Injuries on the Playground: A Family’s First Aid Guide

By Derick Hancock

When you visit your local playground, does your child make a beeline for the slide? Perhaps your little one heads straight for the swings, monkey bars, or teeter-totter. Regardless of what your child enjoys playing on, it's important to be familiar with basic first aid so you're ready to provide help right away if an injury should occur.

Treatment for Bleeding

Scraped knees and arms are a common occurrence when children are running around having a good time. For minor scrapes and cuts, hold a cloth on the wound to stop the bleeding, then wash it with soap and water, carefully patting it dry. Next, apply some antibiotic ointment to the wound and place a bandage over it.

Other injuries are more serious, such as a head wound from a tumble off of a jungle gym. When you encounter a serious injury, the first thing to do is to call 911. The child should lie still on the ground while you use a clean cloth to apply firm pressure to the wound. Check for items lodged in the wound, but leave them there for the doctor to take out. If you don't see any fractured bones, carefully move the child so their wound is positioned above their heart. Drape a blanket over the child to keep them warm, and be on the lookout for signs of shock.

Treatment for Eye Injuries

Call 911 if a child sustains an injury that leaves an object sticking out of their eye. It's important to leave the object in place so a doctor can perform an evaluation. Place a soft covering, such as a length of gauze, over both eyes to reduce eye movement that could lead to further damage. Do not apply any ice or pressure to the affected eye. However, if the child sustains a black eye, you can put ice on their cheek to reduce swelling.

If a child gets chemicals in one or both eyes, the substance needs to be flushed out with tepid or cool water for a span of 15 minutes. If only a single eye has been affected, tilt the child's head so the water used to flush it doesn't reach the unaffected eye. Contact lenses should be removed right away in order to fully flush out the chemicals.

Treatment for Burns

Avoid putting cold water or ice on a bad sunburn. Instead, go to the local pharmacy and select an over-the-counter remedy to relieve the pain. If blisters start to develop on the sunburned skin, it's time to see a doctor.

Recognizing other types of burns can be helpful in knowing exactly what to do. For example, red and swollen skin indicates a first-degree burn. This type of burn doesn't usually need a doctor's attention. A second-degree burn has blisters in addition to being swollen and red.

To relieve the pain of both first- and second-degree burns, put the affected area in a pan of cool water. Another option is to place damp towels over the area. Try to avoid breaking any blisters during this process. Keep in mind that some second-degree burns require a doctor's attention if the pain is persistent. Otherwise, putting first aid ointment on the burn and covering it with a clean bandage should be sufficient.

A third-degree burn is very serious as well as painful. The skin sometimes takes on a blackened, charred appearance. Don't try to spread ointment on this type of burn. Also, if clothing is clinging to the skin, don't remove it. Instead, put a clean dressing over it and seek medical attention.

Treat chemical burns by putting the affected area under cool water for 15 minutes. In addition, take off clothing items and jewelry touched by the chemicals. This is another type of serious burn that needs to be seen by a medical professional.

First Aid for Choking

A person who has something lodged in their throat may be able to cough it up without any assistance. But if you're not sure if someone is choking, ask them if they are OK. A child or adult who can't speak or take in a breath needs immediate help in the form of the Heimlich maneuver. The Heimlich maneuver requires you to stand behind the choking person and make a fist with your thumb facing toward you. Then, place your fist on the person's stomach below the lower section of their breastbone and above their navel. Reach around with your other hand, place it atop your fist, and firmly thrust it inward and upward. Continue this process until the trapped object comes out.

What to Do if a Person Is Unconscious

The first step if someone loses consciousness is to call 911. Next, check for signs of an open airway, breathing, and circulation, or ABC. If the person has ABC, then roll them onto their side to clear any fluids from their mouth and throat. If the unconscious person isn't showing any signs of ABC, perform CPR right away. Do not roll the person onto their side if there is a possible spinal cord injury.

Animal Bite and Bee Sting Treatments

If someone is bitten by an animal, first, use a clean cloth to apply firm pressure to stop the bleeding. Next, hold the bite area under running water to rinse it. Then, clean the wound with soap and water and rinse it for an additional five minutes. Finally, cover it with a clean bandage. Remember that both animal and human bites need medical attention.

Bee stings are a common occurrence on a playground, especially if it is located near a wooded area. If this happens, try to remove the stinger from the skin by scraping it out with the edge of a credit card. Wash the sting area with soap and water, then dry it thoroughly. A cold compress can relieve pain and swelling. Be sure to watch the person for indications of an allergic reaction, such as trouble breathing, itching, or dizziness. If you suspect an allergic reaction, call 911.

First Aid for Ingesting Poison

For poisoning, call Poison Control or seek medical attention. A medical professional can give you specific treatment for the type of poison the person has ingested. Do not try to induce vomiting; depending on the substance in question, this could actually do more harm than good.

Additional First Aid Resources

• First Aid Fundamentals
• How to Provide Various Types of First Aid
• Essentials for a First Aid Kit
• First Aid for Broken Bones
• How to Treat Shock
• Helping an Injured Child
• Debunked Myths About First Aid
• Avoiding Mistakes When Rendering First Aid
• What to Do for Someone With Heat Stroke
• First Aid Reference

Playground Safety Resources

• Keeping Your Kids Safe at the Playground
• Swing and Slide Safety Guidelines
• Is it Safe to Play?
• Simple Tips for Playground Safety
• Safe Playground Equipment
• Keeping a Child Safe During Playtime
• Indoor Playground Safety Reminders
• Playground Surfacing to Prevent Injuries

Learn About the Author

Derick Hancock

Derick has been a mainstay of PlaygroundEquipment.com for nearly a decade. In that time, he’s earned a CPSI certification for his in-depth knowledge of playground safety and installation. With years of playground experience, Derick brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table, which he uses to help better the lives of children on the playground. In his downtime, Derick enjoys rock climbing and playing video games.

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