Action 4: Make Playgrounds Safe

A high-quality playground allows for development and learning through safe and active play. Children can explore the outdoors and improve their physical, social and emotional, and cognitive development.

Playground injuries are common, but programs can prevent them by taking steps to ensure a safe playground.

Make Playgrounds Safe

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Action 4. Make Playgrounds Safe

Narrator: Children need opportunities to play in safe outdoor environments to develop a healthy active lifestyle, but playgrounds are also a place where active children can fall or be injured. An ideal playground is one that encourages children to challenge themselves while presenting little risk of injury. So, how can you foster a culture of safety on playgrounds?

Select and correctly install safe, age-appropriate, and developmentally appropriate structures. The playground should separate active play areas such as swings and slides away from quieter activities such as a sandbox, nature-based learning, and dramatic play. Separate infant and toddler play areas from preschool play areas.

Maintain safe surfaces under and around swings, slides, climbers, and other playground equipment. The surface material under playground equipment should be able to cushion a child's fall. Asphalt, cement, dirt, and grass are not safe surfaces. Choose and maintain surfacing that is right for your climate and the age of the children.

Keep use zones clear. Make sure there are no benches, fences, or other objects in the areas around play equipment. They should also be free of things like tricycles, toys, rocks, and other children.

Actively supervise. Position yourself to maximize the number of children you can see. Make sure there is someone positioned near equipment most likely to cause an injury. National data show that monkey bars, swings, and slides are common locations for playground injuries. Scan and count children frequently, and listen for signs that children may need help.

Anticipate children's behavior on the playground. If there are too many children on one structure, or if they are misusing it, engage and redirect them to another part of the playground.

Inspect and repair. Outdoor play spaces are subject to wear and tear. Conduct a safety check with a checklist every time children use the playground. This will help you identify hazards that may have appeared unexpectedly. A safety check will also alert you to pieces of equipment that may be broken or worn. Eliminate hazards immediately or restrict access to the unsafe area until repairs are completed.

Here are some questions to consider: Does your program have a checklist for daily playground inspections? Do you know who is responsible for maintaining playground equipment and surfacing? Do staff have an active supervision plan for the playground? Do staff know how to check for safe temperatures and healthy air quality before taking children out to play? Do staff bring a first aid kit and emergency supplies to the playground?

In a program committed to a culture of safety, staff should be able to answer these questions easily with "Yes". When we focus on playground safety, we give children a safe and fun way to grow and play.

Implementation Tips

Select and correctly install safe, age-appropriate, and developmentally appropriate structures. Separate active play areas (e.g., swings and slides) from quieter activities (e.g., sandbox, nature-based learning, and dramatic play). Also, separate infant and toddler play areas from preschool play areas. Choose equipment that meets Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommendations and American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards. The equipment manufacturer can tell you if its products meet these standards. Make sure that whoever installs the structures follows the manufacturer’s guidance.
Maintain safe surfaces under and around playground equipment. A playground surface is the material under and around swings, slides, climbers, and other playground equipment that cushions a fall. Surfacing prevents serious injuries by absorbing the impact of a child’s fall. Unsafe playground surfacing material is the leading cause of playground injury. Loose-fill material such as sand, pea gravel, wood chips, engineered wood fiber, or materials such as tiles, mats, or poured-in-place rubber can cushion a child’s fall. Install loose-fill materials deep enough to allow for compaction (most need 12 inches or more). Asphalt, cement, dirt, and grass are not acceptable; children falling on these surfaces have an increased risk of serious injury. Remember, even the best surfacing can’t prevent all injuries. You also need guardrails and protective barriers to prevent falls from elevated platforms. Always check with the manufacturer to determine which product best meets your program’s needs.

When choosing surface material, consider:
- Budget: The cost of the surface materials, as well as short- and long-term maintenance and replacement costs.
- Use: The number and ages of the children using the space, and whether anyone else has access to the play areas during nights and weekends.
- Labor: The time that it will take for staff to maintain the product on a regular basis.
- Weather: Temperatures, wind conditions, and precipitation, which can affect surface materials.
- Accessibility: Very few loose-fill materials are accessible for wheelchair users. Engineered wood fibers provide better access. Solid materials are best for people with mobility impairments.
Keep use zones clear. Make sure you set up use zones that meet the requirements for each play structure. The area under and around equipment must be free of hazards such as benches, barrels, fences, and other pieces of play equipment. It should also be free of items like trikes, toys, and rocks, and be free of groups of children. Children at play often move objects around, so keeping use zones clear requires vigilance.
Actively supervise. Have an active supervision plan for the playground. Make sure staff position themselves to scan and count children frequently and can listen for signs that children may need help. Be aware of areas staff cannot see easily, hiding places, and gates. Make sure there is someone positioned near monkey bars, swings, and slides. These are common locations for playground injuries. Review your data on playground injuries to develop a plan for playground supervision. Anticipate children’s behavior on the playground, such as which children with emerging motor skills may need extra support. If there are too many children on one structure or they are misusing it, engage and redirect them to another part of the playground. Make sure staff communicate if someone has to leave the playground, so others can reposition themselves to ensure they leave no child unsupervised.
Inspect and repair. Outdoor play spaces are subject to a great deal of wear and tear. Once you correctly install safe, age-appropriate, and developmentally appropriate equipment, it still requires regular inspections and maintenance. Schedule periodic inspections and repairs following manufacturer’s instructions. Use a comprehensive safety checklist before each use of a playground. A daily safety check will also alert you to any pieces of equipment that may have broken or worn out since their last use. Loose or missing parts and sharp edges often cause playground injuries. Be sure you know how to fill out the checklist accurately. Follow your program’s policies and procedures to promptly report any hazards. Remove or restrict children’s access to any immediate hazards. Use your facility’s maintenance system to report and repair equipment and use a tracking system to make sure you complete the work.