Play It Safe

On hot days, it is important to “Play it Safe” when visiting our playgrounds and athletic fields. When you're visiting our thousands of ballfields and playgrounds across the city, make sure to observe these common sense safety tips.

Adult Supervision

An adult presence is needed to facilitate play and watch for potential hazards to ensure children’s safety. Adult supervision can greatly reduce the risk of entanglement and entrapment hazards. String on clothing or ropes used for play can cause accidental strangulation if caught on equipment. Pre-schoolers, children, and teens should each use age-appropriate equipment.

Stay Safe in the Sun

A day in the sun can take its toll. Make sure you carefully monitor your activity and that of your children during the hottest part of the day, generally 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Whenever you're touching a surface, including but not limited to play surfaces, play equipment, synthetic turf, and asphalt, make sure you take the appropriate steps to stay safe.

Avoid Skin Contact with Hot Surfaces

Metal, rubber, and synthetic turf play surfaces can become very hot on sunny days and can cause burns on bare skin. If the equipment feels too hot to the touch, it's probably not safe or fun to play on.

Always Wear Shoes

Children should always wear the appropriate shoes to prevent burns from contact with hot surfaces and other injuries. Shoes should be worn at all times, even in spray shower areas.

Use Sunscreen

Sunburn is painful and unhealthy. Use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher and reapply frequently.

Drink Water

Your body needs plenty of water to prevent dehydration on hot summer days. Children can become dehydrated more quickly than adults.

Protect your Eyes

Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun’s ultraviolet rays.

Wear Appropriate Clothing

Wear light loose flitting clothing to keep cool and a hat to keep you shaded.

Spend time in the Shade

Keep infants and small children in the shade when possible.

Beat the Heat

Need more advice? Check out our guide to Beat the Heat, and find out where you can go to stay cool and enjoy our parks on hot days.