Playground Safety Tips

Each year, more than 200,000 children end up in the emergency room as the result of a playground-related injury. To help reduce the risk for such injuries, Children’s Health recommends the following: choose the right playground equipment for your child’s age and skills; when possible, choose playgrounds with surfaces made from wood chips or shredded rubber to lessen the risk of injury; dress your child properly and avoid necklaces, scarves, purses, or clothing that could get caught around their neck or pose a hazard; use play equipment properly (don’t climb slides or jump from swings); and supervise your child closely while playing on the monkey bars, which cause half of all serious playground falls. Children’s Health, July 2021