As we travel from playground to playground throughout Colorado, we become more keen to the safety measures that are often employed (or neglected). To keep your little loves safe, be aware of the most common injuries sustained at playgrounds, and what you can do to help prevent them.
Age-Appropriate Equipment
Playgrounds are made to suit different ages. Most playgrounds are built for older kids, ages 6-9 or older. Steps are taller or absent, replaced by bar- or rope-ladders.
Playgrounds that are built for younger children often have smaller steps and climbing equipment that is low to the ground.
Playgrounds built for babies and toddlers are often devoid of steps, but instead have gentle, sloping access to equipment. Climbing apparatuses are not more than a couple of feet off the ground.
Fall Surfaces
Different ground materials proved different levels of protection in the event of a fall. A child can sustain life-threatening head injuries by falling just a couple of feet to the ground. It is critical that the ground beneath a playground is covered in appropriate, shock-absorbing materials. Grass, dirt, and asphalt are considered unsafe surfaces for playground activities. Wood chips, sand, rubber mats, shredded rubber, or poured rubber are examples of safer fall surfaces on a playground.
Read for Yourself:
The Playground Encyclopedia
CDC Playground Injuries Fact Sheet
National Program for Playground Safety
Age-Appropriate Equipment
Playgrounds are made to suit different ages. Most playgrounds are built for older kids, ages 6-9 or older. Steps are taller or absent, replaced by bar- or rope-ladders.
Playgrounds that are built for younger children often have smaller steps and climbing equipment that is low to the ground.
Playgrounds built for babies and toddlers are often devoid of steps, but instead have gentle, sloping access to equipment. Climbing apparatuses are not more than a couple of feet off the ground.
Fall Surfaces
Different ground materials proved different levels of protection in the event of a fall. A child can sustain life-threatening head injuries by falling just a couple of feet to the ground. It is critical that the ground beneath a playground is covered in appropriate, shock-absorbing materials. Grass, dirt, and asphalt are considered unsafe surfaces for playground activities. Wood chips, sand, rubber mats, shredded rubber, or poured rubber are examples of safer fall surfaces on a playground.
Read for Yourself:
The Playground Encyclopedia
CDC Playground Injuries Fact Sheet
National Program for Playground Safety
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