A playground can be a fun place to explore and exercise for kids. However, adults must be vigilant about hazards and provide supervision. Most playground injuries are the result of children falling from equipment onto the ground. Look for impact-absorbing surfaces that are safe to land on like wood chips, mulch or sand. Avoid hard surfaces that could cause harm, such as asphalt or concrete.
Safety Surfaces
The surfacing material on a playground is one of the most important factors in children’s safety. It can either cushion falls to prevent injuries or increase the impact on children’s skin if it is too hard. Injuries from falls to surfaces are responsible for over 70 percent of playground injuries. The most popular surfacing types include engineered wood fiber (EWF), recycled rubber mulch, poured-in-place rubber and synthetic turf. All offer shock absorbency, durability and color options that can match the theme of the playground.
Solid rubber surface options are the most expensive but offer excellent ADA accessibility and slip-resistance for strollers and wheelchairs. They can also be molded to fit specific play structures to provide a safe surfacing that allows access to all equipment. Bonded rubber is another unitary surface that uses clean, shredded recycled rubber to create a long-lasting, environmentally responsible safety product. It is bonded together using a polyurethane binder to allow for maximum flexibility and is available in a wide range of colors.
Inclusive Play Equipment
Incorporating inclusive play equipment, which is designed to allow kids of all ages and abilities to interact with each other, improves the 안전놀이터. Social interaction, such as playing with peers, teaches kids how to negotiate conflict, resolve issues, take turns and recognize emotions in others. Inclusive playgrounds also help families with children with different disabilities enjoy outdoor recreation together. These playgrounds offer equipment that is accessible to a wide range of children and allows for multiple levels of difficulty.
Using best-in-class safety surfacing, zones for different activities that are age-appropriate and posting signs that indicate the recommended height of equipment can also help keep kids safe. Parents, care givers and teachers should always supervise children on playground equipment. They should ensure children are not using a playground while wearing clothing with drawstrings or strings that could get caught on equipment and encourage kids to use sunscreen. In addition, they should check for signs of rust and other damage to equipment on a regular basis.
Best-In-Class Safety Surfacing
When kids fall at playground equipment, best-in-class safety surfacing is essential. It can help to minimize injuries from head impact and prevent serious injuries like fractured limbs and spinal trauma. The surfacing is designed to absorb the energy of children who hit equipment or land on it and can be made with durable, rounded safe materials that don’t require constant maintenance. Loose fill wood fiber, rubber mulch and synthetic turf are great options for quality safety surfacing on a budget. They also require a little bit of regular raking and occasional topping off.
Poured rubber is a good option for high-traffic areas and provides excellent shock absorption. It’s also soft enough to not splinter and can be customized with inlaid shapes, logos, games and color. It also conforms to ADA accessibility requirements for wheelchair and mobility devices. Another good choice is GT Impax bonded rubber which has a solid surface that is easy to maintain and offers a variety of colors.
Supervision
Many playground-related injuries occur because of poor or insufficient supervision. Adults should be trained to actively supervise children in the playground, observe and monitor potential hazards, intercede during play, and facilitate group games that promote safe risk-taking. In order to effectively supervise, staff should be able to see all of the equipment from one point in the space. To ensure this, obstructive elements should be moved or removed from the area. To minimize the risk of teasing or bullying, adults should establish and enforce a zero-tolerance policy for physical violence on the playground. This should include verbal abuse as well, such as teasing or insults.
Using the right supervision strategies will ensure that kids of all ages can expand their imaginations and learn valuable social skills while playing in a safe environment. With the proper safety surfaces, equipment, and supervision plan in place, your playground will be a positive, fun-filled destination for everyone. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you create a safer, more inclusive playground.
More Words
A safety playground provides an environment for children to enjoy the physical and social benefits of outdoor play. In addition to providing age-appropriate equipment, a safe playground has safe surfacing and a clear area in front of slides to mitigate falling hazards.
