Every year, more than
200,000 children younger than 14 are treated for
playground-related injuries nationwide. Here are tips for
creating a safe play space from Dr. Jim Schmidt, co-founder of
the Virginia Beach, Va.-based childproofing company Child
Safety House Calls:
Cushion it. 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. If
equipment is less than 5 feet tall, you also can choose to
spread sand or gravel underneath (again, make it at least 9
inches deep).
Create a fall zone. Cushioned surfacing
should extend at least 6 feet in all directions from
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 31/2 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 as they go down instead.
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