Strategies for Preventing Playground Accidents at Schools

Playgrounds are an ideal setting for children to socialize and engage in physical activity, with some studies showing that 40% of a child’s daily movement can be obtained during recess. Giving students the opportunity to play freely is important for social, cognitive, and physical development, and has also been linked to reduced stress and anxiety. However, playground equipment and activities also create increased risk and can lead to student accidents and injuries. In this blog we’ll cover which equipment is the most dangerous, the most common accidents and hazards, as well as strategies to improve your district’s playground safety.

Why Should You Prioritize Playground Safety?

In a playground safety analysis conducted by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), “45% of the injuries involving public [playground] equipment occurred in schools.” Not only do unsafe playgrounds pose a risk to the wellbeing of your students, but they can also open your district up to liability. At a school district in Billings, MT, a judge awarded $31,831 to the family of a second grader injured after she fell into a concrete window well while playing on the playground during recess. It might also be a stipulation of your insurance, with most insurance companies requiring regular inspections and maintenance of school playgrounds.

Most Dangerous Playground Equipment

Certain types of playground equipment can pose elevated risks, especially if not appropriately designed or maintained. It’s crucial for school administrators to be aware of potential dangers associated with specific playground equipment. Below are the top three pieces of equipment most often linked to injury as well as mitigation strategies:

1. Swings:

Risk Factors: Swings, although a playground classic, can lead to serious injuries if not used properly. Common issues include collisions, falls from heights, and entanglement with the swing’s chains.

Mitigation Strategies: Ensure that swings are well-spaced and separated from other equipment to avoid collisions. Install a soft surface underneath, and establish clear rules for safe swinging, including appropriate spacing between users.

2. Climbers:

Risk Factors: CPSC shares that “about one-half (53 percent) of the injuries involving public equipment occurred on climbers. About 60 percent of the injuries on climbers occurred on various configurations of overhead ‘horizontal ladders.’”

Climbers present a risk of falls, which can lead to fractures or head injuries. Inadequate spacing between bars may also pose an entrapment hazard.

Mitigation Strategies: Ensure proper installation with a soft-landing surface underneath. Consider incorporating age-appropriate designs and providing alternative climbing structures to reduce the concentration of children.

3. Slides:

Risk Factors: Slides, especially those with steep inclines, can lead to high-velocity descents, resulting in collisions or falls. Overcrowding at the top of slides may also cause accidents.

Mitigation Strategies: Opt for slides with appropriate slopes and provide clear rules on usage. Monitor slide exits to prevent overcrowding and ensure a soft-landing surface at the base.

Most Common Playground Accidents

While playgrounds will probably never be injury or accident free, understanding the common risks allows administrators to implement preventive measures and plan for emergencies effectively. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons shares that the most common playground accidents “that require a doctor’s care are:

• Broken bones (fractures)
• Sprains and strains
• Internal organ injuries
• Dislocations
• Concussions”

Top Playground Hazards

Ensuring playground safety involves a proactive approach to identifying and addressing common hazards that can pose risks to children. By being aware of these potential dangers, school administrators can implement preventive measures to create a safer play environment. Let’s explore some of the most common playground safety hazards:

• Fall hazards: Fractures and head injuries are common playground injuries. About 80% are caused by falls from playground equipment.
• Crush and shear points: Equipment with moving parts may create crush and shear hazards and cause contusions, lacerations, amputation, or fractures.
• Entanglement and impalement: A protrusion hazard is a component or piece of hardware that could cut or impale the skin.
• Head entrapment: A child’s head can become entrapped in openings on equipment.
• Sharp points, corners, and edges: Playground equipment with sharp points, corners and edges can cut or puncture the skin.
• Strings and ropes: Cords, jump ropes, dog leashes and other objects attached to playground equipment create a strangulation hazard.
• Tripping hazards: Common tripping hazards include elevation changes, walls used to contain loose surfacing materials and equipment anchors.

13 Strategies for Preventing School Playground Accidents

Creating a safe and enjoyable playground environment requires a proactive approach that encompasses training, supervision, education, and emergency planning. By implementing the following strategies, school administrators can significantly reduce the risk of playground accidents and foster a secure space for children to play and grow.

1. Train Staff: One of the best ways to improve the safety of your playgrounds is to consistently train your staff. You’ll want to regularly train playground supervisors on things like safety protocols, emergency procedures, looking for and reporting equipment hazards, and the importance of active engagement.

2. Provide Appropriate Supervision: 40% of playground injuries are associated with a lack of supervision. Maintain an appropriate staff-to-student ratio to ensure vigilant oversight during playtime.

Along with designing and maintaining safe playgrounds, alert and attentive supervision is needed to protect the safety and wellbeing of students. School staff responsible for the care of students must take reasonable measures to ensure the safety of any student under their care and to protect students from harm. A higher standard of care is required for younger students and students with disabilities.

3. Proper Inspections: Conduct routine inspections of playground equipment and surfacing. Regularly check for wear, damage, or potential hazards. Promptly address any issues through repairs or replacements to maintain a safe play environment. Jump below for inspection and maintenance best practices.

4. Create Play Zones: Many playground injuries are caused from collisions between students or by students running into stationary equipment. Playground activities should be separated into different play areas:

• Physical, energetic activities should be separate from more passive or quiet activities.
• Running and chasing games should be prohibited around playground equipment.
• Popular games involving many students should be played in separate areas.

For playgrounds with students of varying ages, the play area should be divided into separate areas based on age.

5. Teach Students Playground Safety: Integrate playground safety education into the curriculum. It is important that students understand how to engage in playground activities correctly and safely. Students should be informed of the dangers associated with each type of playground equipment and taught how to safely use each type of equipment.

6. Plan for Emergencies: A plan should be in place (or, if necessary, created) for possible emergencies. Plans should address:

• How to seek assistance. Walkie-talkie and cell phones are the most efficient forms of communication.
• Who to notify during a crisis. This includes staff members such as building administrators and the school nurse, and how emergency personnel will be contacted.
• What students are to do during and following a crisis.

Nearly half of the injuries that occur on playgrounds are severe. A fully stocked first aid kit should always be available. At least one school staff member on the playground should have information readily available about student medical issues such as food allergies, asthma, and bee stings.

All injuries should be reported, responded to, and documented according to school and district policy.

7. Consider Accessibility: By prioritizing playground accessibility, administrators not only create a safer environment for all children but also promote a sense of belonging and acceptance. The National Program for Playground Safety shares that, according to ADA, an accessible playground will offer a range of play experiences to children of varying abilities. There must be:

• An accessible path:
  • From the building or parking lot to the edge of the play area.
  • From the edge of the play area to the play equipment.
• Surfacing that complies with ASTM 1951.

8. Prevent Bullying: Address and prevent bullying behaviors on the playground. Promote inclusivity, teach conflict resolution skills, and foster a positive social environment. A supportive atmosphere reduces the risk of accidents related to interpersonal conflicts.

9. Standardize Hazard Reporting & Response:  Implement a standardized system for reporting and addressing hazards. Encourage staff, students, and even parents to report any potential safety concerns promptly. Playground hazards will vary in terms of severity, and the following should be taken into consideration:

• Emergency situations that are likely to cause serious injury must be addressed immediately.
• Plans should exist for how to address conditions that are likely to deteriorate to emergency situations.
• Guidelines should exist for how to handle minor, non-emergency situations that can be remedied with a quick and simple fix.

Problems found during inspections should be documented, communicated, and mitigated as soon as possible. All maintenance and repairs should follow manufacturer recommendations. Retain all maintenance and repair records. Similarly, keep all playground accident and injury reports. These can be used to identify and correct potential hazards and dangerous design features. A systematic approach ensures that hazards are identified and resolved in a timely manner.

10.   Implement Accident Reporting:  Establish a clear protocol for reporting and documenting playground accidents. Accurate record-keeping provides valuable insights into incident patterns, allowing for targeted preventive measures and continuous improvement of safety measures.

11.   Secure Playground Areas: Playgrounds should be fully enclosed and accessible only from the inside of a school building. Playground gates should be locked during school hours. Visitors should be required to follow the school’s regular sign-in procedure before being permitted to visit a playground.

12.   Encourage Communication: Young students usually have multiple recesses throughout the school day, monitored by different adults. There should be consistent rules, procedures, and consequences for each. Good communication between staff members ensures consistency across different recesses. Staff will need ways to create reports and communicate with each other, such as with data collection tools.

13.   Collaborate with your Physical Education Teachers: It is important that students understand and follow the rules of games and cooperate while playing together. One idea is to teach the rules and how to play recess games in physical education classes. Students should be taught how to run games for themselves. Having to lead or referee games interferes with a playground monitor’s ability to supervise the entire playground area.

By diligently applying these 13 strategies, school administrators can create a playground environment that prioritizes safety, minimizes risks, and maximizes the positive impact of play on a child’s development. These proactive measures contribute to a culture of safety that extends beyond the playground, fostering a secure and nurturing educational environment.

Playgrounds are associated with FUN – they are a space specifically designed for the enjoyment of children. Prioritizing playground safety is an investment in the well-being and future success of every student. By understanding common playground accidents, top safety hazards, and adopting targeted strategies for improvement, administrators play a crucial role in fostering an environment where students can play, learn, and grow safely.