Keeping kids clean is a challenge, but what shouldn’t be challenging is finding them a clean, safe place to play.
Unfortunately, it’s not always easy.
A messy facility can also be a sign of bigger concerns. If equipment isn’t cleaned and sanitized regularly, it shows a lack of attention. A clean play park is likely a safe play park.
There are many red flags to look for when it comes to adventure parks, according to Morey Chaplick, owner of Sky Zone Trampoline Parkin Surrey. He considers cleanliness one of the most important aspects of his facility.
Here are 5 things Chaplick suggests every parent watch out for:
1. Scent of a problem. What is the first thing you smell when you open the door at your local play park? If it’s the strong odour of feet, it’s probably best to walk right out again. A good facility will be air-conditioned and it will smell fresh.
2. What lies beneath.Treading on muck and grime is never pleasant, but keep in mind – kids are even closer to the floor, and in most activity centres, they’re running around in socks. If the floor isn’t kept clean, kids will be exposed to all kinds of dirt. And if there’s a spill that isn’t cleaned, it’s a major safety hazard, too.
3. Where we eat. Most play parks have an area for families to eat, and some serve food as well. Like any place your family chooses to dine, this one should be kept tidy. Dirty, sticky tables and counters aren’t just unattractive – unclean surfaces can lead to food poisoning and cross contamination.
4. Unsanitary equipment. Of course, the surfaces kids are most likely to touch are in the play area itself. So are hundreds of other kids. Equipment needs to be cleaned and maintained frequently. At Sky Zone, the staff clean the trampolines with special sanitizers every day. If the condition of the equipment at your play park worries you, speak to a manager.
5. All hands on deck. Staff should be trained and ready to clean whenever necessary, but it’s an added incentive if the boss does it, too. If the owner or managers is wiping counters, it means more people keeping things clean but it also boosts morale. And happy workers are more likely to stay on top of things.
For more information about the cleanliness standards at Sky Zone Trampoline Park in Surrey, call 778-395-5867 or visit their website. Sky Zone in Surrey is at 11125-124th Street, just over the Pattullo Bridge. The indoor trampoline park can also be found on Facebook.
