Playground Check List

Play is an essential component of healthy development in children, and playgrounds provide an opportunity for children to develop motor, cognitive, perceptual and social skills. All too often, however, playgrounds are the site of unintentional injuries. The leading cause of playground equipment-related fatalities is strangulation and the majority of these deaths occur on home playgrounds. This is contrasted with nonfatal playground equipment-related injuries which are most often due to falls. The majority of these nonfatal injuries take place on public playgrounds, including school, day care and park playgrounds.

It is the responsibility of adults to create play environments that are challenging for children, but that are also reasonably safe. Utilizing age-appropriate equipment, following a regular maintenance schedule, limiting equipment height and maintaining adequate surfacing, combined with adult supervision, can greatly reduce the incidence and severity of such injuries.

PREVENTION TIPS

• Avoid asphalt, concrete, grass and soil surfaces under playground equipment. Acceptable loose-fill materials include hardwood fiber mulch or chips, pea gravel, fine sand and shredded rubber.

• Surfacing should be maintained at a depth of 12 inches and should extend a minimum of 6 feet in all directions around stationary equipment.

• Rubber mats, synthetic turf and other artificial materials also are safe surfaces and require less maintenance.

• Ensure that a comprehensive inspection of all playgrounds is conducted by qualified personnel.

• Abide by daily, monthly and annual playground maintenance schedules.

  Report any playground safety hazards to the organization responsible for the site (e.g., school, park authority, city council).

• Always supervise children when using playground equipment. Maintain visual and auditory contact. Prevent unsafe behaviors like pushing, shoving, crowding and inappropriate use of equipment.

• Ensure that children use age-appropriate playground equipment. Remove hood and neck drawstrings from all children's outerwear. Never allow children to wear necklaces, purses, scarves or clothing with drawstrings while on playgrounds.