Home Playground Safety Tips
Each year, more than 200,000 children will visit a hospital emergency
room because of playground injuries. Most accidents occur when a child
falls from the equipment onto dirt or grass — surfaces that do
not adequately protect children.
To help make sure your home playground is a safe place for children,
review the safety checklist.
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Home Playground Safety Checklist
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- Install and maintain a shock-absorbing surface around
the play equipment. Use at least 9 inches of wood
chips, mulch or shredded rubber for play equipment up to 7
feet high. If
sand or pea gravel is used, install at least a 9-inch layer
of the material for play equipment up to 5 feet high.
- Install protective surfacing at least 6 feet in all
directions from play equipment. For swings, be sure surfacing extends in
back and front, twice the height of the suspending bar.
- Never attach or allow children to attach ropes, jump
ropes, clotheslines or pet leashes to play equipment; children can strangle
on these.
- Check for hardware, like open “S” hooks or protruding
bolt ends, which can be hazardous. Sharp points or edges in equipment
also can be dangerous to children.
- Check for spaces that could trap children, such as
openings in guardrails or between ladder rungs; these spaces should measure
less than 3.5 inches. Make sure platforms and ramps have guardrails
to prevent falls.
- Remove tripping hazards, like exposed concrete footings,
tree stumps and rocks.
- Regularly check play equipment and surfaces to make sure
both are in good condition.
- Carefully supervise children on play equipment to make sure they
are safe.
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