While the park is a great place for your kids to burn off some energy and spend some much needed time outdoors, every parent has heard horror stories about something bad happening to their child while at a public park. But luckily, there are quite a few things you can do to ensure that your child remains safe each and every time you go to the park together.
To help you learn how this can be possible with you and your children, here are three tips for keeping your kids safe when playing at a public park.
Teach Kids To Steer Clear Of Animals
Children are naturally curious, especially when it comes to things they don’t have a lot of exposure to at home, like animals. So when your child sees an animal at the park, whether that animal is wild or a pet, they might not be able to control themselves and their excitement without a little bit of practice beforehand.
Because of this, David Reeves, a contributor to KidsInTheHouse.com, advises that you teach your kids how to be safe or even just avoid animals that they encounter when out in public. By doing this, you will be able to help your children avoid things like getting bitten by an animal or being in a scary situation that becomes traumatizing for them.
Be An Active Supervisor
When you take your kids to a public park, it’s your responsibility to ensure that they’re being safe. In most situations, this means being an active supervisor of your children, what they’re doing, and the people they might be interacting with.
While you might get distracted for a moment or two, Erin Phelan, a contributor to Today’s Parent, shares that you should always stay within eyesight and hearing distance of your child. Additionally, keep things that could distract you to a minimum, like being on your phone or socializing with others at the park.
Know And Enforce The Rules Of The Park
One of the best ways to keep your kids safe when going to a public park is to follow the rules that are in place for that specific park. Based on what the park has to offer, different rules will likely be posted. And while you might think that some of these rules aren’t that important, they really are there to keep people safe.
According to Robin McClure, a contributor to Very Well Family, you should make sure to read and follow any posted signage around the park you’re visiting and make sure you explain any rules specific to that park to your children before allowing them to play.
To help keep your children safe, consider using the tips mentioned above the next time you go to a public park together.