Playground safety

Playgrounds can help children be active and healthy. They’re a place where children can run, jump, climb, slide and play with peers.
Adults and caregivers need to ensure that children stay safe in the playground. Most playground injuries are caused when children fall from the equipment, but they can also happen if a child gets caught in or cut by equipment that isn’t well cared.

When choosing a playground:

• Make sure the structures are right for your child’s age and stage of development.
• Make sure your child can reach and climb equipment on his own.
• Look for proper surfaces:
  • Good playground surfaces use sand, wood chips and synthetic (man-made) materials—such as shredded rubber—that are soft. These materials will help absorb a child’s fall.
  • The fill should be deep and loose. For preschool equipment, the fill should be at least 15 cm (6 inches) deep. The fill should be at least 30 cm (12 inches) deep for full sized equipment.
  • Grass, dirt, asphalt or concrete are not safe surfaces for playground equipment.
• Check that the equipment has strong handrails and barriers to help prevent falls.
• Equipment should be firmly anchored in the ground.
• Make sure there is no garbage, glass or animal feces on or around the equipment.
• Swing seats should be made of a soft material like plastic – not wood or metal.

Before your child uses a playground:

• Check your child’s clothing. Make sure there are no drawstrings or other cords, which can get trapped in equipment.
• Use a neck warmer instead of a scarf and mitten clips instead of a cord during the colder months.
• Take off bicycle helmets. Your child’s head could get caught in a space between narrow openings and become stuck when the helmet is too big to pull back through.
• Put away skipping ropes while using playground equipment.

Supervise your child

• Stay close to your child. An adult should be present to supervise children younger than 5 years old at all times.
• Make sure that your child uses the equipment safely and correctly.
• Teach your child to watch for other children and to take turns on playground equipment.

Get involved in playground safety

• Have a certified expert inspect the playground to look for dangers and prioritize any changes that should be made.
• Make sure the changes are made so that the playground is safe.
• Keep the playground equipment, surface and grounds clean.
• Report injuries to the playground operator, such as the municipality, school, or child care facility.

Some communities have non-traditional outdoor play spaces instead of playground equipment. Some examples include community flower or vegetable gardens, and sand or water play areas. These play areas are less expensive to develop, and can be designed to challenge children’s development without the risk of falls or getting trapped.