Texas Children's Hospital - Prevent playground injuries

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Prevent playground injuries

Playground injury statistics

As a result of accidents on playgrounds at home, at school and in public areas, more than 200,000 children ages 14 years and younger visit U.S. emergency departments each year according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
Children 5 years old to 9 years old have the highest rate for playground injuries. School is the site for the majority of these injuries.
On public playgrounds, more children are injured on climbing equipment than any other attraction.
Swings are responsible for most injuries on home playgrounds.

Tips for preventing playground injuries

Isolate plagrounds from nearby streets.
Pay attention to layout. Separate busy areas with popular attractions from calmer play zones. Place areas for older kids away from areas with younger children. Arrange play components in a pattern that provides ample space for entering and exiting equipment.
Assemble and install equipment according to manufacturer’s directions. Avoid components or accessories with angles or openings that could trap or squeeze any part of a child’s body. Install guardrails on elevated platforms and select sturdy hand grips that are designed specifically for use by kids.
Be certain that inspection and maintenance occur regularly. Eliminate careless litter or environmental hazards that can cause or compound an injury.
Do not use a hard ground surface such as asphalt or concrete. Incorporate cushioned materials such as wood chips or sand. Refresh as needed.
When selecting children’s clothes, watch for loose strings or bulky closures that can become tangled in play equipment
Insist on conscientious adult supervision.