As soon as you have children, their safety and wellbeing become the focus of your life. Almost all parents spend most of their time worrying about their offspring, from birth and for the rest of their lives. It’s natural. But when it comes to toddlers and the under tens, we might need to be a little more vigilant. They don’t necessarily know how to identify hazards and dangers themselves, so it’s our job to keep an eye out for them on their behalf. It’s easy to childproof your home, but sadly you can’t guarantee the same vigilance from people outside of your home. So when you take your child out in public or into a new environment, here are a few things to watch out for.
Toys
Spaces you might visit with your child often have toys to keep them occupied. Think of the abacus in the waiting room of your local doctor’s surgery or the basket of trucks and dolls in the dentist’s reception. These are a generous gesture from the owners of these environments, but sadly they pose a health risk and might be something you should keep your children away from. These toys will have been used by numerous children before your child gets their hands on them. We all know how little ones like to put toys in their mouths and, to put it frankly, you don’t know where these toys have been before. If you do let your child play with them, be sure to keep disinfectant wipes in your bag to thoroughly clean any toy before it gets into your child’s hands.
Play Spaces
When you visit the local park or take your kids for dinner in the beer garden of a local pub type restaurant, there’s a good chance there will be a play space for them to explore. These can be a great activity for your children to try out. Not only will they get to exercise as they run about, climb and swing, but they will also expand their social skills by engaging with other children. But remember, this is a space that could also harbor all sorts of potential risks. Some spaces may have high-quality climbing frames, slides and other equipment, such as those provided by PD Play. But others will not. It’s better to be safe than sorry: give any play space a quick once over before letting your kids loose on it. Check the stability of any apparatus and for any faults or problems. Never leave your child unsupervised.
Sun
This may sound like an odd one, but so many people are oblivious to the damaging effects of the sun. Even on overcast days, you and your children will be exposed to UV rays as soon as you step foot outside of the house. So remember to make sunscreen a part of your everyday routine. On particularly sunny days, make sure your little ones have sunhats and sunglasses on too. Always carry bottles of water with you to keep them hydrated.