Play it safe: encouraging safety on the playground

American Fitness, July-August, 1996 by Ken Kutska

Playgrounds offer kids the chance to enjoy the fresh air and stretch their muscles. But parents, teachers and administrators need to be aware of potential hazards. The best way to keep children safe on playgrounds is to be informed.

It's important for adults to check playgrounds for potential hazards, and to check their children as well. How a child is dressed plays an important role in his or her safety. For example, hooded coats and sweatshirts with drawstrings should not be worn because they may get caught on equipment, causing serious--if not fatal--injuries.

The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and its National Playground Safety Institute (NPSI) offer the following playground safety tips.

* Inspect the playground before play.

* Supervise children while they play.

* Be sure children use playground equipment appropriate for their age.

* Be sure children use playground equipment for its intended purpose only.

* Check that all elevated surfaces have chest-high guard rails.

* Watch for potential trip hazards such as rocks, tree stumps and concrete footings.

* Be sure all openings are less than three-and-one-half inches wide or greater than nine inches wide to prevent head entrapment.

* Check that each piece of equipment is surrounded by a minimum six-foot fall zone covered with an appropriate amount of resilient surfacing such as sand, pea gravel, hardwood fiber or mulch.

* Make sure playgrounds are well maintained. Report any problems.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates more than 150,000 children are injured on playgrounds each year in the United States. NRPA recommends parents and care-givers contact the playground owner or operator if they suspect potential danger. Taking the time to check for hazards on playgrounds is critical to a child's safety.

Playgrounds provide an important social and physical environment for development. They offer kids the chance to exercise, be outside in the fresh air and socialize with other children. It is the responsibility of parents and caregivers to keep playgrounds safe so children have the opportunity to take advantage of all the benefits playgrounds have to offer.

Public playgrounds are not the only play areas that present hazards. Home playgrounds can also be potentially dangerous. Parents are urged to follow these home playground safety tips.

* Your back yard should be large enough for playground equipment. The site must also provide good visibility and security.

* Watch out for obstacles, such as the garage, tree branches, utility poles and wires, located near the playground site before setting up equipment.

* Be sure your child's weight and age fall within the manufacturer's recommended limits for the equipment.

* Make sure the playground equipment is clearly visible for proper supervision.

* Read and follow the manufacturer directions when setting up equipment.

* Check that the installation is level, well drained and anchored to meet manufacturer specifications.

* Make sure each piece of equipment has an adequate fall zone covered with an appropriate amount of resilient surfacing such as sand, pea gravel, hardwood fiber or mulch.

* Check that your child is dressed appropriately for the playground. Clothing with hoods or drawstrings can cause strangulation.