Jutting pieces of hardware can cause serious injuries.

There should be nothing that would snag pieces of clothing, jewelry, or strings.

Outdated playground equipment can be extremely dangerous. For example, during the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s, heavy metal animal swings were commonplace on playgrounds. This equipment can act as a lethal battering ram, potentially injuring children who walk in front of them.

Play activities should be designed for children with varying ages and abilities.

Falling is the number one cause of injuries on the playground. A child falling on a hard surface such as concrete or even grass can be seriously injured or even killed. The material underneath and around the playground should be resilient.

All hardware as well as the playground surface should be in good shape. Rust and other signs of deterioration may signal poor maintenance.

Refer to the ASTM F-1487-98 Standard or the Consumer Product Safety Commission guidelines for specific use zone requirements.

Surfaces should be smooth and level, with no tree stumps or roots.

The general rule is to allow a minimum use zone of six feet around playground equipment. Refer to the ASTM F-1487-98 Standard or the Consumer Product Safety Commission guidelines for specific use zone requirements.