during active outdoor play. Watch for early signs like dry lips, dizziness, or irritability.
Dress for Safety and Mobility
What your child wears to the playground can impact their safety:
- Avoid clothing with drawstrings, loose cords, or necklaces, which can get caught on equipment and pose a strangulation hazard.
- Choose breathable, lightweight fabrics that protect the skin from both the sun and hot surfaces.
- Make sure shoes are snug and provide traction to help prevent slips or twisted ankles.
Teach Safe Play Behavior
Teaching children how to behave responsibly on the playground can also prevent injury. Reinforce rules like:
- No pushing, shoving, or crowding on equipment.
- Taking turns and being aware of other children around them.
- Using slides feet-first and one at a time.
- Holding on to rails and climbing equipment properly.
Be Prepared for Minor Injuries
Scrapes, bumps, and bruises are a normal part of growing up. Having a small first-aid kit with bandages, antiseptic wipes, and ice packs on hand can help manage minor injuries quickly and prevent infection. If your child falls or hits their head, watch closely for signs of concussion, which can include:
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness or unsteady walking
- Confusion or appearing dazed
- Sudden tiredness or difficulty staying awake
If you suspect a concussion, seek medical attention immediately. It’s always better to err on the side of caution with head injuries.
When to Seek Emergency Care
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department if your child experiences:
- Loss of consciousness
- Difficulty breathing
- Severe bleeding
- Signs of a broken bone (swelling, bruising, inability to move a limb)
- Symptoms of heat exhaustion or heatstroke (flushed skin, lethargy, vomiting, or confusion)
Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital offers specialized pediatric emergency care and is here for families when injuries go beyond minor. Additionally, the Injury Prevention Program is dedicated to educating families and the community on how to prevent injuries before they happen, ensuring the safety and well-being of children. Through the program, families can access safety classes and valuable resources on helmet safety, e-bike safety, pedestrian safety, car-seat safety, teen driving tips, and much more.
A Safe Summer Starts With You
Playgrounds are an essential part of childhood—but safety starts before your child steps foot on the equipment. With a few simple precautions, you can prevent injuries and ensure that time spent outdoors remains fun, safe, and enriching.
