Tips to keep your children safe in Qatar's parks

Last week, we took the children to the new Sheraton Park. My son ended up with a deep cut above his right eye and four stitches when he slipped and fell while splashing around in the spouting fountains, a unique feature of the park where kids enjoy getting wet.

This led me to think whether the parks here in Doha are taking enough safety measures to protect our children from getting hurt and what we can do to avoid such accidents in the park:

- Perhaps, the most important safety measure in parks is to supervise your children at all times.

- Teach your children how to stay safe in the playground.

- Ensure your children are wearing shoes at all times, so they don't cut themselves on left over garbage or sharp objects, or slip, especially in areas where there is water.

- Tell your children to walk, rather than run, in and around water, so they don't slip or fall.

- Throw away all trash so kids do not get hurt.

- Tell your children to stay away from moving swings and other moving playground equipment.

- Remove any scarves, ribbons, drawstrings or other clothing items that may get caught in playground equipment

- Check playground equipment to ensure there are no sharp edges or rusty surfaces.

- Take your children to parks where there are soft landing surfaces so if they do fall, the impact is lessened.

- Teach your children to wait their turn.

- Know some basic first aid, so you can help your children if they do get hurt.

- Since Doha is a hot country, it is important to teach children to be careful when touching playground equipment which is mostly made of metal.

- Teach your children never to talk to strangers in the park.

- Children must wash their hands after playing in the park to protect them from germs.

Parks are great way to get some fresh air and for children to get out of the house, stretch their legs and play with other children. If we all follow these basic safety measures, we can avoid accidents and injuries in the park, and ensure we all have a good time.

Cover image: Stewart Lacey (QL Flickr)