Playgrounds should be places where children can explore, socialize, and develop important physical and social skills. Unfortunately, more than 200,000 children visit U.S. hospital emergency rooms each year due to playground-related injuries. These incidents highlight the critical need for rigorous playground safety measures and effective risk management practices.

Playgrounds are found in various settings, including parks, schools, childcare centers, apartment complexes, and recreational facilities. Understanding and implementing playground safety guidelines are crucial steps toward mitigating these risks across diverse environments. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) provides detailed guidelines to help parks, schools, and other organizations choose and maintain safe playground equipment. Compliance with these guidelines, as well as ASTM voluntary standards, is often required by local jurisdictions, risk managers, and insurance companies. Philadelphia Insurance Companies (PHLY) is committed to helping organizations create safe playground environments through comprehensive risk management strategies.

Key Considerations for Playground Safety

Creating a safe playground involves careful planning and maintenance. Here are some essential factors to consider:

Site Selection and Layout: Proper site selection and layout are the foundation for a safe playground. Evaluate the location and setup of the playground to ensure a secure environment for children.

• Travel Patterns and Hazards: Ensure no hazards, such as busy roads or bodies of water, are near the playground. Use fences or dense hedges to contain children safely, and ensure that any fences have a working gate with a secure lock to prevent unauthorized access.
• Sun Exposure: Provide shaded areas and warnings for visitors about sun-exposed surfaces to protect children from sunburn and equipment overheating.
• Slope and Drainage: Properly grade the site to prevent loose-fill materials from washing away during heavy rains.
• Signage: Install clear, visible signs indicating age-appropriate areas, safety rules, and emergency contact information to ensure that all playground users and supervisors know the necessary precautions.
  
  

Age-Appropriate Equipment: Selecting appropriate equipment for children of different age groups using the playground is critical to their safety. The CPSC outlines specific recommendations for different age groups to ensure equipment is suitable and safe for use.

• Toddlers (6-23 months): Equipment should include low climbing structures, ramps, single-file step ladders, and swings with full bucket seats.
• Preschool (2-5 years): Include low climbing structures, short slides, ramps, and generally lower platforms with multiple access points like ramps and stairs.
• School-age (5-12 years): Provide more complex equipment such as arch climbers, overhead rings, and spiral slides.
  
  

Protective Surfacing: There are two main types of playground surfacing: loose-fill and unitary. Loose-fill is a type of surfacing made from granular materials such as mulch or sand. Unitary playground surfaces are a solid, fixed playground surface made from materials like rubber tiles or poured-in-place rubber that are bonded together creating a smooth surface. Proper surfacing helps cushion falls and prevent serious injuries.

Loose-Fill

• Use materials like engineered wood fiber, pea gravel, sand, shredded rubber mulch, and wood chips that meet ASTM F1292 standards to cushion falls and prevent serious injuries.
• According to the CPSC, the proper depth of loose-fill surfacing material is typically 12 inches deep. These materials will compact over time, so the initial installation should be slightly deeper to maintain the necessary depth after settling.
• Loose-fill is typically less expensive; however, since it can compact and be displaced over time, it is required to monitor and replenish when needed.
  
  

Unitary

• Material used for unitary surfacing include poured-in-pace rubber, bond-in-place rubber, interlocking resilient tiles, and synthetic turf with padding. All should meet the ASTM F1292.
• This type of surfacing should be installed by licensed and insured professionals.
• Unitary is typically more expensive up-front but requires less ongoing maintenance and upkeep compared to loose-fill materials. It also provides a more inclusive playground experience for visitors using mobility devices or wheelchairs.

For both types, ensure that surfacing extends at least six feet from all playground equipment, and for swings, extend it twice the height of the suspending bar in front and back.

Supervision Best Practices: Effective supervision is crucial for maintaining a safe playground, particularly in schools and childcare centers. Proper supervision can prevent accidents and ensure that children use playground equipment appropriately.

• Staff-to-Child Ratios: Maintain appropriate staff-to-child ratios based on age group and activity levels. For example, a ratio of 1:10 for school-age children and 1:6 for toddlers is recommended.
• Active Supervision: Supervisors, or monitors, should be actively engaged, moving around the playground and positioning themselves to see all areas clearly. They should not be distracted by personal tasks like using a mobile phone.
• Training: Ensure all monitors are trained in playground safety and emergency procedures. They should know how to respond to injuries and potential safety hazards.
  
  

Equipment and Playground Maintenance: Regular maintenance of playground equipment and the surrounding area is essential to keep it safe for use. Routine inspections and prompt repairs help prevent accidents caused by equipment failures.

• Equipment Inspection: Regularly inspect for broken equipment, hazardous debris, and proper anchoring. Address issues like rust, rot, and missing parts promptly to maintain a safe playground environment.
• Playground Upkeep: Remove overgrowth, litter, and hazardous debris from the playground area. Ensure that loose-fill materials are fluffed and spread, especially under high-use areas like the ends of slides and under swings, to maintain adequate cushioning. For unitary surfacing, note any damage, gauges, or issues and address them as soon as possible.
• Trip Hazards: Regularly scan the playground for trip hazards such as exposed concrete footings, abrupt changes in surface elevation, tree roots, stumps, and rocks.
• Protrusion and Entanglement Hazards: Ensure no protruding bolts, hardware, or components could impale or entangle a child. Regularly check for open "S" hooks on swings, rungs, and handholds that protrude outward.
• Avoiding Head and Neck Entrapment: Check all enclosed or partially enclosed openings for potential head or neck entrapment hazards. Openings between three and a half and nine inches should be avoided.
• Documentation: Keep detailed records of all inspections and maintenance activities. Documenting these actions helps ensure accountability and provides a reference for future safety audits.
  
  

Implementing a Comprehensive Playground Safety Program

Establishing a playground safety program involves several key steps to ensure a thorough and effective approach to risk management:

1. Identify Requirements: Understand the specific federal and state regulations that apply to your organization.
2. Develop Policies: Create clear policies outlining your playground safety procedures.
3. Choose Reliable Partners: Work with trusted playground equipment providers and leverage resources like PHLY's risk management services.
4. Train Staff: Ensure that all employees and volunteers understand the importance of playground safety and are trained in your policies.
5. Regular Reviews: Periodically review and update your playground safety processes to ensure ongoing compliance and effectiveness.
   
   

Conclusion: Commitment to Playground Safety

Creating a safe playground environment is not just about compliance; it's about protecting children and providing a space where they can safely explore and grow. At PHLY, we are dedicated to helping you implement effective risk management strategies to ensure playground safety.

For more information about our playground safety resources, contact us today. Let's work together to create secure and enjoyable playgrounds for all children.

For specific details on playground safety best practices, you can refer to the NRPA's Daily Dozen Playground Safety Checklist.

_{IMPORTANT NOTICE - The information and suggestions presented by Philadelphia Indemnity Insurance Company are for your consideration in your loss prevention efforts. They are not intended to be complete or definitive in identifying all hazards associated with your business, preventing workplace accidents, or complying with any safety related, or other, laws or regulations. You are encouraged to alter them to fit the specific hazards of your business and to have your legal counsel review all of your plans and company policies.}