Use this checklist to evaluate the safety of your child's favorite playground. If it doesn't measure up, contact the people who can help your child play in a safer enviroment - the Parks and Recreation Department, the school principal or the community organizations that maintain your town's parks. If you have the time, offer to volunteer to help with the clean up.
Checklist for Playground Safety in Schools and Public Parks
Surface: Wood chips, mulch, sand, shredded tires (not radials, which contain metal) or pea gravel should run at least 12 inches deep. The worst surfaces: concrete, asphalt and hard-packed dirt.
Guardrails: Platforms, ramps and connecting bridges should have guardrails.
Fall zone: Shock-absorbing material (often the surfaces described above, but sometimes deeper) should extend at least six feet in all directions from stationary equipment, in front of and behind swings, and a distance equal to twice the maximum height at which a child can climb or dangle.
Spacing: Equipment should be at least 12 feet apart.
Catch points: There should be no exposed bolts, open “S” hooks or protrusions.
Openings: Spaces in guardrails, between platforms and between ladder rungs should be less than 3.5 inches or more than 9 inches.
Parts: Watch for sharp points or edges.
Tripping hazards: There should be no elevated tree roots, stumps, rocks, or exposed concrete.
Maintenance: Learn who is responsible for maintaining the playground. Check out equipment after school and on weekends to make sure all bolts, metal and wood are in good condition and nail heads are flat against the beams.
Supervision: The view of kids at play shouldn’t be obstructed from teachers or playground aids.
Age appropriateness: Limit kids to areas specifically designed for their age level.
Peeling paint: Report any peeling paint to the principal of the school or the local Department of Parks and Recreation. It may contain lead.
For more information on playground safety:
Consumer Product Safety Commission Public Playground Safety Checklist
The National Program for Playground Safety Web Site:
Playground Safety Guidelines (Type playgound in the search box.)
Source: Center for Injury Research and Policy at Children’s Hospital of Columbus, Ohio. As reported in Living Healthy, Blue Cross/Blue Shield Michigan, Spring 2001.