Playground Safety Tips

Below is a checklist of items for all playgrounds.

• How is the overall condition of the playground equipment?
• Surfaces need to be smooth, are they?
• Trip hazards should be eliminated, how are the ground conditions (watch for rocks, tree stumps and tree roots)
• Tipping of equipment should be prevented
• Fall zones should be adequate
• Gaps or spaces absent or present (gaps should be less than 3 ½ inches or more than 9 inches)
• Electrical wires secured
• Dangerous tree limbs removed
• Surface areas safe and uniform
• Hazards Removed

Things for parents to watch for

• Check for dangerous objects such as broken glass, discarded syringes, wasps and hornets nests, and fire ant beds.
• Verify that the playground equipment is sturdy (well-anchored and tightly bolted) and in good repair (not broken or rusty).
• Make sure that the playground is appropriate to your child’s age and ability.
• Make sure drinking water is readily available and is suitable for drinking.
• Make sure there is a thick, soft and uniform ground cover (watch for tree stumps and standing water).
• Make sure that children wash their hands after playing on the playground – Wood play sets made until 2003 contain arsenic and other hazardous chemicals.

Last but certainly not least, kids should always have adult supervision, especially younger children.

Play is a very important part of your child's development. If you keep the playground safe, then you’ve done your part in making sure that your child’s and other children's play is as safe as possible.