Playground safety

PLAYGROUNDS ARE FUN and can provide a great opportunity for exercise and family togetherness. But kids 17 and younger are at risk for falls at the playground. These falls can result in injuries and may even require a trip to the emergency department.

From 2016 to 2020, Kentucky youths made approximately 2,095 visits to emergency departments due to playground falls. Fifty-two percent of those children were between the ages of 5 and 8. The most common playground fall-related injuries seen in the emergency department among youth were fractures (56%), superficial injuries or contusions (15%) and open wounds (8%). Most of the injuries treated affected kids’ legs/arms (73%) and head/neck (21%).

Keeping track of kids on the playground can be a difficult task. Here’s a checklist to review to keep your children protected.

Make sure playground equipment that is more than 2 1/2 feet tall is spaced at least 9 feet from any other equipment. 

The surface surrounding the playground equipment should have at least a foot of materials (mulch, sand, wood chips, etc.) to protect against injuries from falls.

These materials need to extend at least 6 feet in all directions from the playground equipment.

Look for protruding fasteners (bolts), sharp points and edges, and other hardware that can pose dangers to kids.

Look for tripping hazards. These can include raised surfaces, exposed concrete footings, rocks and tree roots.

Make sure all elevated surfaces have guardrails to help prevent falls and injuries.

Supervise your kids when they are on the playground. 

Teach kids to safely and properly use playground equipment.

Bringing your children to the playground should make for an exciting and active day. As a parent, it is important to always be aware of your surroundings and your children playing there.

ASHLEY BUSH is research program administrator at the University of Kentucky College of Public Health.