FOR MORE INFORMATION
healthychildren.org: Playground Safety - How to Ensure Injury-Free Fun
healthychildren.org: Safety Tips for Home Playground Equipment
healthychildren.org: Playing Outside - Why It's Important for Kids
Playground Safety
Playgrounds are a great way for children to have fun, exercise, and socialize. Keep the following tips in mind to help your child stay safe during playtime.
Children should only use playground equipment appropriate for their size, developmental level, abilities, and age. Equipment that is too large could be difficult for young children to safely reach.
When choosing a safe playground, make sure the surface underneath can help absorb and soften the impact when children fall. Thick layers of material like rubber, mulch, wood chips, pea gravel, or sand are safer options than concrete, asphalt, and grass.
Children should always have adult supervision at the playground. This can help prevent injuries and accidents for all ages. If an injury does occur, the adult can quickly reach the child and administer first aid when necessary.
Teach children how to play safely at a playground:
• Never push others or roughhouse on the equipment.
• Check that no other children are below when going down a slide or jumping off playground equipment.
• Use all playground equipment as intended.
• Keep all items, such as bags, bikes, and skateboards, away from the play area to help prevent tripping.
Make sure your child does not wear necklaces, bags, purses, or clothing with drawstrings or cords at the playground. Remind them to take off bike or other multi-sport helmets. These items could get caught on the equipment and may accidentally strangle a child.
Playground equipment can become extremely hot in the sun. Metal equipment, such as slides, railings, monkey bars, and swings, can be especially hot. If the equipment feels too hot to touch, it could cause burns and is unsafe to use.
When playing on swings, always sit down and hold on tightly with both hands. Avoid standing or kneeling on the swing. Do not jump off while the swing is in the air.
Teach your child not to cross in front of or behind moving swings to avoid getting hit. Only one person should use a swing seat at a time.
When playing on slides, always go down feet first and sitting up. Do not go down a slide head first. Only one child should go down the slide at a time. After reaching the bottom, move away quickly to clear the path for other children.
When using climbing equipment, children should always be aware of a safe way down if they can't finish the climb. Teach children to always use both hands on the equipment and to stay away from others that may be climbing at the same time.
When using merry-go-rounds and other spinning equipment, sit down and hold on before putting the equipment in motion.
• Check to ensure there are not other children underneath or too close to the equipment.
• Do not jump off a spinning playground toy. Climb off when the equipment has completely stopped spinning.
• Stay back and watch from a safe distance while others are riding and do not stand in the way of the spinning platform.
Do you have questions about playground safety?
Call our FREE Safety Store Helpline at 317-274-6565. You can talk with our staff live Monday-Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM about your safety questions.