Top Ten Home Playground Safety Tips

Each year, more than 200,000 children will be admitted to a hospital emergency room because of playground injuries.  Below is a safety checklist to help you prevent injuries and make sure your home playground is a safe place for children:

Top Ten Home Playground Safety Checklist

1. Install and maintain a shock-absorbing surface around the play equipment. For example, use at least 9 inches of wood chips, mulch or shredded rubber for play equipment up to 7 feet high. If sand or pea gravel is used, install at least a 9-inch layer of the material for play equipment up to 5 feet high.
2. Install protective surfacing at least 6 feet in all directions from play equipment. For swings, be sure the surfacing extends both in back and front to a distance twice the height of the suspending bar.
3. Never attach or allow children to attach ropes, jump ropes, strings, clotheslines or pet leashes to play equipment. Children can strangle on these.
4. Check for faulty or worn-out hardware.  For example open “S” hooks or protruding bolt ends can be hazardous.
5. Remove or securely cover sharp points or edges on the equipment, which also can be dangerous to children.
6. Check for spaces that could trap children such as openings in guardrails or between ladder rungs.  These spaces should measure less than 3.5 inches.
7. Make sure platforms and ramps have guardrails to prevent falls.
8. Remove trip hazards like tree stumps and rocks.
9. Regularly check the playground equipment to make sure it is in good condition.  All things wear out over time; playground equipment is no exception.
10. Carefully supervise children on playground equipment to make sure they are safe.

If your child is injured on a public playground or due to the negligence of another in West Virginia, feel free to contact a licensed personal injury lawyer at West Law Offices for a free consultation.