Top 10 Playground Safety Questions Everyone Should Ask
1. Is the playground surface safe?
Falling is the number one cause of injuries on the playground. A child who falls on a hard surface such as concrete or even grass can be seriously injured or even killed. Never allow a child to play on play equipment that is placed over a hard surface such as asphalt, concrete, packed earth or grass. Surfacing should be either certified wood fiber, shredded rubber or poured-in-place surfacing. Loose material such as wood fiber or shredded rubber must be at least nine to twelve inches deep under the equipment.
2. Is there enough room underneath and around playground equipment?
The general rule is to allow a minimum use zone of six feet around playground equipment. Refer to the ASTM F1487-07 Standard or the Consumer Product Safety Commission guidelines for specific use zone requirements.
3. Is there enough space between the playground equipment?
4. Is the playground appropriate for the child?
There should be play activities designed for children with varying ages and abilities.
5. Does the equipment put the child at risk from protruding objects?
Jutting pieces of hardware can cause serious injuries.
6. Does the playground equipment present a strangulation risk?
There should be nothing that would snag pieces of clothing, jewelry or strings.
7. Are there any moving parts that could pinch a child?
8. Is there anything that might cause a child to trip?
Surfaces should be smooth and level, with no tree stumps or roots.
9. Is the playground well maintained?
All hardware as well as the playground surface should be in good shape. Rust and other signs of deterioration may signal poor maintenance.
10. Has the playground been renovated since 1993?
Outdated playground equipment can be extremely dangerous. For example, during the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s, heavy metal swings were commonplace on playgrounds. This equipment can act as a lethal battering ram, potentially injuring children who walk in front of them.
