Tips for creating a safe playground surface:

Create a fall zone. Cushioned  rubber surfacing should extend at least 6 feet in all sides from playground equipment.

Anchor it. Make sure playground equipment is level and securely anchored into the ground.

Eliminate spaces that could trap children. All openings on equipment should be less than 3 1/2 or inches or greater than 9 inches.

Inspect hardware regularly. Remove sharp points by capping any exposed screws and bolts. Replace open “s” hooks with new safety hardware.

Remove tripping hazards. The area around a playground should be free of trees stumps, rocks, concrete footings and anything else a child could fall over. You also should do regular sweeps for glass, old nails and other sharp objects.

Maintain the space. Check the depth of your cushioned surfacing regularly, as materials will compact, decompose, or wash away over time. Tighten bolts and screws annually.

Reconsider sliding with your toddler. A recent study showed many young children can break their shinbone when riding down a sliding board on an adult’s lap. Stand off to the side and spot them.

Each year, more than 200,000 children younger than 14 are treated for playground-related injuries nationwide.

Tips from Dr. Jim Schmidt, co-founder of the Virginia Beach, Va.-based childproofing company Child Safety House Calls:

Parents should Cushion playgrounds. Use at least 9 inches of a soft material – such as mulch or shredded rubber – to create a shock-absorbing surface for equipment up to 7 feet tall.

You can find more information regarding Playground surfacing at EPA web page

This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 19th, 2010 at 11:07 pm and is filed under Mulch, Playground safety, Rubber. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.