Parents sometimes think of playgrounds as “drop zones” for their kids — keep an eye or an ear out, but otherwise settle in on a bench while your child burns off energy. Nearly 170,000 children were injured on playgrounds in 2019, and a few moments of careful attention could keep your child from joining those ranks. When you get to a playground, check out the surfaces underneath the equipment, especially equipment that allows children to jump or hang from it. The ground surface should be soft and shock absorbent. Check equipment for visible dangers — loose or missing pieces, sharp angles, broken supports, etc. For more tips, get a copy of the VIRTUS® article “Playground Checklist” at Playground Safety Considerations.

Additional Resources:

• Public Playground Safety Checklist
• Playground Guides and Checklists