There is only one thing popping out of a child’s mind when its school’s out — going to the playground. The playground offers a lot of activities for children to have fun. It also helps children develop their physical, mental, and psychological well-being at an early stage. Aside from playgrounds as the place of fun, it also poses dangers for children. In the United States, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 200,000 children up to the age of 14 are being treated in the emergency room because of playground-related injuries. To help playground owners, here are safety tips for commercial playground facilities.
Tone Down Sharp Edges
Inspect if the play equipment has shown signs of wear and tear – especially if there are sharp objects or protrusions, make sure to sand down the edges. On the other hand, anything that could accidentally pierce children, such as open s-hooks and protruding bolts. Play equipment manufacturers have since phased out sharp edges or curves that may cause scrapes. Instead, soft edges with round protrusions are built.
Ropes Out Fine Mesh In
Make it a habit to check ropes, nets, or other materials that have the potential ability to cause dangling injuries to children. Ropes are increasingly being phased out as a climbing mechanism, instead, manufacturers are switching to tough fine mesh nets that acts as a safety barrier. While safety nets are built fine and durable, it is advisable for playground owners to check for tears. When large tears are present, it is time to order and install a replacement.
Cushion and Shock Pads
Always make sure to have a shock absorbent mat readily waiting for where children will land from a fall. Make sure that there is also a 15cm layer of mulch, wood chips, or shredded rubber to serve as protection for equipment that serves as landing pads.
Protective Surfaces
Aside from shock absorbent mats, the playground should have protective surfaces all around, especially for indoor playgrounds. These can be mats or specialty vinyl that serves as the first line of layer on steel or food made play equipment.
Swing Spaces
If your playground has swings, make sure there is enough space in between, around, and even the bottom of the swing. On the other hand, the swing set should be comprised of soft materials and must be safely secured, especially when it is a rather popular point of interaction.
There are many factors why injuries happen. It’s the responsibility of the playground owner to make sure their equipment is safe and well-maintained. So, if you’re new in the playground business, make sure to find an experienced commercial playground manufacturer. When it comes to experience, iREC has years of experience when it comes to designing, installing, and manufacturing playground equipment. For more information, call +63 47 250 2779 or email sales@irec.ph.