As the weather warms and families head outdoors for entertainment, playgrounds are often a first stop for those with young children. Playgrounds provide plenty of fun, allow children the chance to exercise and practice their social skills, and they are a perfect location for the unstructured, imaginative play that experts say is integral for healthy childhood development. However, a big part of keeping that play fun for children is keeping it safe, and this is especially important on the playground.

While major playground injuries are rare, they do occur. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 200,000 children go to emergency rooms with playground related injuries annually in the U.S. Many accidents are preventable with proper adult supervision and good safety practices.

Adult Supervision

When visiting a playground, parents and caregivers should take the time to inspect playground equipment. Are any structures broken or in need of repair? Are play areas constructed in such a way that adults are able to clearly see children while playing? Is the area fenced in or close to a busy road? Is the playground equipment age appropriate?

It’s extremely important for adults to be able to see both younger and older children while using playground equipment. Younger children are prone to misjudging distances or may be less steady on their feet, while older children may misuse certain equipment or roughhouse. Lastly, if an injury does occur, it’s important for a parent or caregiver to be able to provide necessary first aid.

Teaching Children Playground Safety Practices

Before ever visiting a playground, parents and caregivers can begin instructing their child on basic playground safety. Some general rules to teach and follow include:

• Never push, shove or wrestle while on any playground equipment.
• Avoid overcrowded playground equipment.
• Never use playground equipment that is wet – surfaces are often very slick after rain.
• Use playground equipment as it’s intended (e.g., sliding feet first, remaining seated on swings, etc.).
• Check playground equipment for temperature in the summertime. Some equipment (like metal slides) can cause contact burns in extreme heat.
• Avoid wearing drawstrings, long jewelry, or carrying purses around on playground equipment, as it can pose a risk of injury or even strangulation if caught on something.
• Leave all backpacks, bikes, scooters or other personal belongings away from playground equipment as they can become tripping hazards to running children.
• Always look before jumping or sliding to avoid collision with other children.
• Apply sunscreen before playing outdoors.

Playground Equipment Guidelines

Different pieces of playground equipment pose different safety concerns for children. Before playing, parents should always make sure any equipment is appropriately designed for their child’s age and skills.

• Swing Safety: Teach children to always sit–not stand–on the swing, and discourage kids from swinging on their tummies or jumping off. Swings are only safe for one child to use at a time, and children should hold on tightly with both hands while on the swing. Coach children to never run in front of or behind moving swings and discourage swinging from side to side, where they might hit another child in motion. Lastly, swings should be made of a soft material like rubber or plastic rather than wood or metal.
• Slide Safety: Before sliding, teach children to check that the bottom of the slide is clear of debris or other children. At the top of the slide, children should sit down and slide feet first–not headfirst or on their back or stomach–and move away from the bottom of the slide once their feet are on the ground. Teach children to not climb up a slide or hang from slides. Children should use slides one at a time, and parents should avoid placing younger children in the laps of older children on any slide.
• Climbing Safety: Climbing equipment can vary greatly from playground to playground, and of all playground structures, climbing equipment requires perhaps the most adult supervision. Inspect equipment for sharp points or edges. Make sure that stairs or rungs are evenly spaced and appropriate for your child’s abilities. Make sure your child knows a safe way to get down if they can’t manage to get to the top, and teach children to look before jumping to make sure they won’t hit any other equipment on the way down. Climbing equipment is generally more challenging for children than other kinds of playground equipment and is usually not best for younger children. Lastly, children should always wear functional footwear to a playground, but good athletic shoes are especially important while climbing.

Parents should also consider the surface material of the playground. Playgrounds with wood chips, mulch, sand, or pea gravel at 12 or more inches deep, and those with thick mats made of rubber or rubber-like material are safer than playgrounds constructed over concrete, asphalt or even grass.

Childhood accidents and injuries are inevitable, but keeping playground safety top of mind can help reduce how often they occur. If you see broken equipment or other safety hazards on a playground, be sure to let the owners or municipalities know.

For children enrolled in an ABC Quality provider’s program, parents can rest assured that all playground equipment is monitored for quality and safety on a regular basis. In addition, ABC Quality providers also promote outdoor play as an instrumental part of the development process. To search for an ABC Quality provider, visit https://abcquality.org/families/find-a-provider/.

For more information on general playground safety, visit www.playgroundsafety.org.