Common hazards for children in play areas include:
Good example of shade over areas of the playground.
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Lighting and Shade
Access to sun and shade is beneficial to children while they play outdoors. Light exposure of the skin to sunlight promotes the production of vitamin D that growing children require for bone development and immune system health.
Exposure to sun is needed, but children must be protected from excessive exposure.
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(Sufficient outdoor lighting is required when the play area is used at dusk and places where children can escape the sun’s heat and ultraviolet rays must be provided.)
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Slides, Swings and Climbing Equipment
There needs to be sufficient space around swings, slides, etc., for children and adults to move around safely on the play area.
All climbing, swinging, and sliding equipment should be secured to the ground and stable. Concrete footings and anchors for this equipment must not be visible.
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(Make sure there are no breaks or exposed sharp edges on the sliding surface or gaps between the platform and the slide where clothing can get caught.)
Swings
Use only soft swing seats.
Hazardous swing
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Swings generally require more space than is available in many child care center outdoor play areas.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) guidelines recommend that you have a minimum distance of twice the height from the pivot point to the protective surfacing (both in front of and in back of the swings). If the distance from the ground to the pivot point measures 6 feet, the use zone for swings would be 12 feet in front of the swing and 12 feet to the rear.
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Make sure all mounts are tight and that links are in good condition. Remove broken swings from the frame immediately (do not wrap them around the upper bar).
Tire swings (Make sure the tire has holes drilled in the bottom to prevent water from collecting and the swing does not hit the side posts as children use it.)
Tricycles and other wheeled toys
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Riding toys can provide much enjoyment for children. However, because of their high center of gravity and speed, they often cause injuries in young children. Wheels with spokes can potentially cause entrapment injuries.
Wearing helmets when children are learning to use riding toys or wheeled equipment teaches children the practice of wearing helmets while using any riding toy or wheeled equipment.
Children should remove their helmets when they are no longer using a riding toy or wheeled equipment because helmets can be a potential strangulation hazard if they are worn for other activities (such as playing on playground equipment, climbing trees, etc.) and/or worn incorrectly.
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(Ensure pedals and handles have covers and teach children to wear helmets when they ride on wheeled toys.)
Guardrails
Provide guardrails for elevated play areas and stairs.
Guardrails are required for elevated play areas.
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Guardrails are designed to protect against falls from elevated surfaces, but do not discourage climbing or protect against climbing through or under. Protective barriers protect against all three and provide greater protection. Guardrails are not recommended to use for infant and toddlers; protective barriers should be used instead.
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(The space between guardrails should be less than 3 ½ inches or more than 9 inches so that children cannot become entrapped.)
For more information, see Standard 5.1.6.6: Guardrails and Protective Barriers at: http://cfoc.nrckids.org/StandardView/5.1.6.6
Merry-go-rounds
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Merry-go-rounds may present a physical hazard to young children who have little or no control over such equipment once they are in motion.
(These are dangerous and not age-appropriate for preschool age and younger children.)
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Merry-go-rounds are hazardous for preschool-age and younger children.
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Reference for this page:
National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education
6.1 Play Area/Playground Size and Location
http://cfoc.nrckids.org/StandardView/6.1
National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education
6.1 Play Area/Playground Size and Location
http://cfoc.nrckids.org/StandardView/6.1
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