With kids out of school for the summer, public playgrounds are sure to be full of energetic children all day long. Unfortunately, that makes accidents and injuries more likely to occur. Following is a safety checklist to help make sure your kids stay safe on the playground.
Check Surfaces – Safe surfaces around the playground equipment are very important. These surfaces include rubber mats, sand, pea gravel, wood chips or mulch. Hard, bare ground or concrete are not safe.
Check Spacing – Play structures of any type should be at least nine feet apart to prevent children from colliding. Structures should also be at least 30 inches tall to prevent tripping.
Check Equipment – Look for any sharp edges or points on equipment. Also check for dangerous hardware such as protruding bolts or screws.
Check for Tripping Hazards – Make sure there are no tripping hazards such as tree stumps, roots, rocks or concrete footings.
Check for Guardrails – All elevated areas such as ramps and platforms should have guardrails to prevent falls.
Check for Traps – Tight spaces can trap children. Openings between ladder rungs, guardrails, etc. should measure less than 3.5 inches.
Check on Your Kids – You or someone you trust should always be there to supervise your children while they are at the playground.
