Keep Your Toddler Safe in a Swing

Swings and swing sets are a common cause of injury for toddlers and children. Keep your toddler safe while swinging at the playground by using age-appropriate swings, and by making sure your child is sitting and not standing in the swing. At home, make sure to set up the swing set properly and read the safety tips carefully to avoid injuries and accidents. Also, make sure to supervise your toddler at all times and enforce the safety rules for playing on the swing set.

Steps

Swinging at the Playground

1. Use the booster seat swings. These swings are specifically designed for toddlers. If the booster swing has straps, make sure to strap your child in place before you begin swinging them.
   • Strapping your child in place will prevent them from slipping or climbing out of the swing.
2. Do not let your child stand in the swing. Teach your child that sitting in the swing at all times is appropriate swing set behavior. If your child tries to stand in the swing, stop the swing immediately and redirect them to the correct position. Let them know that standing in the swing is not appropriate.
   • You can say for example, “Donnie, I can only swing you if you are sitting in the swing. You cannot stand while I swing you.”
3. Swing one child at a time. Swings are made to carry only one child at a time. If you swing two toddlers in one swing, one of them may fall out and be injured.
   • You can avoid this by letting your children take turns on the swing.
4. Stop the swing completely. It is much more difficult to safely remove a child from a swing in motion. Therefore, once your child is ready to leave the swing, make sure to stop the swing completely before helping them out of it.

Setting Up a Swing Set

1. Buy an age-appropriate swing set. Make sure the swing set you purchase has booster seats with straps for your toddler. The material of the swing itself should be made of soft materials like plastic or rubber. If you are unsure if a swing set is appropriate for your toddler, then make sure to check the age range guidance on the box, or ask a representative at the store.
   • Try to avoid purchasing swing sets that have metal or wood swings.
   • Some swing sets come with attachable booster seats for toddlers.
2. Read the instructions carefully. Do this before you begin setting up the swing set. This way you can ensure that everything is installed properly. If the swing set is installed incorrectly, this increases the risk of your toddler becoming injured.
   • For example, make sure to properly close the “S” hooks to prevent swings from becoming disconnected from the set while you are swinging your toddler.
   • Additionally, make sure to read, follow and enforce the swing set’s safety tips.
3. Place your set on a soft, even surface. Try to avoid placing your set on hard surfaces such as gravel, dirt, grass, concrete, and/or asphalt. Instead, set the swing set on loose-fill materials like mulch, sand, wood fiber or chips, shredded rubber or rubber mats.
   • Additionally, make sure to place the set on even, level ground to ensure that it is stable.
4. Space the swings safely apart. The swings should be placed at least 22 inches (56 cm) apart. This way you can avoid entanglements and collisions while you are swinging your toddler.
   • Additionally, make sure the toddler swings are installed high enough to prevent your toddler from climbing into the swing on their own. CPSC recommends that you place toddler swings at least 24 inches (61 cm) above the ground.
5. Anchor the swing set. Make sure to anchor the swing set to the ground per the instruction manual. This way you can ensure that the swing set is stable and will not upend while a group of children are playing on it.

Establishing Safety Rules

1. Make sure the area is clear. Before you begin swinging your toddler, make sure the area is clear of other children. Additionally, make sure older children know not to start swinging until the front and back area of the swing set is clear of children.
   • While your toddler is young, help them become aware of moving swings and the dangers of standing too close. Let them know that if they stand too close to a moving swing they may get hurt.
2. Teach your toddler to hold onto the swing's straps at all times. When you place your child in the swing, also place their hands around the swing's straps. Tell them to hold onto the straps tightly at all times.
   • If you see your toddler let go of the straps while you are swinging them, then stop the swing immediately and place their hands around the straps again. Let them know that you cannot resume swinging until they are holding onto the straps.
3. Supervise your toddler at all times. While your child is a toddler, you should always be nearby when they are swinging or playing on the swing set. This way you can prevent accidents from happening, as well as socialize them on the appropriate swing set behavior.
   • Try to place the swing set in an area that it is visible from your living room or kitchen window. This way, you can supervise your children from afar once they are old enough to play on the swing set by themselves.

Tips

• Since loose-fitting clothing can get caught in a swing set, try to avoid dressing your child in scarves, clothing with drawstrings, hoods, necklaces, and other similar loose-fitting clothing to reduce injury.

Sources and Citations

See also

• Entertain a Toddler
• Help Your Toddler Make Friends
• Stay Calm During Toddler Temper Tantrums
• Deal with Toddlers Who Touch Themselves
• Entertain a One Year Old
• Babysit a Toddler
• Get a Child to Stop Sucking Fingers
• Cut a Toddler's Hair
• Help a Toddler Adjust to Preschool
• Travel by Plane with an Infant or Toddler

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