Every year, more than 200,000 children younger than 14 are treated for playground-related injuries nationwide. Here are tips for creating a safe play space from Dr. Jim Schmidt, co-founder of the Virginia Beach, Va.-based childproofing company Child Safety House Calls:
• Cushion it. Use at least 9 inches of a soft material—such as mulch or shredded rubber—to create a shock-absorbing surface for equipment up to 7 feet tall. If equipment is less than 5 feet tall, you also can choose to spread sand or gravel underneath (again, make it at least 9 inches deep).
• Create a fall zone. Cushioned surfacing should extend at least 6 feet in all directions from equipment.
• Anchor it. Make sure playground equipment is level and securely anchored into the ground.
• Eliminate spaces that could trap children. All openings on equipment should be less than 3.5 or inches or greater than 9 inches.
• Inspect hardware regularly. Remove sharp points by capping any exposed screws and bolts. Replace open “s” hooks with new safety hardware.
• Remove tripping hazards. The area around a playground should be free of trees stumps, rocks, concrete footings and anything else a child could fall over. You also should do regular sweeps for glass, old nails and other sharp objects.
• Maintain the space. Check the depth of your cushioned surfacing regularly, as materials will compact, decompose, or wash away over time. Tighten bolts and screws annually.
• Reconsider sliding with your toddler. A recent study showed many young children can break their shinbone when riding down a sliding board on an adult’s lap. Stand off to the side and spot them as they go down instead.
