Want to know more?

• What to look for regarding the play equipment and playgrounds

• Height limits for play equipment should generally be one foot per year of age of the intended users.



• Equipment must be designed for the ages, interests and abilities of the children.



• Metal surfaces (slides, bars and rungs) must be shaded to prevent burns.



• Surfacing material (sand, pea gravel, wood mulch, rubber mulch) under the fall zone of playground equipment must be 9 - 12 inches deep, depending upon the material. See Caring for Our Children Appendix V Depth Required for Tested Shock Absorbing Surfacing Materials for Use Under Play Equipment



• Surfacing material must be re-distributed regularly.



Hint: Fall zones vary according to the equipment. See the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's Handbook on Public Playground Safety for individual equipment fall zone dimensions (http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/325.pdf).


• Recycled surfacing materials (like rubber mats) must be manufactured under federal product safety guidelines



• Exercise rings and other openings must be smaller than 3 1/2 inches or larger than 9 inches (to prevent strangulation).



• Crawl spaces (like pipes and tunnels) must be firmly anchored and have a diameter of at least 23 inches.



• There must be no water (ditches, pools, fish ponds, etc) other than water play tables.



• Fences must be at least 4 feet high and no more than 3 ½ inches off the ground, and made of materials that discourage climbing.



• Fencing twist wires and bolts must face away from the playground.



• Bolts, screws, hooks and eyes, rungs and all other connecting and linking hardware must be designed to prevent loosening or unfastening, except by adults with special tools.



• Climbing structures and swings must be anchored in concrete footing at least 6 inches deep.



• Playgrounds must be located more than 30 feet away from electrical transformers & substations, high voltage power lines, air conditioning units, railroad tracks, sources of toxic fumes or gases, or other major hazards.



• Swings must have only 2 seats per frame; they must be positioned at least 24 inches apart from each other and 30 inches from any supports. Front and back clearance areas (where no people or objects are allowed) must be the distance of twice the height of the swing.



• Sand boxes must be covered when not in use.



• There should be enough play equipment and materials to avoid excessive competition and long waits.



• How are children supervised during playground time?
• Caregivers must walk around the playground, staying with the children and watching them closely (not clustering together for chatting). Playground time is not break time for caregivers.



• Supervisors should conduct a daily playground safety inspection (checking for: "bald spots" in surfacing material, broken glass, choking hazards, broken equipment, animal excrement, etc.). Problems must be corrected before children are allowed to play outside.



• Children must be checked for loose clothing, draw strings, skipping ropes - anything that could get caught on equipment.



• Children must be dressed appropriately for outdoor play, including sunscreen application.



• Children should be taught playground safety rules:



• Take turns.


• Stay away from swings and moving equipment being used by others.


• No eating or chewing gum on the playground.


• Sit down on swings.


• Go down the slide feet first.


• Hold onto handgrips and railings.



• When is it too hot or too cold to play outside?
Children should not play outdoors if:

• The heat index is at or above 90 degrees F,


• The wind chill is at or below 15 degrees F,


• Air quality conditions that pose significant health risks as reported in public safety alerts by the local health department.


Note:

• Fresh air and exercise are good for children.


• They should spend time outdoors every day, if possible.


• Drinking water should be available during all activities.


• Children should be dressed appropriate for the conditions outside.


• Children should be dressed in light, sun protective clothing in warm weather.


• In cold weather, children's clothing should be layered and dry.


• Children should be protected from the sun by wearing sun screen with at least SPF 15 or higher.