Each year, emergency departments treat more than 200,000 children for playground-related injuries. Most of these injuries are due to falls from equipment. Check that the surface under and around all equipment is safe and soft. It should be padded to cushion kids’ falls.
Look for climbing structures that are not crowded. Crowded climbing structures make it difficult for adults to maintain constant supervision.
Age-Appropriate Equipment
Age-appropriate playground equipment is designed with the physical and developmental skills of the children who will use it in mind. Having different areas of the playground designated for various ages will help kids advance intellectually and physically, and it also prevents frustration when they encounter equipment that is too advanced or difficult for their size. Specifically, playground equipment for the 6 – 23 months age range will feature lower deck heights and simpler climbing features and slides. Equipment that is geared toward preschool-aged children will include more advanced play activities and problem solving activity panels to supplement classroom learning, and collaborative elements like puppet or store front components for imaginative play.
School-age children are able to play more independently and often want to embrace their inner daredevils, so the playground equipment they choose should challenge them physically. The right equipment will help them develop their balance and coordination, as well as enhance their cognitive abilities through collaborative activities and other interactive elements.
Safe Surfaces
While playground equipment may be the first thing that comes to mind when designing a 안전놀이터, it’s what lies underneath that will have the biggest impact on kids’ safety. The right surface will protect them from falls and bumps that could send them to the hospital. The best choice for your playground’s ground covering is a solid rubber surface. It is available in several thickness levels to match the required impact attenuation for different pieces of playground equipment and offers excellent accessibility for wheelchairs.
This material is made of recycled tires that are shredded and bonded together to form an extremely durable, nonporous surface. It’s cheaper than many loose-fill alternatives but requires regular maintenance to ensure the material stays at a minimum height that meets safety standards. It’s also one of the most environmentally friendly options.
Safe Falling Techniques
While bumps and bruises are inescapable parts of childhood play, serious falls on playground equipment can result in fractures or even concussion. To minimize the risk of these injuries, kids should be encouraged to use safe falling techniques such as tucking and rolling. Injuries also occur when kids try to use equipment that is not age-appropriate or if they are insufficiently supervised. This is especially true of younger children, who are at the highest risk for injuries on playgrounds.
To prevent these injuries, adults should carefully inspect playgrounds before allowing children to use them. The inspector should walk under, on top of, and around equipment to check for potential hazards such as loose parts, sharp edges, or uneven surfaces. They should also test equipment for proper temperature, as hot surfaces can increase the likelihood of injury. In addition, adults should teach children the importance of reporting any unsafe items they see on the playground. This helps to keep the play environment clean and safe for all kids.
Supervision
While not all injuries can be prevented, a well-developed playground supervision plan can help reduce the risk of serious accidents. In addition to being trained on a playground safety checklist, supervisors should be taught the proper procedures for responding to emergencies. This should include the instruction that if someone is injured, all other children must line up outside the playground area and wait until help arrives. Supervisors should also be equipped with a walkie-talkie to ensure they can communicate with other adults for assistance when needed.
Another effective method of reducing playground injury is teaching kids about the importance of safe play. This can be done by establishing rules for each age group and encouraging them to follow them. For example, younger kids can be taught the importance of waiting for their turn on equipment like slides. This helps deter the type of impulsive behavior that leads to many playground injuries. Lastly, it is important to perform regular inspections of the playground to ensure there are no objects left behind by others that could become a choking hazard for kids.
What’s Next?
Kids love playing outside, but accidents can happen. Injuries on playgrounds can be reduced by following basic safety guidelines. Make sure there is appropriate ‘impact attenuating surfacing’ beneath and around equipment. This should be a soft surface like wood chips or mulch, sand, pea gravel or wet pour rubber.
