As the weather warms and families head outside for fun, playgrounds are often the first place people with young children head to. Playgrounds are a great place for kids to have fun, get exercise, and practice their social skills. They’re also ideal for unstructured, imaginative play, which experts believe is essential to healthy childhood development. However, keeping kids safe is an important aspect of making play fun, and this is especially true on playgrounds.

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Major playground injuries are rare, but they do happen. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 200,000 children in the United States visit emergency rooms each year due to playground-related accidents. Many incidents can be avoided with adequate adult supervision and basic safety procedures.

Adult Supervision

When visiting a playground, parents and caregivers should evaluate the equipment. Are any structures damaged or in need of repair? Are play spaces designed so that parents can easily observe children playing? Is the playground fenced or near a major road? Is the playground equipment age-appropriate?

It is important for adults to be able to observe both younger and older children when using playground equipment. Younger children are more likely to misjudge distances or be unsteady on their feet, while older children may mishandle or bump into equipment. Finally, if an accident occurs, a parent or caregiver should be able to administer proper first aid.

Teaching Children Playground Safety Practices

Before taking your child to the playground, parents and caregivers can begin teaching them about basic playground safety. Here are some general guidelines you should teach and follow.

• Never push, shove, or struggle when using any playground equipment.
• Avoid crowded playground equipment.
• Never use wet playground equipment; surfaces are usually very slippery after rain.
• Use playground equipment as designed (e.g., sliding feet first, sitting on swings, etc.).
• Check the temperature of playground equipment during the summer. Some equipment (such as metal slides) can cause contact burns in high temperatures.
• Avoid wearing drawstrings, long jewelry, or handbags on playground equipment, as they can cause damage or strangulation if caught.
• All bags, bikes, scooters, and other personal belongings should be kept away from playground equipment as they can pose a tripping hazard for running children.
• Always be careful before jumping or sliding to avoid colliding with another child.
• Apply sunscreen before playing outside.

Playground Equipment Guidelines.

The different types of playground equipment used raise a number of safety issues for children. Before playing, parents should always make sure that any equipment is appropriate for their child’s age and abilities.

• Swing safety: Teach children to sit on swings rather than stand and discourage them from swinging or jumping on their stomachs. Swings are only safe for one child to use at a time and children should hold on securely with both hands while swinging. Teach children not to run in front of or behind moving swings and discourage them from swinging from side to side, which could cause them to bump into another child. Finally, swings should be made of soft materials such as rubber or plastic, not wood or metal.
• Slide safety: Before sliding, instruct children to make sure the bottom of the slide is free of debris and other children. At the top of the slide, children should sit and slide feet first — not head first, backwards or on their stomachs — away from the bottom of the slide once their feet touch the ground. Teach children not to climb or hang on to slides. Children should use one slide at a time, and parents should not let young children sit on older children’s laps on any slide.
• Climbing safety: Climbing equipment varies considerably from playground to playground, and climbing equipment, more than any other playground structure, requires adult supervision. Inspect the equipment for sharp points or edges. Make sure steps or rungs are appropriately spaced and appropriate for your child’s ability. If your child is unable to reach the top, make sure they know a safe way to descend, and educate them before they jump to make sure they don’t hit another piece of equipment on their way down. Climbing equipment is often more difficult for children to use than other types of playground equipment, and it is generally not recommended for young children. Finally, children should always wear practical footwear on playgrounds, but good athletic shoes are especially important for climbing.

Parents should also consider the playground surface material. Playgrounds with wood chips, mulch, sand, or pea gravel 12 or more inches deep, and thick mats made of rubber or rubber-like materials are safer than playgrounds built on concrete, asphalt, or even grass.

Accidents and injuries are inevitable in childhood, but keeping playground safety in mind can help reduce their frequency. If you notice broken equipment or other safety hazards on a playground, be sure to let the owners or municipalities know.

For children enrolled in the Sports Yodha Provider program, parents can rest assured that the quality and safety of all playground equipment is monitored on a regular basis. In addition, Sports Yodha Providers also promote outdoor play as an important part of the development process.