Keeping your kids safe while they’re having fun

Did you know that most accidents involving children happen close to home? Kids love playgrounds, bounce houses and bicycles, but they all can lead to serious injury. Here are some ways you can keep your kids safe:

Playgrounds. Each year, more than 200,000 children are injured on playgrounds nationwide, according to the National Program for Playground Safety. Review this checklist so you know what to look for before letting your children use playground equipment.

Bounce houses. Every 45 minutes, a child is rushed to an emergency room due to injuries from an inflatable house, or ‘bounce house.’ Think twice about letting a small child inside a crowded inflatable play area. Check out this video to see why the medical community is so concerned.

Bicycles, skateboards and scooters. If you’re riding anything at all with wheels, you and your children should always wear a helmet. Period. Accidents on bicycles, skateboards, scooters and while skating can cause a wide array of injuries, including catastrophic brain injuries.