There is always talk that toys should be safe, but today that the houses are filled with gifts from Santa Claus, and that in other homes they wait impatiently for the arrival of the Magi, we wanted to talk about the security of the spaces where you play.
A good part of the lessons acquired by children are transmitted by playing with toys or friends. And considering the amount of hours dedicated to this activity (especially on vacation), we can think that the spaces dedicated to games should also be safe. From the hand of the National Association of Child Safety, I bring you a decalogue of recommendations to adapt the spaces to the needs of children in relation to the game.
I understand that These are aspects that we must take into account especially with very young children and in closed places, although outdoor playgrounds must also be required to comply with safety conditions.
At home: prudence and security
For babies, any object that exists in our homes, becomes a toy with which to improvise and create new games with which to grow, that's why those that are within their reach and are likely to cause risks to the child should be eliminated.
Toys that are not intended for children under 36 months should be kept at a distance when children of different ages interact in the same space. So there will be no risk that they share toys.
I think this can be useful when they play small up to five or six years old, because if they are older they will not easily accept baby toys. On the other hand, if there is an adult available, you can take care of providing your toys to those over three years of age when they need them, making sure that they are not available to babies.
When the game takes place at the home of family, friends or acquaintances, it does not exempt those responsible for the minor from adapting the spaces and toys that the small guest will use
Homes and other spaces
Babies with poor motor skills should play in confined spaces with their toys in controlled areas.
In general, the surfaces where the game is played must be continuous and non-slip (avoid the use of brighteners and waxes), free of insurmountable unevenness depending on the motor development of the child and the game (special attention to the runners, walkers, etc., when traveling near stairs and curbs).
On the other hand, the close relationship of children with the ground forces it to be warm and comfortable, in addition, according to the game and motor control it should also be slightly soft.
The walls and equipment (furniture, doors, windows, decoration, etc.) it must be protected within what is called a safety zone (1.20 m high), offering the child the necessary security to minimize the consequences of falls, crashes, or climbing
It is important teach children to collect toys, as well as maintaining a good organization of the objects with which they play. This should be so because the play and traffic areas must be well lit and free of obstacles.
Outdoor play
There are toys that can need add-ons to get security: helmets, elbow and knee protectors, etc ... We must take this into account and provide them to children to avoid unexpected consequences after an accident.
The elements must be inspected prior to completion. Playgrounds are usually quite controlled in this regard, even so the hygiene of the floors, the damages by vandalism and the use of wear of the same can cause that they do not fulfill the requirements of security.
The spaces intended for children's leisure must comply with a very strict safety regulation, in addition to ensuring that this is the case, we must respect the instructions of those responsible for the facilities.
Sometimes children are lucky to have open spaces near Nature to develop their games, it is our case, and I know that I do not have to worry too much. Only for remind them to trust their abilities and not risk more than necessary. Of course, I recognize that, in general, households are not designed with children in mind.
Images | hslo, Chris_Parfitt Source | National Association for Child Safety in Peques and More | By optimizing the design factors in the rubber pavements installed in our playgrounds, you can improve the capacity of impact damping, Tips on the safety of toys so that children can fully enjoy
