The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimated in a 2010 report that emergency rooms see more than 200,000 playground-related injuries occur each year. It is for this reason that organizations such as the CPSC provide guidelines on how to design playgrounds that satisfy playground safety requirements. By following those requirements you can create a safer playground and reduce playground-related injuries.
Playground Design
Playgrounds should have separate areas designated for children aged 2 to 5 and those 5 to 12; these areas should be designed based on the developmental ability of those ages. Signs posted throughout the area let adults clearly know which area is appropriate for what age. Separate zones can contain certain types of equipment; moving equipment such as swings or merry-go-rounds can go on a corner, edge or side of the play area while you can place the slide end in a less-congested part of the playground.
Playground Surface
A surface appropriate for falling children to land on --- pea gravel, sand, rubber mulch or wood mulch and wood chips not treated with the preservative chromated copper arsenate --- should sit underneath the playground equipment, the CPSC advises. Playground builders should avoid using asphalt, carpet, concrete, dirt, grass and CCA-treated wood mulch. At least 12 inches of material should be placed underneath equipment and extended to about 6 feet in all directions from the equipment.
Playground Maintenance
Playground equipment should be inspected often to identify broken pieces. When broken pieces are identified, they should be repaired immediately, with the affected area closed to prevent children from playing on it. Inspectors should look for loose bolts or other pieces and tighten them. Wood structures should be treated regularly to avoid splinters.
Playground Supervision
Playgrounds should have no blind spots or areas where children can easily hide. Crawl spaces, tunnels or other enclosed areas should include areas of transparent materials so children are easily seen. The majority of the playground equipment should remain visible from the park benches.
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