A trip to the playground is often just what the doctor ordered. It gets you and your kids out of the house and into the fresh air and sunshine and is usually just plain fun! Here are a few safety tips to make sure your next day at the playground doesn't end in a trip to the emergency room.

1. Choose a playground that has modern equipment and that you know is regularly maintained. You can obtain this information by contacting your local department of parks and recreation. This contact information is usually available online or in your local phone book. Modern equipment is generally up to the most recent safety codes for playgrounds and if there is funding available for new equipment, there is usually funding that is also used for maintenance.

2. Make sure there is appropriate ground cover beneath anything your child may climb on or swing from. This includes swings, slides, monkey bars, etc. The ground should be covered with sand, rubber mulch or a special "padded" ground cover made especially for playgrounds. This will mitigate the injury risk if your child should fall from any height.

3. Respect any posted age limits on equipment. There are usually recommended ages for the individual playground piece posted. Don't allow your younger child to use equipment that is made for older kids and for the safety of little ones, don't allow your older child onto the baby pieces. These age limits are posted for the safety of all children using the playground.

4. Before you allow your child to run freely around the playground, do a quick walk around the apparatus with a mini safety inspection. Check for any obvious defects on the equipment and check the ground for signs of anything that would be dangerous to children such as broken glass or even chewing gum. Put these items into a trash receptacle before your child begins to play.

5. Keep a close eye on your child. There is no substitute for proper parental supervision at the playground. Make sure you have visual contact with your kids at all times and that they know it is not okay to leave the playground area. In a very busy setting, it may be necessary to ask your child to stay in your general area, or you may prefer to stand near the equipment where your child is playing.

When visiting the playground, a little common sense goes a long way. Once you have checked the safety of your chosen park, you still need to supervise your child but try to focus on the fun, not the fear of injury. Remember that providing your kids with the opportunity to exercise in a way that is fun is a gift that will last a lifetime.

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