A lot goes into hosting a children’s birthday party. You have to think about the food, the activities, the guest list, and the location. On top of all that, you have to consider the children’s safety during the party. If you’re planning a party for kids, here are a few tips on how to ensure it’s safe and fun.
Pool Safety
What child doesn’t love a pool party? If you have one in your backyard, this is an easy and fun option for a birthday or holiday party. However, pool safety is extremely important—350 children under the age of five dies by drowning in pools each year. Most of the children drown in backyard pools. Before the party, make sure a pool fence is installed so that when the children are not swimming, they won’t be near the pool. This will give you peace of mind when the swimming part of the party is over. You can also have a safety net or safety cover installed so that they will still be protected even if they somehow get beyond the fence.
In addition to fences and covers, make sure every child knows the rules of the pool party: No running, no pushing, and no diving. You should also have someone who knows CPR be the designated lifeguard for the party. Throwing a pool party can be very fun for the kids, but you have to prioritize safety and make sure everyone knows the rules.
Food Safety
More and more kids are visiting their local allergy clinic only to be diagnosed with a plethora of allergies. In fact, 5.6 million children in America suffer from food allergies, which means they could be allergic to milk, eggs, peanuts, or other foods. When you invite children to your kid’s party, it’s a good idea to include a note on the invitation asking the parents to call you if their child suffers from a food allergy. You can also reach out to each parent individually to confirm that the child does or does not have any allergies (it’s also a good idea to check for seasonal or medicinal allergies, as well as allergies to dyes). You might also want to ask if the parents have any allergies if you’re feeding the whole family.
If you’ve confirmed the guests’ allergies and would like to avoid a potential run-in with an allergic reaction, you can serve food that’s free of nuts, gluten, or soy. Check the allergy information on the package of any food you’re serving and provide the guests with a copy of the ingredients list. Also, while many kids are aware of their allergies, don’t expect each one to know what he or she is or isn’t allergic to. Rely on the parents for accurate information and try to keep your party free of common allergens.
Location Safety
When you’re deciding where to have your child’s party, make sure you factor safety into choosing the location. If you’d like to host the event at a local park, visit the site that’s for rent. Is it near a river where the children could fall in? Is it near a busy road or a heavily-populated area? Bowling alleys or skate parks are common locations for birthday parties. Check with the businesses and see if they provide private areas when you’re hosting a party. Exposing your child and his or her guests to other people could be dangerous, especially if you know there won’t be a lot of adults at the party to help you keep an eye out. Consider each potential location carefully and choose one that will make you and the other parents feel most secure.
Always remember safety when you’re hosting a party for children and consider the location and food. Factor any potential safety concerns into your planning and your child’s party will go smoothly.
