Playground Safety Checklist

Playground equipment has at least 12 inches of wood chips, mulch, sand, or pea gravel, or are mats made of safety-tested rubber or rubber-like materials.

Protective surfacing extends at least 6 feet in all directions from play equipment. For swings, be sure surfacing extends, in back and front, twice the height of the suspending bar.

Play structures are more than 30 inches high are spaced at least 9 feet apart.

No dangerous hardware, like open "S" hooks or protruding bolt ends.

Spaces that could trap children, such as openings in guardrails or between ladder rungs, measure less than 3.5 inches or more than 9 inches.

No sharp points or edges in equipment

No tripping hazards, like exposed concrete footings, tree stumps, and rocks.

Elevated surfaces, like platforms and ramps, have guardrails to prevent falls.

Check playgrounds regularly to see that equipment and surfacing are in good condition.

Carefully supervise children on playgrounds to make sure they're safe.