It’s Outdoor Play Time!

It’s that time of year when we hear the laughter and noise of neighborhood children running and playing outdoors, carefree and full of life. Once children ourselves, we realize the importance of childhood play; every child deserves a safe place to have fun. Outdoor recreation environments allow children that special area to be with friends, to grow physically, socially, emotionally, and intellectually and just to have fun being a kid! It is important that when community associations provide outdoor play areas for children, such environments are safe for everyone.

If you are planning on constructing a playground or adding a recreational amenity in your community, consider these factors first:

Select a playground area that is easy and adequately accessible
Ensure good clear sight lines that allow parents or caregivers to keep track of the children as they play
Consider age separation equipment and zones
Evaluate equipment uses and conflicting activities to prevent injury to children who are running from one activity to another
Signage should remind those desiring to play of scale and design limitations associated with the age of the intended user.
Supervision – be aware that not all playground equipment is appropriate for all ages

What preventative measures should your association ponder to assist in safety protection for all children? Consider age appropriate equipment that at a minimum separates children of ages 2 – 5 and 5 -12. U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in its free Public Playground Safety Handbook suggests even further age grouping such as K-2, 3-4 and 5-6. Also do not forget to consider the needs of children with disabilities; the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has Play Area Guidelines which can provide valuable direction when planning community playgrounds.

After deciding on the age appropriate separation, consider the type of fall surface to be used. We all know when children play, they will fall. The surfacing under and around the playground equipment is one of the most important factors in reducing the likelihood of life-threatening injuries. A playground should never be installed without protective surfacing of some type. Nor should you ever create a play area on asphalt, dirt, concrete or even grass. A soft cushion for falls must be considered unless the equipment in place requires the child to be standing or sitting at ground level. There are numerous soft landing surfaces to consider such as sand, shredded wooden products, or rubber chips/mats or tiles but loose fill should be avoided for play areas intended for toddlers.

We know children should always be supervised when playing in the outdoor environment. Therefore, playgrounds should be designed to allow parents and caregivers clear vision so they can keep track of children as they move throughout the playground. When there are age-specific play areas, the older children’s area should be visible from the younger children’s area to allow for supervision by those with multiple children various ages.

In recent years, it is estimated that, among playgrounds across the country, there were more than 156,000 injuries annually that required emergency room treatment. Some injuries are direct results of lack of proper supervision while many others are from lack of proper equipment maintenance. Routine maintenance should be conducted based on the manufacture’s recommendations and Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

A few basic guidelines are:

Check the equipment for broken equipment, gaps, and entanglements
Check the sealing, staining or painting needs for wooden play structures
Check for missing or damaged equipment components such as cracks in plastics
Ensure no opening between 3.5 – 9 inches exists where children’s heads or bodies could be trapped
Inspect for any broken equipment such as loose anchoring or bolts, missing end caps, cracks, etc.
Remove scattered debris, broken glass, litter, rocks or feces
Inspect for wood splitting, rusted or corroded metals, rot, worn or loose parts

As we welcome the summer season, consider having your playground inspected thoroughly by a certified playground specialist, then continue with frequent inspections and maintenance. A comprehensive maintenance program is highly recommended for excessive wear, deterioration and potential hazards. Our children are precious gifts to the world; as community leaders you want to watch them as they are growing, learning and making valuable memories. Take playground safety seriously and ensure these children enjoy their childhood without injury.

Vicki Ward
PCAM®, CMCA®, AMS®
President
Principal Management Group of Houston
Houston, TX