Playgrounds are amazing spaces for children, promoting physical exercise and social interaction simultaneously. But they can also be dangerous if designed, installed, or used incorrectly.
That’s why it’s so important that we remain committed to making playgrounds safer – but how exactly do we do it?
Aspects of Playground Safety
If you have access to commercial playground equipment, you can build a playground. But there’s no guarantee that the playground will be inherently safe, even if you splurge on the best materials you can afford.
According to Matt Allison of Actively Play, “Commercial playgrounds need to be designed and constructed according to the appropriate playground safety standards. The goal here is to maintain a play environment that is challenging and engaging but also safe and free of hazards.”
These are some of the most important aspects of playground safety to consider:
Materials and Components
First, you need to think about the materials and components being used. Quality bears significant influence here, as do construction methods. It’s easy to see why. If you visit a safe, adequately constructed playground, you’ll see various pieces of equipment made from materials like aluminum and solid, durable plastic. If you try to replicate these structures with cardboard, you’ll instantly recognize them as unsafe.
Obviously, this is an exaggerated example, and nobody would seriously consider using cardboard to build a playground, but it makes an important point: material quality and appropriateness dictate some level of safety.
Notes: This is called a demonstrated record of durability in a playground or outdoor setting.
Installation
You also need to consider how the equipment is installed. The depth of posts, the tightness of screws, the positioning of various components, and other nuances can greatly increase or decrease the relative safety of a finished project. This is one reason why it’s so important to hire competent contractors to do the installation work. While many playground projects can be tackled with a DIY approach, it’s still important to take the little details seriously.
Notes: For commercial playgrounds you’ll want to use an installer with a CPSI certificate. This means “Certified Playground Safety Inspector.” They will be familiar with playground safety standards and make sure the playground install is done correctly.
Flooring
Even with a perfectly designed and installed playground, it’s natural for children to occasionally trip and fall. That’s why it’s important to give special consideration to the flooring all around your playground. Surfacing material should provide adequate cushioning to decrease the risk of injuries from falls, even if it means spending a little extra. Rubber mulch, playground turf, and engineered wood fiber are just a few of your options here.
Notes: The playground surfacing used needs to be matched with the requirements of the playground equipment. It also needs to meet the appropriate safety standards and ADA accessibility standards.
Age Appropriateness
If an exceptionally small child attempts to use equipment that’s designed for older children, they’re going to be much more likely to hurt themselves. Similarly, bigger children who use equipment designed for smaller children may be more prone to certain types of injury. It’s important to design your playground with age appropriateness in mind, with options for all your target demographics. It’s also important to post advisements so parents and guardians understand the age appropriateness of each component.
Responsible Use
Next, it’s important to practice responsible use. Unfortunately, you may not have as much direct control over this area, especially if your playground is available to the general public. Using playground equipment outside the appropriate age range or using playground equipment incorrectly can result in injury. Simple rules and guidelines, along with highly encouraged parental supervision, can help prevent injuries in this area.
Notes: Posting a sign is a great way to let users know about risks and using equipment appropriately.
Maintenance
Finally, it’s important to practice routine maintenance. Even with perfect installation, gradual wear and tear will eventually make the playground unsafe. Periodic checks and replacements can help prevent issues here.
Some experts use the acronym SAFE to capture the most important components here: Supervision, Appropriate Environments, Fall Surfacing, and Equipment Maintenance.
Making Safer Playgrounds
So what steps can we take to make safer playgrounds?
Increase investments. A more expensive playground isn’t necessarily a safer one, but increasing investments can sometimes mitigate safety issues. When playground designers and city planners have more flexible budgets, they can afford to splurge on safer materials, more qualified contractors, and better signage.
Introduce checks and balances. There should be multiple people responsible for maintaining safety at playgrounds. Design, installation, maintenance, and supervision all play a role in overall playground safety.
Evaluate appropriateness carefully. Make sure every component of your playground is properly targeted and evaluated for safety with respect to specific age groups. Also, make sure parents understand these age appropriateness levels.
Supervise and monitor. In many cases, it’s helpful to have responsible adults on standby to help supervise busy playgrounds and provide first aid if and when necessary. Failing this, parents should be strongly encouraged to directly supervise their playing children.
Ensure proper follow-through. Good maintenance habits can keep playgrounds safer. Make sure you document them and ensure they’re being practiced routinely.
With safer and more abundant playgrounds, our children will have more opportunities to play with each other, explore the great outdoors, and develop socially. Building safe playgrounds isn’t always cheap or easy, but it’s something we need to commit to doing if we want to introduce more safe, fun environments for children.
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