Spring Into Fun
April 1, 2004

Here in the Northeast, they're promising us that the weather is finally going to
get warm. You can tell how ready we are for it because on any day that isn't raining or freezing, kids are taking to the outdoors, eager to get back on skateboards, throw balls and Frisbees around and be active in the outdoors.

The early weeks of spring are also when the most accidents and injuries occur, whether kids are playing sports or playing with toys. So, this is a time to be
extra careful as you get ready for the more active outdoor play that comes
with warmer weather. Taking a few moments now to be prepared can save
injuries and trips to the doctor later.


Remind Kids of the Rules. Kids forget things over the winter months. If you
have family rules, it's good to restate them. For example, if there are places
kids shouldn't go, remind them. For us, we always "forgot" (admittedly accidentally on purpose) that we were not allowed to climb the Battaglia's
horse chestnut tree and jump onto Miss Harrigan's garage roof. There may be limits to how far you want your kids to ride their bikes and so forth. Make sure you restate these rules.

Check All Equipment. Things may have been sitting in the garage or the basement all winter. Check things like rollerblades or bicycles to make sure
that everything is in working condition. Replace anything you need to, such as skate wheels. Inflate all balls and tires to the appropriate pressure and make sure all outdoor toys are fit to be played with. The time to find out that you
need to patch the pool liner is before you start to set it up. Checking on equipment also extends to checking your yard for anything that kids may play around that may need repair. For example, if you have a pool, make sure the fence around it is in good repair. The freezing and softening of the earth can undermine the stability of fences.

Part of checking equipment is making sure that things still fit. Last year's rollerblades, for example, may be too small. Likewise, check all pads and protective gear that kids wear playing sports, blading or biking to make sure
that size and fit are still good for providing effective protection. And speaking
of reminding kids of things, this is a good time to remind them that wearing
this protection is not optional.

Supervise Play. Supervising play, or making sure that play is supervised by a competent adult is perhaps the most important thing you can do to ensure
that injuries are avoided as much as possible. This isn't just about assuring
that kids are in a safe and controlled environment. It's also about making
sure that kids know how to use any and all equipment they may be using.
From knowing the proper way to hold a bat to being able to tell when a bicycle helmet is put on correctly, to making sure that toys are used in the ways they
are intended, supervision is critical. Interviews with doctors and emergency
room personnel indicate that in many cases toy-related injuries stem from children not using the toys in the intended manner.


Getting ready for the new season is also about planning for all the new
activities that come along with outdoor play. The buds may only be coming
out on the trees, but now's also the time to:

Register for Teams. Many communities start having sign-up for organized activities early in the spring season. Whether it's Little League, T-ball or
activities at your local "Y," signing up can ensure your child gets on a roster before it fills up -- and you can often find out the schedule for the whole
summer early on. This can be useful for families as they begin to plan their summers.

Find Out About Required Summer Reading. Summer reading was a fact of
life when many of us were kids, and though it went away for a while, it's been making a steady comeback. Different demands are made of kids in different grades so knowing what's coming can help you plan. Many teachers say they
are putting together their summer reading lists in the next few weeks. (This is also a great time for parents to interact with teachers. We've heard from many parents that while their kids like to read, the choices on many summer reading lists seem outdated and uninteresting to kids. Teachers we've spoken to say
they want to hear from parents about suggestions for engaging summer
reading. So don't be shy.)

Plan Family Time. Now's the time to block out that week or weeks that are
just for the family vacation. Adults often have to put in for the time at work,
and just like the rest of the year, there are inevitably several schedules to consider when making plans.

Most of all, enjoy the new season, and set it up so it works for you. After all, adults are very likely just as eager to start enjoying the warmer weather as
kids are.