Checking Playgrounds for Safety

A playground can be a wonderful place for children to get exercise while having fun. Unfortunately, a poorly designed or non-maintained playground may pose more opportunities for injury than play. If you plan to take your child to a nearby playground, or enroll him or her at a school or daycare with one, it is important to give it at least a quick evaluation for basic safety.

Safe Designs

Every playground should be designed and built in a way that is both safe and age-appropriate. Positive qualities to look for include:

Soft ground surfaces – Falls are common when children are playing, and they often even choose to jump from the equipment. Consequently, the ground coating needs to be something that can absorb the impact of a fall without causing serious injuries. Good materials to use for this purpose include pieces of rubber, wood chips, and loose sand.

Plastic or rubber swings – Wooden swings can splinter, while metal swings can become very hot in the sunlight. In addition, hard surfaces can pose the risk of head injuries. The swings at your child’s playground should be made from a soft but sturdy surface. If the area is intended for pre-school aged or younger children, bucket swings should also be available.

Sturdy equipment – Climbing equipment should be made from plastic or rubber, not wood that will splinter or metal that will become over-heated. All equipment should be firmly anchored to the ground – otherwise, children may accidentally or intentionally pull it over. Naturally, equipment should not have sharp edges or corners.

All of these qualities are positive things to find in a playground. Of course, there are also negatives which should be avoided.

Unsafe Designs

A playground may not be safe for your child to use if it has problems such as:

Poor maintenance – If there is glass, plastic, or other debris on the ground, you know the area is not properly maintained. Litter like sharp glass or lighters are not only inherently dangerous; they may also be a sign of poor maintenance and a general lack of security.

Excessive heights – Climbing equipment or slides that are too tall can create the risk of dangerous falls. For small children, no platforms or climbing areas should be more than a few feet off the ground. Platforms that are above 20 inches off the ground require guardrails.

Lack of space – There needs to be enough space between each piece of equipment to ensure that children can play without colliding with one another. For example, there should be enough room around a swing set for a swing to be fully extended without hitting another child.

It is natural to feel anxious about your child’s safety. However, inspecting the equipment your child uses to make sure it is safe can offer at least some peace of mind.

To learn about legal issues related to playground safety, contact Brooklyn personal injury lawyers Parker Waichman Alonso, LLP.