5 Hazards at the Playground

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Babies swinging, toddlers sliding, big kids running laps around their parents—the playground is, or should be, the happiest place in the neighborhood. And while there’s freedom in heading to a space where your rambunctious kid can explore and burn off some energy, parents who use it as an excuse to check out Facebook— or simply check out — should think twice.

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According to the National Safety Council, more than 200,000 kids visit the ER each year as a result of injuries sustained on the playground. “Children tend to use equipment in unintended ways, which can lead to accidents,” Amy Artuso, the home and community safety expert at the National Safety Council, tells Yahoo Parenting. “We understand you can’t prevent every injury, and we don’t want parents to be scared of the playground, but if you stay educated about the risks and are observant of your child’s behavior, you can minimize the chances of injury.”

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So what should you look for when scoping out your local playground? Artuso has five helpful suggestions:

1. Shock-Absorbing Surfaces

Nearly 80 percent of playground injuries are due to falls. “Slides are a perfect example. Kids are meant to slide down sitting, but it’s not uncommon to see kids climbing up,” Artuso says. “More and more playgrounds have shock-absorbing surfaces like rubber mats, wood chips, or mulch, which help cushion falls.” While grass isn’t ideal, she says, dealing with it is better than not going to the playground at all. Concrete, however, is a no-no.

2. Heavy Traffic or Bodies of Water

“You have to take into consideration the area around the playground,” Artuso says. Ideally it will be sectioned off, but if not, it should be in the middle of a big park, so kids can’t wander off into dangerous territory.

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3. Separate Play Areas for Older and Younger Kids

The safest playgrounds have a section for the under-five set, and another for the older kids. “Playgrounds should offer a range of equipment that allows children to test their skills,” Artuso says. “But not all equipment is intended for all ages.” A good buffer between the two sections is also important, lest your toddler get trampled. “Older children are more active, while younger kids have slower movement and slower reaction times.”

4. Broken Equipment

Make sure slides are well anchored, handrails are in good condition, and there’s no dangerous hardware, like sharp edges or protruding bolts, on any equipment.

5. Separate Physically Active and Quiet Zones

The swings, for example, should be far from the sandbox, Artuso says. “You always want to teach your children to be a safe distance from kids coming down slides or actively swinging,” she notes.

But even at the safest playground, accidents happen. A few more steps you can take to help ensure an accident-free playtime include:

• Be observant: Paying attention to what your children are up to at the playground is the best thing you can do for them, Artuso says.

• Dress kids appropriately: No drawstrings, hoods, necklaces or scarves that can be caught on equipment.

• Report problems: If you spot dangerous equipment or other hazards, relay them to the owner or operator immediately.