General Safety Facts:

-The highest rates of injuries on school playgrounds are associated with climbing equipment which is dangerous if not used properly.
-200,000 U.S. children are sent to the emergency room each year because of accidents on playground equipment.
-Approximately 15 children in the United States die each year because of accidents on playground equipment.

 

The 3 Most Important Rules:

1.) Only one person on each piece of equipment at a time.
2.) Always use two hands on the equipment whenever possible.
3.) Use common sense. We’ve gone over all the rules - follow them.

Fitness Equipment Safety:

-Use the equipment in moderation. It takes time for hands to "toughen up" on this sort of equipment. -Overuse can cause blisters.

-Only one student should attempt to cross the monkey bars at a time. If a student is unable to make it all the way across, that student must attempt to land on their feet. Students may not walk across the top of the monkey bars. Students must also use two hands when climbing the ladder to reach the horizontal ladder.

-The pull-up bars must be used for pull-ups or hanging from the hands. Swinging on these bars may knock over other students walking by this equipment. Students should never attempt gymnastic moves such as a skin the cat, pinwheel, or any type of swing. Never hang upside down from the pull-up bars.

-The fireman’s pole can be used improve upper body strength by using a "pull-up" type motion to elevate the body. The most important safety concern with this piece of equipment is that students should not stand near the bottom of this equipment when another student is coming down from the pole.

-The ladders can be used to climb up and down. Students should not sit on top of this piece of equipment. The most important safety concern is that students should use two hands at all times when climbing up and down the ladders.

-The mulch around this fitness equipment is very important. The mulch is put down to prevent bad accidents. If a student were to have an accident the mulch would cushion the fall. It’s important to keep the mulch within the boundaries of this equipment. Students should never kick or throw mulch out of this area. Thrown/Kicked mulch can get in the eyes of other students and it also takes away the cushioning that may prevent a serious accident.

-Never push or roughhouse on any of the equipment

-Playground equipment should never be used if it is wet because moisture causes the equipment to be slippery.

-Don’t wear clothes with drawstrings or other strings at the playground. Drawstrings, necklaces, or dangling clothing could get caught on equipment and hurt a child.

Main Playground Equipment Safety:

-Students should always use two hands when climbing up and down all ladders. Only one student should be on a ladder at one time.

-Only one student at a time should be on the circled monkey bars. This safety rule is important because students usually swing to get from one rung to another. By allowing only one student to travel across the rungs it will prevent other students from being knocked off the bars.

-Only one student should ride each track ride (zip line) at a time. Students should hold the track ride bar with two hands and push off with their feet to gain momentum. Students should never push other students to increase speed on this equipment. Near the end of this ride the equipment does absorb the speed and allow for the student to dismount without injury. Other students should not stand in the way of a student on this equipment. Students should be discouraged from racing on this equipment. Students unable to reach this equipment should not be permitted to use it. Students may not lift other students up in order to grab these handles.  Students should not use chairs to access this equipment.

-Students should take their time while crossing over the balance beam. Only one student at a time should attempt to cross the beam. It’s particularly important to make sure that mulch is underneath and around this beam to cushion any falls.

-The slides are meant for students to slide down (not climb up). Use the slides properly - slide feet first. The slides have handles at the top for the students hold on to while preparing their bodies to slide down. Students should use these handle bars.

-Always hold on to the railings while climbing up steps. Some of the steps on this playground are slightly rounded. Always use two hands to hold on to the railings on the bridge.

-The ladders can be used to climb up and down. Students should not sit on top of this piece of equipment. The most important safety concern is that students should use two hands at all times when climbing up and down the ladders.

-Students should bounce on the U bounce and not the three lily pads. The U bounce has hand rails and the lily pads do not. Students should simply walk across the lily pads from one end to the other.
If any playground equipment looks loose or broken students should let an adult know immediately.

-The mulch around the playground is very important. The mulch is put down to prevent bad accidents. If a student were to have an accident the mulch would cushion the fall. It’s important to keep the mulch within the boundaries of this equipment. Students should never kick or throw mulch out of this area. Thrown/Kicked mulch can get in the eyes of other students and it also takes away the cushioning that may prevent a serious accident.

-Students should never hang upside down from any of the equipment.

-Never push or roughhouse on any of the equipment.

-Playground equipment should never be used if it is wet because moisture causes the equipment to be slippery.

-Don’t wear clothes with drawstrings or other strings at the playground. Drawstrings, necklaces, or dangling clothing could get caught on equipment and hurt a child.

-Students should run, chase, play tag, etc. on the fields, not the playground.