Outdoor Play Areas

Children should always play on equipment specifically designed for their age group. Most of the serious injuries that occur in play areas result from playing on age-inappropriate equipment. 

Equipment should be properly spaced to eliminate injury hazards to children and include considerations for congested areas, such as entrance and exit points.

The outdoor play areas should be checked for levelness. Some locations may need re-grading to reduce slope. Uneven ground increases the likelihood of tripping, erosion or water pooling, creating possible injury hazards to children.

Surface materials must be used around play area equipment because they can reduce the severity of physical injuries sustained by children. However, play areas containing inappropriate or improperly maintained fall surface materials may actually cause or exacerbate injuries. Check with the Child Care Licensing Guidebook or your licensor for the current requirements regarding the types of surfacing materials.

Eliminate potential hazards, including:
Overhanging tree limbs or wires
Tree stumps or exposed roots
Large rocks
Debris
Hooks, holes or snags that can cause entrapment
Sharp edges
Fatigue or deteriorating equipment
Places that may crush, pinch or bind
Ledges or platforms without guardrails
Signs of vandalism
Excessive water or puddling
Waste, debris or hazard materials in sandboxes
Overheated equipment causing burns
Hidden areas to prevent supervision

This list is by no means complete. You must always be on the look out for dangers in a play area. Get down to a child's level. Check the playground up, down, sideways and backwards. You can bet that if you don't do your best to prevent an accident, one will happen, and you will be liable.

Related Training:
Risk Management (2 hours / .2 CEU)
A Basic Approach to Child Safety - 2 hours
Safety: Curriculum Development Tools (1 hour / .1 CEU)