Ahh at last, it’s Friday afternoon. The week has gone by in a blur of hectic school mornings, rushing to practices, and trying to keep everyone afloat. School is out and you finally settle onto a bench with your book, beside the playground, ready to exhale, while your kids explore the playground. Before you relax, there’s something worth keeping in mind: playground safety. Playgrounds may feel like contained spaces for harmless chaos, but every year more than 200,000 children

Although fall is coming, we are still having hot days in the Chicago area. Keep in mind, that heatstroke deaths can happen on 75 degree, sunny days, too. Young children left alone in a hot vehicle can die of heat stroke very quickly, and on average 38 children lose their lives each year – with more than half under the age of two. In just 10 minutes, a car can heat up 20 degrees. Even on mild or cloudy days, temperatures inside vehicles can reach life-threatening levels and l

Here are some facts about the drowning epidemic in the United States. Drowning is the leading cause of injury related death for children ages 1-4. It's possible to drown in as little as an inch of water. 11 Americans die every day from a drowning. 22 are affected by a non-fatal drowning each day. Drowning injuries can cause brain damage or other serious outcomes. Males are at a higher risk than females. African-American children ages 5-19 drown in swimming pools at 5.5 times

Now that the sun has come out, many families are heading to their local park or playground for some fresh air and fun. While playgrounds are great places for children to explore and grow, they can also pose serious safety hazards. Below are some tips on how to protect your children and keep them safe while at the playground. Check the surface of the playground Playground surfaces should not be hard or rocky and should be covered with sand, rubber, or soft wood chips to protec