Playgrounds are where children learn coordination skills, expand their imaginations and get exercise. But more than 200,000 kids end up in emergency rooms each year because of playground injuries. Look for impact-absorbing surfaces like wood mulch or chips, sand or shredded rubber around equipment. Avoid hard surfaces like grass, asphalt and concrete.
Safety Surfaces
Children are natural explorers who will take big risks and fall down often. But the right playground surfacing will make these hard crashes less painful by cushioning the blow with shock-absorbing material. That’s why the 안전놀이터 starts from the ground up, with a surface that meets CPSC and ADA guidelines.
There are several playground surface options that meet these guidelines. The most popular is solid rubber, which comes in a variety of colors to match your exterior aesthetic. It’s also a great option for ADA accessibility. Another option is bonded rubber, which combines clean, recycled shredded rubber with polyurethane to create an attractive seamless surface. It’s one of the most cost-effective surfacing choices and requires little maintenance, but it must be installed by a trained and certified installer. Loose-fill options like rubber mulch, engineered wood fiber and playground sand can be more affordable to install but require more frequent maintenance to keep them at their safe depth.
Supervision
Supervision is one of the most important factors in preventing playground injuries. Adults should be able to monitor kids, observe equipment and children’s behavior, intervene if necessary and be available to help in an emergency. Ideally, there should be more than one adult supervisor present at the playground. This ensures that if an injury or dangerous situation occurs that another adult is there to redirect the child’s attention or take care of the issue. It also allows for coverage in case of weather or a playground malfunction.
Additionally, adults should have a zero tolerance policy for cell phone use while overseeing children on the playground. This can significantly reduce the ability to actively supervise children. Also, adults should be positioned to clearly see the entire playground area. If there are areas that are out of sight due to positioning, they should be repositioned so they can be monitored.
Equipment
The equipment in a safe playground is well-suited to the age and skills of kids who will use it. It’s also free of sharp points and edges that could cut a child or catch or strangle clothing. Protruding bolt ends, open “S” hooks and other hazards should be cleared from all playground equipment. Even a great safety surface won’t prevent injuries from falls, but they can significantly reduce the severity. Best-in-class safety surfacing is springy, with high elasticity to cushion impacts and minimize head trauma.
It’s important to teach children how to tuck and roll to break falls rather than hitting their heads, which can cause fractures and concussion. Inclusive playground equipment that allows everyone to play together can help encourage this important lesson, further reducing risk. Make sure to check equipment for signs that it meets ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) and CSA (Canadian Standards Association) guidelines. These safety requirements, such as clear routes to and from equipment and protective surfacing, can help keep everyone happy and safe.
Lighting
A poorly lit playground is dangerous for kids. It can lead to a variety of health issues. Sunburns, itching and blistering are some of the consequences. Over time, excessive exposure can lead to skin cancer. It can also cause eye problems. Playground lighting should be bright and consistent throughout the area. This way, parents can keep an eye on their children. In addition, the lights can help deter vandalism and destructive behavior in the park after dark. Access Fixtures provides solar-powered lights for playgrounds and pavilion areas that are powered by a lithium ion battery. They charge during the day and activate at sunset.
Final Thought
The lights are motion-activated and can be dimmed or turned off when the playground is not in use. The lights are also “Dark Sky” compliant. They are ideal for public parks that do not have a lot of available 120-volt power for electrical wires. These lights are a cost-effective solution to keeping the playground safe after dark.
