Each year, 200,000 kids are treated in emergency departments for playground-related injuries. Many of these injuries could be avoided if kids were allowed to play on safer equipment and in more appropriate settings. A safe playground has impact-absorbing surfaces like wood chips, sand, mulch or shredded rubber. Asphalt, blacktop, concrete, grass or dirt are unsafe and result in serious injuries.
Surfaces
The surfacing material under playground equipment is just as important as the equipment itself when it comes to safe play. Falls to surfaces account for more than 70 percent of playground injuries and need to be cushioned by impact-absorbing surface materials. Different ground covering options have different upfront costs and maintenance requirements but a good rule of thumb is to choose unitary surfaces such as poured-in-place rubber, bond-in-place rubber or interlocking resilient tiles. These offer high durability, low maintenance and accessibility for visitors with mobility devices and wheelchairs.
Poured-in-place rubber has a thick, seamless surface and provides excellent impact attenuation. It’s available in a variety of colors and can even include graphics that add visual interest to the playground. It’s also one of the most cost-effective surfacing options.
Spacing
Playgrounds provide a great opportunity for children to develop important motor and social skills. However, unsafe equipment and surfacing pose serious safety risks. The good news is that some simple steps can greatly reduce these dangers and keep 안전놀이터 for all kids. Make sure the surfacing under and around playground equipment is deep enough to prevent injuries when kids fall off. It is recommended that a depth of at least 12 inches of protective surfacing materials such as wood mulch or certified poured-in-place be used under all equipment.
Inspect the area surrounding each piece of playground equipment for obstacles like rocks, tree roots and depressions that may present tripping hazards. Also inspect the equipment for protrusions or openings that could trap a child’s head, such as those on animal-type swings and multiple occupancy glider wings. Finally, ensure that the equipment is sized appropriately for each age group. Injuries from using equipment that is too large can occur more quickly and be more severe than injuries from smaller equipment.
Supervision
It’s not a surprise that kids like to test their limits, but this healthy risk-taking can also lead to injuries. Fortunately, many playground-related accidents are preventable with the right active supervision plan. Keep an eye on children at all times. It’s best to have more than one adult supervising kids on the playground at a time. This way, if you must divert your attention to another situation, the other adult can continue supervising the kids.
Ensure that all equipment is age-appropriate for the kids using it. Also, avoid having kids wear clothes with drawstrings or halter-tops that could get caught in machinery. Teach kids safe play tactics (like not pushing or roughhousing other children, taking turns, and sitting properly on swings or seesaws). These skills can be taught in classroom lessons and reinforced on the playground. In addition, monitor the playground regularly and make note of any areas that require maintenance or repairs.
Equipment
Having proper equipment and a well-designed play area goes a long way to keeping kids safe on playgrounds. However, even the best-designed playgrounds can present hazards if equipment is incorrectly installed, broken or physically worn by vandals or the effects of time. Regular inspections and a preventative maintenance schedule can help identify problems before they become dangerous. Falling to the ground causes the majority of playground injuries. Make sure there’s a ‘impact attenuating surface’ beneath and around all equipment to soften the impact of a fall. Hard surfaces like asphalt, blacktop, concrete and grass are unsafe, while acceptable surface materials include wood chips, mulch, pea gravel, sand or safety-tested rubber mats.
More Words
Check for protrusion hazards — objects that could impale or cut children who fall against them, and entanglement hazards, such as openings that might catch clothing or ropes. Ensure that all fasteners (such as nuts, bolts and screws) are tight and replace any that are loose or missing.
